Kerlouan is a coastal town of Finistère in Brittany, 34 km north of Brest.
Covering an area of about 18 km², its territory borders the English Channel to the north, the coast consisting of alternating beaches and granite rocks, also many sea, a risk factor for navigation. Dunes formed by the wind run along the coastline.
The interior has retained a rural aspect. Composed of a town and several hamlets Kerlouan appeared in the fifth century when a monk Irish founded a hermitage on the edge of the river Quillimadec, a second monastery had this time to St. Pol is located in the ninth century.
Reporting to the Bishop of Leon, the parish becomes the centuries a thriving agricultural center by the fertility of its soil, land of windmills and collecting seaweed when the tide goes out.
Historians noted however that many farmers have long also been fishermen to supplement their income. Today inhabited by some 2,200 people, Kerlouan is appreciated for the beauty of its coastline, its beaches, and its religious heritage or civil highlighted.
Close to other sites in North Finistère interest, this is a step or a place of very pleasant resort.
The town has preserved a rich religious heritage. A discovery tour can start with the parish dedicated to St. Brévalaire church, which was built between 1860 and 1865 in neo-Gothic style. It is observed within fifteen beautifully crafted stained glass windows and an altarpiece of the Virgin of the Rosary, St. Dominic and St. Catherine.
Old Parish Church, Chapel St. Anne dates from the sixteenth century but was rebuilt in the seventeenth, and has a kind of Beaumanoir tower (bell tower flanked by a turret). See also, the Croazou chapel (1832): of proto-historic headstones and crosses of the Middle Ages are located on the site or embedded in the walls.
St. Egarec Chapel (XV) decorated with pits and nearby a fountain with a statue (representing St Hervé), St. Guénal chapel (XVI, restored in 1989) and Saint-Sauveur (built in 1863 on medieval foundations), restored in 1976, home to ancient statues, still punctuate this journey.
As is the tradition in Brittany, crosses and shrines along the roads and paths, fountains and a few mansions certainly reworked also mark territory.
However, in heritage terms, the singularity of Kerlouan proves to be surprisingly Meneham hamlet, east of the town. It developed after the construction of a lookout post in the seventeenth century at a set of coastal rocks. From the nineteenth century, first held by customs, buildings of the hamlet were gradually inhabited by "fishermen farmers."
Deserted in the 1990s, the hamlet of Meneham (sometimes spelled Menez Ham) has been restored by the community and since 2009, the assembly includes a house and a museum recounting the daily life of ancient inhabitants. Many places are open to the public: the old guard, the house Salou (daily presentation of the life of yesteryear, evoking the ritual vigils, focus on fishing and agriculture once) and home Boédoc (space reception and information about the village and exhibition gallery). Open all year, free admission. Information +33 2 98 83 95 63.
As for sports and "nature" entertainment, the beaches of the town lend themselves to relax and swim.
The most popular is the beach of Boutrouilles, supervised in season. An aquatic center is located (practice and learning surfing and paddle): information on +33 6 66 02 84 49.
Beach Meneham shaped cove, below the old fishing village peasants, that borders a small port and beach Créliou, close to the neighboring resort of Brignogan, but still looks wild, are also appreciated. Note that because of the many rocks, sailing is not recommended.
For hiking enthusiasts, besides the GR 34 (also known coastal path) along the coast of the village of 13.5 km, a large trail network was built at the initiative of a local association, highlighting some aspects of the historical heritage or natural, land and sea. in total, four long circuit 7 and 10 km are available, interconnected and marked in different colors (one over 25 km of network). Maps and information +33 2 98 83 92 87 or +33 2 98 83 95 63.
It is also possible to join the local club outings. Contacting at +33 2 98 83 94 35.
