Beignon brings together a tangible trace of architectural history and hiking trails that reveal the town and the Aff Valley from different perspectives. Two details are particularly useful when planning a stay: the dates on the parish church of Saint-Pierre and the route information for the Circuit de Lancelot (n°80). This lets you consider culture, local architecture and landscape as distinct points of interest.
The church and local slate architecture
The parish church of Saint-Pierre features construction and decorative work from the second quarter of the 16th century. The nave’s beamwork bears the date 1539, while a choir window bears the date 1540. The two dates are only a year apart and refer to different parts of the building. This gives you specific points of reference for its architectural history: the dates mark the beamwork and the choir window, not the building as a whole.
Another perspective on Beignon is offered by the Boucle de la vallée de l’Aff (n°4). The Boucle de la vallée de l’Aff (n°4) gives visitors the opportunity to discover Beignon and its local slate-stone architecture. The focus thus extends beyond a single building to include the local building material. If you want to get to know Beignon through its architecture, this route offers a different focus from the parish church of Saint-Pierre.
Hiking trails and the landscape of the Aff Valley
The Aff Valley links the Brocéliande forest with the Coëtquidan heathlands. Forest and heath are therefore two named points of reference in the landscape. The Circuit de Lancelot (n°80) runs along the Aff Valley. The striking rocky outcrops of Casse-Cou lie on the opposite side of the valley.
The Circuit de Lancelot is a 7 km walking trail that starts in Beignon. It is rated easy and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The distance, difficulty rating and approximate duration provide different points of reference for planning your hike: the distance describes the route, while the time gives you an approximate timeframe. You can use these details together to estimate how much of your stay to set aside for the walk.
Stops along the circuit include the Jardin des Affolettes and the Rocher Glissant. At the Rocher Glissant, visitors can slide down the rock. The garden and the rock offer different highlights along the route; the trail’s course along the Aff Valley is another specific landscape feature of the circuit.
There is an important seasonal restriction to bear in mind when planning your visit: the Circuit de Lancelot is not permitted during the hunting season, from 15 September to 31 March. Check these dates before setting out if you plan to take the trail.
Beignon as a destination when looking for accommodation
For planning a hike, the Circuit de Lancelot provides specific information about distance, duration and season; for exploring the town and its slate architecture, the Boucle de la vallée de l’Aff (n°4) is a separate point of interest.
Discover more destinations: Buléon, Plougoumelen, Taupont, Ploërmel, Pluherlin, Île-Aux-Moines, Vannes, Ambon.
For the overview of the wider region: Morbihan.
