Culture

Allow yourself to step back in time ! Mementos of our ancestors which have withstood the test of time.

Brittany enjoys a well-deserved reputation for its impressive megalithic sites and the Rhuys peninsula is no exception!

Visit the Kermaillard engraved menhir, which is the major megalithic site in Sarzeau. Dolmens stand erect in Brillac as well as in Kergillet – they are called respectively “Ar Roc’h” and “Lanneg Ar Maen” that is “The Rock” and “The stone’s heath land”- the word “menhir”originates from Breton “maen” stone and “hir” long. At Largueven there is a big “menhir couché” – a fallen menhir. At the furthest point of the Peninsula, more megaliths can be found in the commune of Arzon.

By travelling throughout the Peninsula’s history you discover the area‘s once busy religious life ; In Sarzeau the many buildings around the great abbey of Saint Gildas (Breton: “Sant Gweltas”) and the church of Saint Saturnin bear witness to this period of religious fervour. Today, every summer, weekly religious services are celebrated in the chapel at Trévenaste. During the tourist season, some chapels are venues for diverse musical concerts.

Not so long ago in the course of history came the “châteaux” - the word we use in the region for large country houses belonging to middle class families who at that time, benefited from a thriving period in Sarzeau‘s history. You may have difficulty in catching sight of these ‘chateaux’ today set back in their own grounds, surrounded by trees, unless, rambling along a path, you come upon them ! Once, there were vineyards in the peninsula, but today they can no longer be found.