In Merléac, water engineering history, routes through the landscape and Breton heritage come together. The Rigole d’Hilvern runs through the commune as a voie verte for walking and cycling; Lac de Bosméléac offers routes and other activities too. Churches and chapels add specific historical and architectural details. You can tailor your stay to whether you prefer to spend time outdoors, explore historic buildings or combine both.

Rigole d’Hilvern and Lac de Bosméléac

The Rigole d’Hilvern runs through the commune of Merléac as a voie verte for walking and cycling. The route leads from the Barrage de Bosméléac to Le Quillio. The artificial watercourse itself is 65 km long and begins at the Oust, at the foot of the dam in Merléac. The route distance and the length of the watercourse therefore describe two different things. The Barrage de Bosméléac and its artificial reservoir were created in 1832 and 1838 to supply water to the Canal de Nantes à Brest via the Rigole. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Lac de Bosméléac extends across the territories of Allineuc, Le Bodéo, Merléac and St Martin des Près. Paths created by the Côtes d’Armor département allow you to walk a 5 km circular route around part of the reservoir. This figure describes a circuit by the lake, not the length of the Rigole. Fishing, walks, horse riding and mountain biking are also possible at Lac de Bosméléac. Activity rules and trail conditions may change; check the conditions that apply to your outing in advance.

The wildlife by the water is also shaped by the seasons. The western part of Lac de Bosméléac, known as the Queue du Lac, is a wintering and nesting area for waterbirds. Species mentioned there include great crested grebes and coots. Birdwatchers can experience the landscape from a different perspective here than on the paths: the focus is on a habitat whose importance becomes apparent throughout the seasons.

Churches, a chapel and local stories

The Chapelle Saint-Jacques stands in the hamlet of Saint-Léon in Merléac. It was probably built from the last third of the 14th century onwards and adorned in the following century with exceptional wall paintings, a painted wooden vault and a magnificent main stained-glass window. The chapel can be visited free of charge during the day. As opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check them before your visit.

The parish church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul in Merléac tells a later story of construction. It was built mainly in the second half of the 17th century. The year 1673 is inscribed on a blocked-up door in the south wall of the nave; side chapels and a baptistery were added in the 18th century. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, while the nave has a single aisle. The church thus reveals both the building’s original layout and its later additions.

Another cultural stop is the Balade Numérique de Bosméléac. At its information panels, you can scan a QR code to discover old photographs, unique testimonies and a story in Gallo. The digital content complements the visible sites with historical images and a regional language; the cultural project’s content may change over time.

Discover more destinations: Plélo, Runan, Guingamp, Landéhen, Evran, Bréhand, Erquy, Rospez.

For the wider travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.