Discovering the Devil’s Bridge in Lannilis

After visiting some famous charming castles and very old, enormous churches, my family and I thought of heading to some off-the-beaten locations in order to go on adventures and enjoy discovering odd bits of history. So, we got in the car and started driving.

We were ecstatic to see a sign for the Devil’s Bridge (Pont-Krac’h / Pont du Diable) after navigating along those winding, narrow roads. This very old bridge, which spans a confined section of the Aber Wrac’h, is perched atop a sizable rock in the center of the riverbed. It is submerged by each incoming tide. It has seven vaulted tunnels – three on the Plougerneau side, two in the middle, and two small ones on the Lannilis side – that are spanned by the structure, which is 78 meters long and 5 to 6 meters wide.

The use of the site evolved over time. At the end of the Middle Ages (although some date the bridge back to the Iron Age), a passageway was made in the middle of the bridge to allow boats to get past. Then, at the start of the 19th century, a mill was constructed on the Plougerneau side, obstructing access. The bridge was eventually reopened to traffic in the middle of the 1850s, and locals continued to use it until 1960. It then became derelict, but it was restored in 2008. It is impressive to know that this medieval bridge is thought to have been around since the Roman era.

When we arrived, nobody was there. However, a few minutes later, an elderly couple and another family of three came. It was low tide then, so we were able to cross the bridge, and we leisurely strolled the nice forest on the other side.

It was a great escape, and it was wonderful to put down the electronics, unplug for a while, and just enjoy the moment. With no internet and no phone, we were disconnected from the outside world and fully savored our experiences. And the farther we got from the trail, the more thrilled and happier we were.

If you are in Bretagne/Brittany and looking for an adventure, and off-the-beaten path to wanderlust, Le Pont du Diable is for you!

Exploring the Château de Kérouzéré

Beautiful Brittany in France is home to fairytale-like castles. Luckily for me, my husband and my son also enjoy exploring old buildings and architecture. So, one of our favorite things to do here is to go from one castle to the other, because there is truly something breathtakingly beautiful about castles and palaces. We like history, we admire architecture, and we enjoy looking at art. And in castles, it all comes together perfectly. 

For us, visiting a castle is like stepping into another historical era. Every room has a story to tell and every stone has a tale to tell — a story of war and of peace; a story of honor and of romance, among other things. And many pieces on display also whisper their own secrets of a bygone era.

One of the castles that caught our attention was the magnificent feudal Chateau de Kerouzéré overlooking the countryside in Sibiril, in the northern Finistere of Brittany, which was built in Roman architecture in the late Middle Ages, or medieval era, in 1425. It was besieged in 1590 during the French Wars of Religion, and it was rebuilt around 1600. In 1883, it was listed as a historic monument, and it is one of the last castles in the region to be in very good condition.

We were on a group tour along with other European travelers, and our guide was excellent. He explained well the details of the castle. He told us that in three years time, the castle is going to celebrate its 600 years! The Chateau de Kérouzéré is magnificent! 

Every castle is unique, and our visit to the castle of Kérouzéré was a fascinating escape. What are you waiting for? Push the door of Chateau de Kérouzéré if you are in the northern Finistere of Brittany; it is waiting for you to share some of its secrets and magnificence.

Little Lilly travel tips:

1. Entrance fees: 5 euros for 18+ years old, 3 euros for 10 to 18 years old and free for children under 10 years old.
2. People with mobility problems can only visit the ground. It is impossible to go up due to so many steep stairs.
3. The castle park can be visited free of charge all year round.
4. It is possible to visit the interior of the castle all year round and it is also possible to rent some rooms of the castle for special events like weddings. Here’s the castle website for more information: https://www.kerouzere.fr/Chateau_de_Kerouzer_1./Visites.html

The charming Chapelle du Grouanec

It was a beautiful day with nice weather—sunny but breezy and chilly. So we decided to visit the Chapelle du Grouanec, a place we hadn’t seen before. 

