In Saint-Thuriau, you can plan your stay around two distinct interests: the history of religious architecture and outdoor activities along the Nantes-Brest Canal. The chapels and Église Saint-Thuriau differ in their dates of construction and features. The canal crosses the commune and is suitable for walks, cycling and horse riding. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether cultural sites or outdoor activities should be the main focus of your trip.

Chapels and Church: Different Building Periods

Chapelle Notre-Dame de Joie de Gohazé dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. It was restored several times in the 19th and 20th centuries, while retaining its medieval and Renaissance character. Preserved features include the boundary wall, several échaliers (stile-like stone steps) and the calvary. The chapel stands on the banks of the Blavet at the western edge of Saint-Thuriau. Its construction history and these surviving features give a visit a clear historical focus.

Chapelle Saint-Mathias offers a different historical perspective: it was built in 1848 on the ruins of an older chapel. Extensive restoration work followed in the 1980s. The figures in the choir and the plasterwork were repaired, and the stained-glass windows and the timber lining of the vault were also renewed. If you are interested in how religious buildings have changed over time, this chapel brings together the earlier structure and later work on specific architectural features.

Église Saint-Thuriau was built in 1620 by the de Lantivy family, also known as Lentivy, du Rest, on the remains of an older building. Its timber-lined vault has been decorated since 1779 with 18 paintings depicting the life of Saint Thuriau. There are also 16th-century stained-glass windows depicting the Holy Trinity, the Annunciation and the Circumcision of Christ. The construction date, vault paintings and stained glass therefore belong to different periods. This makes the church particularly interesting for travellers who want to consider religious art and its subjects as well as the architecture.

Walks and Routes

The Nantes-Brest Canal crosses Saint-Thuriau and is suitable for walks, cycling and horse riding. This offers another focus for your stay in addition to the buildings and works of art. Your choice of activity may also be a factor: cycling is mentioned along the canal, while Route 29 is specifically designated for mountain bikes as well.

Route 29 between Pontivy and Saint-Thuriau can be travelled on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. Walking and horse riding are therefore options mentioned for both this route and the canal; when cycling, it is useful to distinguish between general cycling and mountain biking. Check the current local conditions for Route 29 before setting out.

A specific distance is given for the Circuit de la fontaine Blanche in Saint-Thuriau: it is 5.6 kilometres long. Check the route page before setting off. This gives you different points of reference for planning: Route 29 has a named connection and modes of travel, while the circuit has a stated distance. Take these details into account when deciding how to divide your time between culture and outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Inzinzac-Lochrist, Mohon, Malestroit, Molac, Ile D'arz, Baden-Mériadec, Péaule, Lanvaudan

See the regional travel guide: Morbihan.