The Chapelle Saint-Georges brings together architectural history and the landscape of the Don Valley: this rare rural religious building lies along hiking trails. Guémené-Penfao also offers pilgrimage traditions, cycling routes, a market and a cinema. Different interests and times of day are relevant when planning your trip—from historic sites to regular events during the week.
Chapels and pilgrimage traditions
The Chapelle Saint-Georges is a rare rural religious building in the Loire-Atlantique department, dating from the second half of the 17th century. It is also the surviving remnant of a priory founded by the Augustinian monks of Notre-Dame de Paimpont Abbey around the 13th century. The chapel lies along hiking trails in the Don Valley. As access conditions may change, check them before visiting.
The Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Lieu-Saint offers a different perspective. It stands above a broad, gently rolling landscape, through which a small river winds. It is associated with a pilgrimage tradition: people have long prayed there for the protection of crops and livestock, and for the purification of body and soul. Thus, Saint-Georges is chiefly associated with its architectural history and priory, while Sainte-Anne is linked to a religious tradition and its landscape.
Trails in the Don Valley and other routes
The Circuit de la Vallée du Don runs through a green valley, with the River Don accompanying the hike. Château de Juzet is another of the valley’s sights. At Les Rocs de Gascaigne, you can discover two former quarries along the “Rocs de Gascaigne” hiking trail.
The Voie des Capitales pilgrimage route connects Mont Saint-Michel with Saint Jacques de Compostelle and passes through Beslé, Guémené and Guénouvry. This route offers a different focus from trails geared towards scenery or cycling: its main feature is the connection between pilgrimage sites.
Cycling routes lead to Plessé, Conquereuil, Pierric and Derval, as well as to Beslé-sur-Vilaine station and port. They connect the communes via quiet side roads. Guémené-Penfao also has the Circuit de Carabosse mountain-biking trail. When choosing a cycling activity, you can therefore distinguish between routes to named destinations and a mountain-biking trail. If you are planning a specific trip, check the current route and conditions.
Market, cinema and horse-riding activities
The marché Guémenéen takes place every Friday morning in the Rue and on the Place de l’église. The l’Odéon cinema screens films every weekend and occasionally offers screenings during the week. The two have different schedules: the market is held on Friday mornings, while the cinema offers regular weekend screenings and occasional weekday showings. Check the current film schedule in advance, especially if you plan to attend a weekday screening.
The Centre équestre de Juzet is located on the banks of the Don, three kilometres from the centre of Guémené-Penfao, and welcomes visitors all year round. During school holidays, it offers courses with examinations for diplomas. Visitor access and courses therefore follow different schedules: the centre welcomes visitors year-round, while courses with examinations take place during school holidays. If you are interested in a course, ask about the current programme.
Discover more destinations: Mesquer, La Chapelle-Glain, Les Sorinières, Saint-Nicolas-De-Redon, Saint-Mars-La-Jaille, Savenay, Saint-Viaud, La Rouxière.
For the regional travel overview: Loire-Atlantique.
