Meslan offers two distinct ways to plan a trip: cultural heritage sites with clearly dated building histories, and outdoor activities. The Church of Saint-Melaine, the Bonigeard calvary, and other chapels are the cultural highlights. For outdoor pursuits, there is the Véloroute-Voie Verte, numerous walking trails, and mountain biking routes. The Ellé features in the area’s story both as the western boundary of the commune and as a place for fishing and taking a break by the river. You can shape your stay around heritage sites, trails, or both.
Church of Saint-Melaine: a layered building history
The Church of Saint-Melaine has been listed as a historic monument since 15 May 1925. It was rebuilt in 1577; only the wall of the north aisle remains from the original building. The carved beams also date from the 16th century. Their grotesque portraits caricature the people of the time. Together, these details tell of different periods: the surviving section of wall points to the original church, while the beams combine the imagery of the 16th century with a satirical touch. For those interested in architecture and culture, the appeal lies in the fact that a specific motif has been preserved alongside a precise date.
Calvary and chapels in Bonigeard and Ouennec
The Bonigeard calvary dates from the 16th century, has been listed as a historic monument since 1933, and is considered one of the largest calvaries in the Morbihan département. Alongside the monument, the devotional spring points to another form of local piety: it contains a statue of Saint Diboen, who is associated with the healing of ear ailments.
The chapels also have distinct building histories. The Chapelle Sainte-Catherine in Bonigeard dates from the 17th century; an inscription on its panelling is dated 1698. The chapel in the hamlet of Ouennec was built in 1641 and 1642, and altered in 1754 and 1919. The inscription in Bonigeard is a dated detail on the panelling; the construction and alteration dates shape the chronology of Ouennec.
VĂ©loroute, walking trails, and mountain biking
The Véloroute-Voie Verte runs from Berné via Kerflémic in Meslan and continues to Le Faouët, serving sporting, everyday, and tourist purposes. Meslan also has numerous walking trails and mountain biking routes. This brings together a named route and various types of trails: the Véloroute is not just for tourists, while walking and mountain biking offer additional ways to explore. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the cycle route, walking trails, and mountain biking routes, and plan your days accordingly.
The Ellé and the Natura 2000 site
To the west, the Ellé forms the boundary of Meslan, separating the commune from Lanvénégen and Le Faouët. The Ellé in Meslan offers opportunities for fishing and taking a refreshing break by the river. The river therefore plays two different roles: it helps define the location of the commune and is also a place to spend time by the water. Meslan is part of the Natura 2000 site “Rivière Elle” (FR5300006), which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. The corresponding amendment to the designation was published in the Journal officiel on 7 February 2022.
Discover more destinations: Noyalo, Saint-Jacut-les-Pins, ĂŽle D'houat, Roudouallec, Rochefort-En-Terre, Ploemeur, Plouay, Nostang
For the full travel overview: Morbihan.
