Locronan

Perched on the mountainside, Locronan is awarded the title of Petites Cités de Caractère and Plus beaux villages de France: as soon as you cross the entrance you will realise why. The village, which surprises with its blue granite houses at the foot of the square tower of its church, looks like something out of a storybook.

A place with a strong sacred essence, the capital of canvas in Brittany from the end of the 15th century to the middle of the 18th century, this mecca of Breton tourism, beloved of so many film directors, enchants with its ancient lanes and enchanting views.

Things to do in Locronan

The village is named after Saint Ronan, an Irish hermit who founded the town in the 10th century. Locronan enjoyed its most prestigious period from the 15th to the 18th century, thanks to the cloth, linen and hemp trade.

Today, Locronan is one of the most prestigious places in Brittany for its rich architectural heritage: built entirely of granite, the village has preserved beautiful Renaissance and medieval residences, a unique and original ensemble

The church of Saint-Ronan

Strolling through the streets of the village, you can admire the church of Saint-Ronan, built in the 15th century: a historical monument, its Chapel of Penance houses the Saint’s tomb.

Place de l’Église

The most photographed spot in the village is certainly this charming little square with its iconic well. In this picturesque corner you can admire buildings and houses with bluish-grey granite façades dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

Further on you will come across the fountain and the Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle chapel dedicated to Saint Eutrope: its stained glass windows were created in 1985 by the famous painter Alfred Manessier.

Old Indies Company Hotel

Brittany’s climate and large number of streams contributed to the expansion of hemp and flax cultivation. From the 15th century, the region specialised in the production and marketing of hemp fabrics, which were sold on the sailcloth market. Locronan thus became a town of weavers.

The small businesses equipped the largest ships in Europe: from the Royal French Navy to the English Navy, to the ships of the Spanish Navy and the caravels of Christopher Columbus. The old hotel of the East India Company, once the Canvas Office, was a place for wealthy textile merchants to trade in spices and luxury goods. The three houses that can be seen at the end of the square formed a single ensemble at the time. Today they house the Tourist Office.

Where to stay in Locronan

Those who choose to stay in this tiny medieval village are looking for atmosphere, charm and a sense of being transported to another time. Indeed, when evening arrives, the village empties of hurried tourists and is cloaked in a magical, ancient atmosphere. It is no coincidence that this corner of Brittany has often been used as a location for costume films, such as Roman Polanski’s Tess (1979) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s A Long Engagement Sunday (2004).

In the surrounding area, there are several elegant and refined establishments for a relaxing and beautiful stay.

Best hotels in Locronan

Locronan Weather