Huelgoat travel guide

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.

Explore Huelgoat

Start your visit in the centre of Huelgoat, in 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 for details of the legends attached to the various rocks at Huelgoat tourist office, 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 rocks at the Huelgoat!

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.

You can find more travel ideas in the Finistere guide and the Brittany guide.