Walk no.21 in Wendy Mewes’ Walks in Finistère is varied and interesting – she is a veritable ‘curator of walks’, creating routes with variety and interest.
We parked in the car park opposite the small fishing harbour at Pors Poulhan and set off through woodlands and farmlands, and past some beautifully restored buildings.
Along the way you can see the restored Mill of Tréouzien, springs, washing places, and the small Chapel of St They. St They was a monk known as St Day in Cornwall who lived in the 6C and was a disciple of St Guénolé, the founder of the Abbey of Landevennec, but further information about him is scarce.
And then there is the sea, which pops into view as you crest a hill.
Everywhere there are interesting flowers and plants.
But Wendy Mewes doesn’t do mindless exercice – as you walk along the coast you learn about the activities which took place here from c.3,500BC to 19C. Seaweed was, and is, a big industry on the West Coast of Brittany. These are old ovens in which the dried seaweed was burned to produce bicarbonate of soda for glass, paper, and soap manufacture.
Menez Dregan is an extraordinary archaeological site on the coast, just west of Pors Poulhan. Signs of animal life have been found dating back 450,000 years to a time when there were plains below the cliffs. This extraordinary necropolis ‘only’ dates back to c.4,500 BC!
Menez Korriged is an allée couverte, a burial tomb in the complex, and has been dated to before 3,000 BC.
And finally, welcome refreshment after a hot day’s walk!
Further information
Edible seaweed in Brittany
Menez Dregan
sunnydaysinseattle
A beautiful walk. Thanks for sharing!