Locronan
Locronan
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About Locronan
Add to favoritesA small granite gem in Finistère, Locronan is often cited as one of the most beautiful villages in Brittany, and for good reason: it's a picture-perfect open-air film set. Founded in the 11th century by Saint Ronan, this "village of weavers" built its fortune in the 16th century thanks to the production of high-quality sailcloth for the largest fleets in Europe (including the Spanish Armada). This past opulence has left an architectural legacy of rare coherence: a majestic central square lined with dressed granite houses, merchants' lodgings with sculpted dormer windows, and the Church of Saint Ronan, a jewel of Flamboyant Gothic art that seems to watch over the town. The village has managed to preserve its authenticity almost miraculously, prohibiting electrical cables and modern signs, which has made it a favorite filming location for directors like Roman Polanski (for Tess) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (for A Very Long Engagement). The website chateaux-en-france.com advises you not to limit yourself to the main square, but to walk down Rue Moal to discover the old weaving workshops and the Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle chapel. Here, each blue granite stone tells the story of Breton religious fervor and the maritime commercial power of the era.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
Locronan is a popular tourist destination that can get very crowded during the day in summer. My expert advice: Come at dusk or the very end of the day. The absence of modern streetlights, replaced by old-fashioned lanterns, gives the village a unique, mystical, and medieval atmosphere, perfect for photography. The chateaux-en-france.com website also advises you to avoid illegal parking: use the designated parking areas at the village entrance (paid parking during peak season but available year-round) as the center is entirely pedestrianized. For a truly immersive experience, try the authentic local Kouign-amann in one of the bakeries on the square; it's renowned as one of the best in the region thanks to the time-honored expertise of the town's bakers. If you have some extra time, hike up to the Locronan mountain (the "Prieuré"): it's the highest point in the area, offering panoramic views of Douarnenez Bay. Finally, if you are visiting the region in July, find out about the "Petite Troménie", an ancestral 6 km procession that goes around the village and its sacred stations, offering a spectacle of living Breton culture that you will not see anywhere else.
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OCEANIA LA CONTI
MIRAMAR LA CIGALE
DOMAINE DU LIZIEC - MGALLERY COLLECTION
HOTEL BARRIERE LE ROYAL LA BAULE
HOTEL LE DOMAINE DE LA BRETESCHE
RESIDENCE REINE MARINE
CHATEAU DE MAUBREUIL
CHATEAU D AUDRIEU
