Manéguen site at Guénin

The Manéguen, one of the seven sacred hills in Brittany

The Manéguen, Mane Gwen, "white mountain" in Breton is a wooded hill located on the heights of the municipality of Guénin. It was once devoid of vegetation, and its rocks shone in the sun. At a height of 155 metres (508,53ft), legend has it that in the year 1300 the hill was illuminated with an exceptional whiteness for several days and nights, which gave it its name.

The Manéguen site and its orientation table offer a panoramic view over the countryside of the municipality. This wild and mysterious place is home to the "sacrifice stone" where pagan rituals were said to have been performed. A 5 km (16404,2ft) path allows you to discover the place.

A panorama of the bell towers

The discovery of the site begins with the Notre-Dame du Manéguen chapel, which you discover inside a vast enclosure. 200 metres (656,168ft) further on, the view from the Saint-Michel chapel offers you a moment of suspension. The place is enchanting with its ground covered with fragrant moorland and its view of the surrounding countryside. No less than 15 church towers can be seen from the orientation table.

The legendary stone of sacrifice

A place full of legends that will leave you dreaming. One of them is about the "sacrifice stone", which is hollowed out with small basins. It could be a druidic altar, set up for rituals. It is said that people were offered as sacrifies to the local deity. It is also believed that old people came here to die. 

It is a 1km (3280,84ft) walk from the chapel of Notre-Dame du Manéguen to the stone. 

Between moors, river and forest

You continue along the path following the signs of the Manéguen circuit. There are still 4 km to go, leaving the gorse to walk along the river Evel and finish your loop through the forest.

Back at your starting point, make sure you have admired the magnificent hundred-year-old beech tree, classified as one of the remarkable trees of Brittany. It commands respect with its harmonious forms: its age, 150 years, its span, 20 metres, and its circumference, 3.50 metres. And if you let yourself go and give it a big hug?