Chapelle du Grouanec

Chapelle du Grouanec

According to old documents, the chapel of Grouanec was built in 1503, and was dedicated to Our Lady. It was constructed in the Gothic style, and the chapel as a whole is magnificent— both the superb interior decorations and a lovely garden as well as a nice forest surrounding it. 

It has a well-balanced and comprehensive chapel ensemble. A stunning stained-glass window that is located above the high altar gives the church’s interior its opulent feel. Along with other stained-glass windows and beautiful jewel-like paintings on panelings, there was also a frieze that was carved out of wood and painted. The holy fountain and the cavalry are all connected to the enclosure’s religious history. Also, its statuary offers a vivid palette of Breton sculptors’ work. Undeniably, the entire location exudes an alluring charm that permeates the chapel’s sanctuary. It goes without saying that it encourages the quiet pause that is secretly desired.

When we went there, they were preparing for a wedding. I really adored the wedding decoration – very simple, yet very classy and symbolic. Can you imagine exchanging vows in a centuries-old structure with a rich history?

If you are in the area, the 519-year-old Chapelle du Grouanec is one of the hidden little gems that we would highly recommend. It is definitely worth a visit! 

The Rohan Bridge: A bridge inhabited for more than 500 years

We explored the town of Landerneau, Bretagne, which has a remarkable architectural heritage. One of its architectural gems is the famed 70-meter-long Rohan bridge, which was built by Jean II de Rohan in 1510 (16th century), replacing a wooden structure dating back to the 12th century. For many years, it was the only way to cross the Elorn at Landerneau, which gave it strategic importance for trade.

This medieval bridge has six stone arches standing in saltwater. The buildings, which stand on granite piles, have been home to generations of wealthy artisans and linen merchants. It now has lively shops, restaurants, and cafes. So, up until now, it is one of Europe’s inhabited bridges, along with the iconic Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Another oddity of the Rohan Bridge is that beneath it, the Elorn River’s freshwater and the Atlantic Ocean’s saltwater both pass through the bridge, with a fascinating history to tell. 

As we strolled along the banks of the river Elorn, we passed a succession of beautiful residences dating from the 16th to 19th centuries and nice gardens on the quaysides. Also, we saw some shops closed, due to the pandemic, and some people eating very peacefully on the pavements of restaurants. 

If you enjoy searching out very old and quirky bits of history, this 512-year-old ancient inhabited bridge is for you! It’s a gentle beauty! 

Little Lilly travel tip:

• In the the summer, you can gently canoe down the Elorn.

A Visit at Saint-Goulven Church in Goulven

After a leisurely lunch and a good nap, we hopped into the car and drove to Goulven to visit Eglise de Saint Goulven Church. It has stood since the 16th century, or roughly 450 years. It was constructed in the Gothic style and features a fabulous Renaissance bell tower adorned with four small towers. Everything is remarkable and finely decorated and beautiful to see both outside and inside.

The magnificent Saint-Goulven church

As soon as we arrived in Goulven, we were greeted by the impressive and striking sight of the church’s huge bell tower, with a sharp spire dominating the whole town and even the vast bay which separates it from the peninsula of Plouneour-Trez. And we were astounded by the church’s enormous size as we walked around it. It is incredibly large for a town of only 449 inhabitants.

The stunning Renaissance bell tower of Saint-Goulven church

In the background, you can see baptismaux fonts where babies are baptized.

Stained-glass window depicting the life of Saint Goulven.

On the south side, a small old altar in the Gothic style of the 15th century. 

A naive painting on the paneling of the north transept. 

The beautiful organ gallery, work from the Flamboyant Gothic period. 

An ossuary in the cemetery from 1707. 

Saint-Goulven Church is truly emblematic of the parish enclosures. If you are in the area, do not hesitate to make a detour on this site. It’s worth a visit! 

Little Lilly travel tip:

• It is free.
• The visit lasts at least an hour.