Brocéliande Forest: Arthurian Legends
Follow the footsteps of Merlin, Viviane and the Knights of the Round Table in the forest of Paimpont.
Two days in the forest of Paimpont, identified since the nineteenth century with the Broceliande of Arthurian romance. The route links Merlin's tomb, a megalithic remnant now covered in written messages, the fountain of Barenton whose water bubbles cold and where Merlin is said to have met Viviane, then the Val sans Retour, the fairy Morgan's valley with its mirror pool and its Golden Tree, a sculpture installed after the 1990 fire. The Grail church at Trehorenteuc, unique in France, mixes Christian stained glass with Arthurian imagery; the chateau de Comper houses the Arthurian imagination centre. The sites are poorly signposted and sometimes hard to find: the Paimpont tourist office map is essential. Bring walking shoes.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 2 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 20 km
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
Itinerary
- 1
Tombeau de Merlin
Vestiges mégalithiques dans la forêt, lieu légendaire de l'enchanteur.
- 2
Fontaine de Barenton
Source enchantée où Merlin rencontra Viviane, bulles mystérieuses.
- 3
Val sans Retour
Vallée de la fée Morgane, miroir aux fées et arbre d'or.
- 4
Église du Graal — Tréhorenteuc
Église unique mêlant iconographie chrétienne et légendes arthuriennes.
- 5
Château de Comper
Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurien, expos et lac de Viviane.
