Plounérin is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department, in the Brittany region, 25 km east of Morlaix.
Bordering to the west of Finistère, its territory of nearly 26 km² has retained a rural character, covered with agricultural areas (79% of its surface area) and a few dozen hectares of meadows and forests.
Evidence of human occupation during Prehistory and then Antiquity have been brought to light, but it was in the Middle Ages that the village developed. The parish was created in 1425 and there are Plounérin Hospitallers of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem and Cistercian monks from Relec Abbey (south of Morlaix) who own farms there. A new church was built in 1686, the first having become dilapidated and cramped.
Located on the road linking Brest to Paris, the village turned out to be a stronghold of the Chouans: again in 1803, a stagecoach was attacked there by around forty insurgents!
The town then regains its calm and relative agricultural prosperity. A third parish church was built there in 1880 financed by local lords. Tested by the First War (90 men from the village died on the field of honor), highlights its rich heritage and its preserved environment, like its nature reserve... A dozen kilometers from the coast of the Pink Granite Coast, an ideal base for a stay between land and sea!
In terms of heritage, a discovery tour can begin with the Saint-Nerin parish church, restored from 2007 to 2014 following a referendum approving the work, which was nevertheless synonymous with a significant increase in local taxes! In neo-Gothic style, designed in the 19th century, the building built in schist and granite includes a bell tower-porch 57 m high and in the nave of five bays, pierced with twin bays, arcades, in pointed arch, rest on columns decorated with Corinthian capitals. The church has a number of old statues including a Virgin and Child in polychrome wood from the 17th century.
To see next, the chapel of Kirio and that of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Voyage (16th century). This, set back from the Paris-Brest road, follows an "L" plan, a transept arm with a wall extended by the apse. Protected as a historic monument, the chapel has a choir where you can observe the memory of stone mullions. A sundial is visible on a stone inlaid in the gable of the transept. The oratory, located near the west facade, housed a statue which has now disappeared. Its fountain with basin was replaced by a pump leaning against a modern wall, and the oratory was topped with a pyramid.
Also mentioned, on a religious level, are the Notre-Dame-de-la-Clarté and Kerigonan chapels.
Several manors also bear witness to the prosperity of the fiefs of yesteryear... This is the case of the manor of Plounérin, listed in the Inventory, in the village, which dates from the 17th century. We can observe its beautiful portal, its ornate gable, and a watchtower has been preserved. Nearby, a 17th century calvary is also protected, as is a wayside cross on the road to Guerlesquin. This dates from the 18th century and represents a Pietà.
Finally, in the southwest of the territory, also protected as historic monuments, the Lesmoal manor dates from the 16th century. The first floor of the house was accessible via an external staircase. Furthermore, in the room, a fountain had been installed! In a barn, a workshop was once established to process linen. Finally, note that the dovecote whose door is topped with the lordly coat of arms (in this case Lesmoal) is considered one of the most remarkable in the region. It is registered as such. The property is private but can be viewed from the outside.
As for leisure activities, note that shows and association events are regularly hosted in the multipurpose room (information from the town hall on +33 2 96 38 61 09) and that a city stadium, located near the school group, allows the practice of different sports in a friendly setting.
The other asset of the locality is its nature reserve, to the west of the town, called "Landes, meadows and ponds of Plounérin". It reflects a unique natural heritage reflecting the agricultural practices of yesteryear. Moors, wet meadows, peat bogs, small wooded plots and ponds coexist on 160 hectares. So many specific habitats for fauna and environments with unique flora. Classified under Natura 2000, the Etang du Moulin neuf site and its surroundings are managed by specialists but the general public has access to this rich biodiversity and these unique landscapes. Specific hiking loops and an interpretive trail are available, and workshops and activities supervised by biologists are offered throughout the year, particularly for young audiences. All information on +33 2 96 05 09 00.
Including the reserve but also other sectors of the town with bucolic landscapes and dotted with small heritage elements, no less than six hiking loops 3 to 7 long km (connected to each other) are also available to walkers on the territory of Plounérin. On foot or by bike, via secure routes, it is also easy to reach the coast from the town: the nearest resort, Plestin-les-Grèves beach, is only 12 km away!
Maps and information from the Bretagne Côte de Granit Rose tourist office on +33 2 96 05 60 70.
The last Saturday in June, Solstice Fest'Ival with craft market, games for children, storytelling shows, Midsummer bonfires...
The first weekend in September, communal festival with traditional Breton games, entertainment folklore, balls, fireworks and garage sales.
