Huelgoat
Visit Huelgoat (Brittany, France)
The town of Huelgoat is in the relatively unexplored centre of Finistere (western Brittany) where it falls within both the Armorique Regional Natural Park and the Monts d'Arree region.
As well as the town itself there are a couple of unexpected pleasures to discover here - including an 'enchanted forest' - and a visit is recommended.
Exploring Huelgoat
Start your visit in the centre of the town, a large open square called Place Aristide Briande.
The most notable building on this square is the Church of Saint Yves, which dates from the 16th century but has been substantially altered and restored in the last 150 years. Step inside to see the painted wooden statues that date from the 17th century.
The Restaurant de Bretagne is in another imposing stone building on the same square, and there are various creperies and cafes around the edge of the square.
Another historical monument of interest in Huelgoat is the Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Cieux, a quaint 15th century chapel that has been recently restored.
Leaving the square you will discover that Huelgoat is in a picturesque location on the edge of a large lake, which also makes for a pleasant stroll.
Huelgoat Forest
The main site that attracts visitors to Huelgoat is the adjoining forest, entered at the lake by the Moulin du Chaos, a stone built mill dating from the 14th century.
One of the few remnants of the ancient forests that once covered Brittany, the forest at Huelgoat is a place of legends and fairy tales, and a very scenic trail through the forest passes great moss covered boulders and a small river in the shade of ancient trees.
Large boulders are strewn around, several with evocative names such as "the Devil's Cave" or "the trembling rock" (a huge boulder that is balanced so that it can be moved slightly). Be sure to ask at the tourist office for details of the legends attached to the various rocks, to provide endless amusement to your children as they clamber across the rocks*
* The boulders are here because the giant Gargantua, passing through the region long ago, was unimpressed by the hospitality provided by the villagers, and promptly threw lots of rowcks at the village!
Arboretum de Poerop
This extensive arboretum covers more than 20 hectares to the south of the town and brings together a very wide range of species of trees from around the world, many of them endangered species. An impressive feat given that the arboretum was only created about 10 years ago, the garden is classified as a 'remarkable garden' in France.
Photos taken within 10 km
Address: Huelgoat, Châteaulin, Finistere, Brittany, 29690 || GPS: latitude 48.365, longitude -3.743611
Map of Huelgoat & places nearby
Highlights close by
Guerlesquin 21km
Morlaix 24km
Plouezoch 31km
Le Faou 33km
See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Huelgoat.
See Brittany and Finistere (the region and department for Huelgoat) for more travel ideas...
Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Huelgoat, France
- Arboretum de Poërop - remarkable garden
- Lannedern - enclos-paroissial (13km)
- Plouneour-Ménez - enclos-paroissial (14km)
- Commana - enclos-paroissial (17km)
- Brasparts - enclos-paroissial (17km)
- Plougonven - enclos-paroissial (18km)
- Pleyben - enclos-paroissial (23km)
- Saint Thégonnec - enclos-paroissial (23km)
- Guimiliau - enclos-paroissial (23km)
- Parc du château de Trévarez - remarkable garden (24km)
Market days in Huelgoat: Regular market(s) are held in Huelgoat each Thursday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Huelgoat (Francais)
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