Huelgoat, Pleyben and Douarnenez Brittany France

Day 11, France

Travelled: 83km from Huelgoat via Pleyben and Douarnenez to Le Juch free parking area (48.0678,-4.2564)

After having another peaceful night, we had our morning coffee and set off to explore another section of the Discovery Circuit.  We began our walk from Le Gouffre parking in to the lovely forest and admired The Chasm where the Argent River races through the boulders. 

We then followed the path up to the Belvedere but only found a memorial to Victor Segalen Stele - a novelist, poet, doctor and archaeologists, born in 1878, died here in 1919. 

Doubling back we then continued down stream to the Fairy Pond, another pretty area. 

We travelled in the rain to Pleyben, whose highlight is the beautiful church of Saint Germain. Built during the 16th and 17th Century, it has an unusual mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Calvary which was constructed as a triumphal arch. On the top are 3 Finisterean ( the department we are in) crosses. Below are 30 scenes from Christ’s life carved out of stone. 

Inside we were wowed by the carved and painted timber beams. Along with the organ and other features. 

Just out of town we popped in at the Intermarché and as the diesel was €1.789 we filled up.

It was blue skies and sunshine as we continued on via Chateaulin, more churches and beautiful countryside. 

The port town of Douarnenez during the 19thC prospered as a major centre of the sardine industry. 

We walked through the narrow streets to the Rosmuer Harbour which was once buzzing with activities of fishing boats and canning factories but now lined with cafes and restaurants. 

Port Rhu found along the river was also essential in the sardine trade. We walked along the river and came across the ‘friends of the museum that appear to be making a new boat using traditional methods.

We decided to stay overnight a little closer to Quimper in the small town of Le Juch.