La Richardais is a town of Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany, south of Dinard which it borders.
Its territory albeit modest 3 km² enjoys a privileged location on the left bank of the estuary of the Rance, Saint-Malo to face, on the other side.
Simple parish annex under the old regime, La Richardais becomes an official town in 1880.
Until then, already occupied BC and the Middle Ages, the future town was known in the nineteenth for its hold, its dry harbor and even its shipyards. The interior is its cultured side.
La Richardais however sees her story upset in 1966 when was inaugurated the tidal power: the dam built on the Rance connects Saint Malo while power production facilities are located in the territory of La Richardais.
With now about 2,300 inhabitants, the town highlights its heritage, environment and leisure offer of interest: near the poles that are Dinard and Saint-Malo, this makes a step to be reckoned with on the Coast Emerald.
Built in the 1960s, the dam and tidal power Rance became emblematic of La Richardais and so are the first heritage site in the city. The inauguration of the whole in 1966 allowed further connect La Richardais Dinard in Saint-Malo, on the other side of the estuary. This unique facility in France produces 100% renewable energy from tides, equivalent to the consumption of a city of 225,000 inhabitants as Rennes. A complete lock the site to make navigation on the Rance.
A space located on La Richardais discovery EDF has a permanent interactive exhibition allows a view of the machinery, and proves the starting point for tours of the facilities. Open all year from Tuesday to Saturday. Free entry. Reservations required for tours. It is advisable to inquire +33 2 99 16 37 14.
In the commune, other heritage elements are to see. This is the case of the St. Clement church built between 1866 and 1873, it was damaged during the Second War and then rebuilt. Inside, there is the Way of the Cross painted in 1953 by the Breton artist Xavier de Langlais, who also made two murals on each side of the choir. The oldest murals were restored in 2003. The structure, due to local craftsmen naval shipyards specialized in marine structures and stained Max Ingrand complete this survey.
In the village, the Calvary neighborhood home to an old cross, a well covered eighteenth century and old houses (including the house called the Four).
On the side of the Rance, rue du Port provides access to the managed hold in the 1860s: an old crane has been preserved and this viewpoint what once important site activity.
Also visible are two exceptional ships: The Hunter, a "maquereautier" 6 m built in 1931 by one of the shipyards of the resort, requisitioned by the Germans during the Second War for transportation between Dinard and Saint-Malo then by the Americans to release when all the bridges were destroyed. It ranks of heritage interest ship. Moreover parked the Mosquito, a typical boat fishing boats Rance during the interwar period. Both ships are maintained by an association.
Blockhouse Remains, finally, are yet to observe.
Culturally, the Atelier Manoli is dedicated to the eponymous sculptor Pierre Manoli (1927-2001) who lived and worked for 25 years at La Richardais. He specialized in particular monumental works in granite. His old house converted into a museum-workshop has 7 rooms and a garden where several hundred works are presented. A circuit "outside the walls" consisting of 10 steps staked panels and sculptures, in the town, also was constructed. Open daily in July and August, every day except Tuesday from September to June and closed in December and January. Entrance: 3.50 and 5 euros. Information at +33 2 23 18 72 79.
Moreover, the town hall, a mosaic Odorico commissioned from the artist in 1955, represents the arms of the town.
Finally, exhibitions and events (lectures, meetings, workshops) are scheduled regularly at the municipal library. Information at +33 2 23 16 91 28.
In terms of sports and "nature" leisure, several sites (some listed under their ecological wealth) are to be discovered during walks or hikes: the Pointe du Grognet, crossed by paths, which juts into the estuary and offers a 360 degree panorama, the handle of the Great river, overlooking the Rance, which is a Natura 2000 site and a bird sanctuary, the pond of the Guard, fed freshwater by a stream and finally Hourdel valley, which is a green enclave on the outskirts of the village, between the tidal power plant and the village.
Several tour circuits and hiking various lengths have been built and marked out on the town. They connect the dots of heritage and natural sites, not to mention the charm of the estuary. Maps and information +33 8 21 23 55 00.
Sports include a city park is available, tennis courts can be booked (Contact +33 2 99 88 51 16) and a nautical center allows seasonal sailing or sea kayaking: inquire at +33 2 99 88 51 57. note that the site, an anchorage area is also accessible to boaters.
