The Chemin des Crêtes begins in Saint-Rémy-du-Plain and passes through a landscape whose history is also reflected in its paths and buildings. Along the 8.0 km route, views of the green bocage meet traces of earlier uses. In the village, the Église Saint-Rémy, a regionally significant chalice and a restored windmill add further points of interest. Saint-Rémy-Du-Plain can thus be explored through two distinct themes: the landscape along the trail and the local heritage.
Chemin des Crêtes: the history of the trail and bocage views
The Chemin des Crêtes follows former paths used for going to church and for smuggling. These two uses give the trail a history that goes beyond its current route description: the paths were once used both to go to church and to smuggle goods. At the same time, the trail offers views of the green bocage landscape and the neighboring villages of Bazouges-la-Pérouse, La Fontenelle, Antrain and Tremblay. Choosing this route therefore combines scenic impressions with a specific historical connection. The stated length of 8.0 km provides a clear framework for planning; the viewpoints also bring the neighboring villages into the landscape.
Église Saint-Rémy and regional religious art
The Église Saint-Rémy was built between 1878 and 1880 and opened for worship in November 1880. It is made of local granite and has the floor plan of a Latin cross. This term describes a cross-shaped layout in which the transept crosses the lengthwise nave. One work of art has a precisely identified location: the statue “Christ en croix” is in the southern wall area of the nave. The construction period, material and floor plan reveal different aspects of the church building; the statue’s location adds a specific interior detail to these architectural features.
Saint-Rémy-du-Plain’s religious heritage also includes the so-called “à flammes” chalice. It is one of the few surviving examples of this model from Upper Brittany. The name identifies the chalice as belonging to a particular form; its rarity gives it special significance within the region’s heritage. Together with the church, it draws attention both to the architecture and to individual works of art and objects of worship that have been handed down.
Windmill and historical memory
A restored old windmill stands on Rue du Moulin à Vent; the Chemin des Crêtes ends on this street. The mill’s lintel bears the inscription “FP Pierre Bourget JVSF 1744”. According to oral tradition, the windmill was in operation until around 1850. Two types of information remain distinct here: the inscription is recorded on the lintel, while the information about its operating period is explicitly based on oral tradition. The street name also refers to the windmill located there.
The Monument de Touchasse marks another historical chapter. It commemorates eight Maquisards from Broualan who were tortured and executed there by the Militia on July 7, 1944. The monument thus represents a specifically dated history of the Second World War, while the mill and church convey older traces of construction and use. Saint-Rémy-Du-Plain therefore offers a range of points of interest for planning your trip: the trail and its scenic views, religious architecture and regional art, as well as a memorial site with a precise historical context. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay focused on hiking and heritage, these highlights can help guide your choice of destination.
Discover more destinations: Montfort-Sur-Meu, Dinard, Chavagne, Hirel, Saint-Marcan, Saint-Malo, Saint-M'hervé, La Bouëxière.
For the broader travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
