16055

France: Ménez Hom, Locronan, Beg Meil and Lann Menhir

Our day started with a 2 km hike with Bronco - Garmin Connect and then we drove to Ménez Hom, a local paragliding hill. Since my reverse start technique isn't good, I couldn't launch, so I remained grounded. Better luck next time or better said, do more practice on the ground. Our next destination was medieval town Locronan and afterwards seaside. In the afternoon we reached our final destination, Lann Menhir, where we visited Anne, Thierry and Mewen.

Previous days of our road trip to Bayern - Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Netherlands, Belgium, Hauts-de-France, Normandie - Normandy, Bretagne - Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est and Rhineland-Palatinate: Day 10 - 16054, Day 9 - 16053, Day 8 - 16052, Day 7 - 16051, Day 6 - 16050, Day 5 - 16049, Day 4 - 16048, Day 3 - 16047, Day 2 - 16046, Day 1 - 16045.

In the morning we said goodbye to Saint-Corentin chapel.

Bronco was laughing at my take-off attempts.

Located at the end of the Black Mountains (Montagnes Noires), the Ménez Hom is a small mountain culminating at 330 metres in altitude.

One of the locals.

Windy day attracted many paragliders.

Spots in the sky.

Bronco had everything under control.

View to Baie de Douarnenez.

Bronco said it's time to go - Garmin Connect.

Locronan is a picturesque village located in Brittany, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, historic significance, and cultural heritage.

The village's name means the "hermitage of Ronan", from the Breton lok ("hermitage") of Saint Ronan. It was previously known as Saint-René-du-Bois.

 

Saint Ronan, greatly venerated in Brittany, was a 6th-century Irish Christian missionary who came to the region to teach the people.

Locronan is a small town built at the foot of a hill. It was granted town status in 1505 by Anne of Brittany, who went there on a pilgrimage.

The municipality launched a plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg (Yes to Breton) on 23 November 2007 to revive the Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic language of the Celtic language group spoken in Brittany.

Locronan boasts beautifully preserved medieval architecture, with cobblestone streets, timber-framed houses, and granite buildings adorned with intricate carvings.

 

The heart of Locronan is its central square, Place de l'Église, surrounded by charming stone buildings and the imposing Église Saint-Ronan.

 

Pilgrimage - The pardon of Saint Ronan takes place on the second Sunday of August, attracting pilgrims from across Brittany who come to pay homage to the saint and seek his blessings.

 

Local guardians scared us.

 

Locronan has been designated as a "Petite Cité de Caractère" (Small Town of Character) and is listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," recognizing its cultural and architectural significance.

 

Locronan is home to a vibrant community of artisans and craftsmen, including potters, weavers, and artists, who showcase their work in local galleries and workshops.

Leaving the touristic area and searching for the geocache.

  

 

Different homes.

 

Locronan has served as a backdrop for numerous films and television series due to its picturesque setting and well-preserved medieval ambiance. It has been featured in movies such as "The Three Musketeers" and "Chouans!"

 

Église Saint-Ronan: The church of Saint Ronan is a Gothic-style church dating back to the 15th century, dedicated to the Irish hermit Saint Ronan, who is believed to have founded the village.

 

On the main square called Place de l'Église (Church Square).

 

According to local legend, Saint Ronan, the patron saint of Locronan, left his footprint on a stone in the village while engaged in a miraculous feat. Visitors to Locronan may encounter this stone, marked with what appears to be a footprint, which has become the subject of playful tales and humorous anecdotes among residents and tourists alike.

 

Visitors can sample authentic Breton cuisine in Locronan, including regional specialties such as crêpes, galettes, seafood, and cider, served in cozy restaurants and cafes. After the refreshment we finished the sightseeing tour of the city - Garmin Connect.

We stopped by the Sea, on Beg Meil is peninsula.

The village is surrounded by scenic coastal paths and hiking trails, offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, rocky cliffs, and offshore islands. These paths are ideal for leisurely walks and exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Beg Meil is known for its stunning beaches with golden sands and crystal-clear waters.

 

One more walk with Bronco.

Another 3 kilometers of sightseeing - Garmin Connect.

Feels almost like summer.

The Gang of Lann Menhir, Anne, Thierry, Mewen, Tuši and Nada.

Day 11, 162 km: From An Eskobed to Lann Menhir.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items  "MissJenn’s 5 Cents", TB9K7R9, "Sukerbiet 1", TB9VDJJ, "Schwarzer Delfin mit Anker", TB9YMGV and "Geo virus", TB45ZBF):

- Locronan Virtual Reward, Virtual, GC7B970

- Bonus Adventure Lab : En route pour Poule-De-Lard, Mystery, GC91TNP, where I discovered trackable items "TB Slavia Prague", TB6F4FT, "koala mushroom", TB40NAA, "2016 CITO Tag", TB7TZE3, "Friendship Tag Friendship Tag Eent", TB8A68V, "Geo Mutant Tag Antipodes Cat", TB7B6N2, "Travel Bug Dog Tag Oles traveling rock", TB5JBNZ, "Rendez-vous Québec 2013 Geocoins and Pins Lucky - Rendez-vous Québec 2013 (argent)", TB5VV10, "Geocacheurs liegeois Geocacheurs liegeois - Aywaille", TB92B0N, "Travel Bug Origins Tag Discover Me Pitflo14366", TB88RX8 and "Weltreisender aus Frankfurt", TB43FAY

- BONUS BEG MEIL 1 La riviera bretonne, Mystery, GC96G6Z

#hiking #CatahoulaLeopardDog #vacation #VanTrip #Europe #geocaching