Discover Saint-Jean-Du-Doigt through its different highlights: time at the large sandy beach, paths along the coast, and historic cultural sites. When choosing accommodation, it may help to first consider whether swimming and relaxation, a hike, or the parish enclosure and its history should be the focus.
Beach, Cliffs, and Cycling Route
The large sandy beach is ideal for swimming and relaxation. For a seaside hike, the GR34 runs through the Baie de Morlaix along the cliffs of Saint-Jean-Du-Doigt. This offers two distinct options: time at the beach or a coastal hike.
Cyclists can also include a cultural destination: the Plougasnou–Plestin-les-Grèves stage of La Vélomaritime, also known as EuroVelo 4, leads to the historic parish enclosure of Saint-Jean-Du-Doigt. The parish enclosure is therefore also a destination on this named cycling stage.
Two Circular Routes for Different Time Budgets
The Vallée des Moulins circular route is an easy 6 km hike with a stated duration of 2 hours. It starts at Place Robert Le Meur, to the left of the Hôtel Ty-Pont. The Maison du Gouverneur, built in 1562, is part of the route.
For a longer, moderately difficult route, the Pointe de Runglaz circular route covers 14.5 km and has a stated duration of 4 hours. It also starts at Place Robert Le Meur, to the left of the HĂ´tel Ty-Pont. The figures make the differences in distance, difficulty, and time commitment concrete: two hours on an easy hike or four hours on a moderately difficult one.
Parish Enclosure, Church, and Treasury
The parish enclosure includes the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste and its ossuary, as well as a triumphal arch, a calvary, an oratory, a fountain, and the cemetery. The church and its other features make it a diverse historic complex. The parish enclosure and the church treasury room are open to visitors free of charge all year round.
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste was completed in 1512. According to tradition, Duke Jean V laid its foundation stone as early as August 1, 1440. The two dates refer to different historical claims: 1440 belongs to the tradition, while 1512 is the year the church was completed.
The treasury of the Église Saint-Jean-Du-Doigt contains around twenty exceptional works of goldsmithing, including religious and pilgrimage objects. The first floor of the Maison des Peintres offers an impressive panorama. The house was set up as a studio for artists staying at the hotel.
Pardons and Music
The Pardon de Saint-Jean-Du-Doigt takes place every year on the last Sunday in June. During the procession, the route leads to the calvary and the fountain at Pen Ar Chra, where the Tantad, or St. John’s fire, is lit. Another annual pardon is held in August at the Chapelle Saint-Mélar. The chapel was built in an open field between 1601 and 1621.
The FĂŞte du Violon adds another cultural highlight: this popular festival takes place every two years and welcomes experienced violinists as well as amateurs. The regular dates of the pardons and the biennial rhythm of the violin festival offer different occasions to plan a stay around cultural events.
You can plan your stay around how you would like to balance outdoor activities, swimming, and culture.
Discover more destinations: Trégarantec, Garlan, Hanvec, Landévennec, Île-De-Batz, Confort-Meilars, Plouédern, Trévignon.
For the full travel overview: Finistere.
