Explore Taule through its hiking trails as well as its architectural and artistic heritage. The routes vary in length and scenery: one trail passes ruins and crosses a footbridge, while another follows the banks of the Penzé estuary or winds through wooded sections. The historic sites also have their own distinctive features—from a preserved church tower to ecclesiastical furnishings. When choosing a route, you can therefore start with your preferred distance and then consider the themes that interest you most.

Hiking Routes by Distance and Scenery

The four routes described cover distances of 7 to 9 km. The Circuit du Bois de Lannigou is 7 km long. The Circuit de Penhoat, also called the Circuit des Deux Vallées, and the Circuit du Vieux Châtel are each 8 km long. At 9 km, the Circuit de Penzé, also known as the Circuit de l’Estuaire de la Penzé, is the longest of these routes. The Circuit de Penhoat takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to walk. This means you can factor in an estimated time as well as the distance when planning your day.

The routes also differ in their landscapes. The Circuit de Penhoat passes the ruins of the Château de Penhoat and crosses the Penzé on a footbridge. Along the 9 km Circuit de Penzé, the trail follows the banks of the Penzé estuary for 2 km. The two routes therefore differ not only in distance but also in what they offer: one features ruins and a river crossing, while the other includes a longer stretch alongside the estuary.

The Circuit du Bois de Lannigou passes through woodland with a wide variety of tree species. The Circuit du Vieux Châtel follows the Pennelée and a stream through the forest, climbing up to the Vieux Châtel. It is considered fairly easy, although the descent to the Moulin de Bigodou is somewhat challenging. This distinction is useful when assessing the route: the overall rating does not apply equally to every section. As trail conditions can change, take the specific route into account when planning.

Architecture and Heritage in Taule

The Clocher de l’ancienne église is the only surviving part of the 15th-century church in Taulé. The church tower was classified as a Monument historique in 1914. Its design features a thick, square tower with three buttresses, topped by a balustrade and a pyramidal spire. This structure draws attention both for its long history and for its distinctive architectural features.

The Jardin de Coat-Ilès has also been listed as a Monument historique, since October 9, 1990. The garden comprises three terraces with carefully constructed, stepped retaining walls. The terracing and walls give the garden a distinctive architectural structure. Their interplay is key to understanding the design: the levels are not simply part of the garden but are defined by the stepped walls.

The Église Notre-Dame de Penzé was rebuilt in 1789. Its furnishings include a reredos with pinnacles from the 17th century and a painting of the Assumption of Mary. There is also a Gothic polychrome wooden statue of the seated Virgin Mary. These details bring together different forms of religious art: the reredos with its painting and pinnacles on the one hand, and the brightly painted wooden sculpture on the other.

The Calvaire de Porsland was erected in 1554 and is one of the oldest wayside crosses in Taulé. It overlooks the Coatanlzac’h valley. The Chapelle Saint-Herbot houses a crucifix and old statues of Saint Herbot and Saint Avertin. Together, these places reveal different aspects of sacred heritage, from a dated wayside cross in the landscape to religious furnishings inside a chapel.

Castel-an-Trébez and the River Landscape

Castel-an-Trébez is a protohistoric fortified site at the confluence of the Rivière de Morlaix and the Pennelée. From there, you can look north toward the Rivière de Morlaix. This site combines a distinct setting with a historical identity: the confluence describes its location, while its designation as a fortified site highlights its cultural significance. Castel-an-Trébez thus complements the buildings and sacred sites with a different perspective on Taule’s river landscape.

Discover more destinations: Plounéour-Ménez, Elliant, Porspoder, Pleuven, Treogat, Loc-Brévalaire, Berrien, Plouezoch

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