Les Forges des Salles are situated south of Saint-Gelven, near Pontivy and on the border between the Morbihan and Cotes d'Armor departments of Brittany. The surrounding countryside, including the the forest of Quénécan and the Lac de Guerlédan, is very scenic.
Exploring the Forges des Salles
An unusual yet fascinating place to visit, the entire village here originally developed around a substantial charcoal industry based upon the wood that was readily available in the surrounding forest.
Half village, half museum, the Forges des Salles are a remarkable site that has been preserved exactly as they were when production stopped in 1877.
During your visit you can see numerous buildings including the 18th-19th century charcoal factory, the simple worker's cottages, pretty terraced gardens running down the hill, the storage sheds, a small chapel, the accounts office, and the school exactly as they were at that time. The canteen was among our favourites, perhaps because it was easy to imagine the voices of the workers who crowded in here every day as a break from toiling in the hot forges.
(The one building you can't enter is the main house that was occupied by the 'master' of the forges, because it is still occupied by the family of the original owners.)
A unique opportunity to stroll around a 19th century village, the entire site is now registered as a National Historic Monument.
Note: the Forges des Salles are only open to the public between late spring and early autumn - you can choose between a guided tours or just strolling around yourself.
Around the Forges des Salles
Most visitors will also want to visit the ruins of the Abbey Notre-Dame de Bon-Repos, just a few kilometres from here.
There are also leisure opportunities at Guerlédan Lake, and plenty of opportunities for following trails in the Quénécan Forest that surrounds the Forges des Salles.
You can find more travel ideas in the Cotes-d'Armor guide and the Brittany guide.
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Map of Forges des Salles and places nearby
Visit near Forges des Salles with France This Way reviews
Pontivy
Pontivy is particularly interesting because it has a medieval old town and also a region added in the Napoleonic era to explore
Pontivy guideChateau de Pontivy
The Chateau de Pontivy has dominated the centre of Pontivy in Morbihan since 1485
Chateau de Pontivy guide
Guingamp Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
The Basilica in Guingamp is an interesting mix of archtectural styles and includes an ancient statue of the black Virgin
Guingamp Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours guide
Guingamp
The centre of Guingamp has several colombage houses and an important basilica among its places of interest
Guingamp guide
Moncontour
The highlight in Moncontour is exploring the streets of half-timbered houses within the medieval defensive walls
Moncontour guide
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc has a cathedral and a historic centre with several medieval houses to see
Saint-Brieuc guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Cotes-d'Armor
Address: Perret, Gouarec, Guingamp, Brittany, 22570, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.2, longitude -3.125556
Plan your visit to Forges des Salles, Cotes-d'Armor
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lac de Guerlédan: site of natural beauty (6 km)
- Jardin du Botrain: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marche: ville fleurie 4* (12 km)
- Jardin du Grand Launay: remarkable garden (18 km)
- Quintin: ville fleurie 4* (28 km)
- Jardin du Colombier: remarkable garden (39 km)
- Menez Bré: site of natural beauty (44 km)
- Source - Rance: site of natural beauty (45 km)
- Zooparc de Trégomeur: zoo or wildlife park (46 km)
- Zoo de Pont-Scorff: zoo or wildlife park (48 km)
- Arboretum de Poërop: remarkable garden (49 km)
- Josselin: village d'etape (51 km)
The French version of this page is at Forges des Salles (Francais)