The Best Things to Do in Locronan, Brittany’s Charming and Uspoilt Village
Last Updated on 2nd July 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau
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A particularly charming town which boasts wisteria during the spring, colourful hydrangea bushes in the summer, and adorable cobbled lanes all year round is that of Locronan, which can be found in the Finistère department of Brittany in western France. A well-preserved settlement of granite houses and traditions, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Locronan, as well as a brief history.
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What is Locronan known for?
This small historic village of Brittany is full of character, and traditions and is perhaps best known for the Troménie, a pilgrim route to have been taken by St Ronan (read more about this below) and continues to be an annual tradition. Later, it was well known for hemp production and the textiles manufactured.
The beautiful Breton settlement is also so stunning that it’s often included in the guide to the most beautiful villages of France association!
When is the best time to visit Locronan?
The best time to check out the town is undoubtedly during the late spring, summer, or early autumn, when you’ll likely get the best weather. I use the word ‘likely’ because nothing about the weather of Finistère is very certain and, even during the summer, you can end up with rainy weather days!
Hydrangeas usually bloom through July and August, and the acidity of the soil in Brittany means that many of the plants end up with bright blue blooms when the plant has reached full maturity.
A history of Locronan
With thousands of years of history, the village has a fascinating and evolving past. The village name Locronan is derived from Saint Ronan, a 6th-century ascetic pilgrim monk and hermit who originated from Ireland.
Saint Ronan first came to France after choosing voluntary exile and severing all ties with his kin and country. He then ended up in Brittany and set up a hermitage in the remote woodlands of the northwestern region.
Later St Ronan went on to co-found the village with fellow hermit Corentin of Quimper (one of the seven founding saints of Brittany) the village back then was known as, Saint-René-du-Bois. Saint Ronan went on to become greatly regarded by locals for teaching people religion and he Christianised the village.
Saint Ronan’s reputation as a worship leader grew and as a result, so did the wealth and fame of the village, thanks to the belief in him and the heritage of the cult of fertility… Locronan was seen as a ‘land of miracles’.
It’s strongly suggested, and in some cases confirmed, that from the evidence of the village’s history, it was formed from the basis of a cult mentality, with St. Ronan at the lead.
The cult of Saint Ronan gave rise to a yearly one of Brittany’s most famous processions, the Troménie. A walk in the ‘footsteps of St Ronan’ is done in silence, and reflects forgiveness and mediation.
The elaborate procession typically takes place at the beginning of July and is a colourful display of blue banners and gold costumes.
Locronan has a deep-rooted history in textile production, using locally grown natural materials like hemp to manufacture useful fabrics. In the 14th century, the village was put on the textile map for weaving sailcloths used for large fleets of ships.
By 1505, when the village was visited by Anne of Brittany while on a pilgrimage, she granted Locronan official town status. Today, Locronan has a mere population of under 1,000 people, but its beauty and charm means it welcomes almost half a million visitors on an annual basis!
Best things to do in Locronan
Though it has to be said there are not many visitor attractions to see in Locronan, its medieval charm and rich history alone make it worth visiting. That being said, you’ll likely only need to set aside a morning or afternoon to explore this quaint little pocket of the Brittany region.
Church of Saint Ronan
Situated in the heart of the town and thanks to donations from the Dukes of Brittany, is the 15th-century church that was built in the form of a cathedral. The beautiful église Saint-Ronan as it’s known in French, is an architectural gem that was built over the tom of Saint Ronan in the Gothic style. It also houses some of St Ronan’s ancient relics.
One of the most notable and interesting features of this sacred space is the green wooden pulpit which is a true masterpiece to behold! Intricately carved and painted, it displays scenes that depict Saint Ronan’s life in Brittany.
Locronan cemetery
Directly outside of the back of the church, you’ll find the cemetery, which is filled with tombstones and grave markers. It’s worth a short visit and gives another unique perspective of the main church in town.
Chapel of Notre-Dame de Bonne Nouvelle
This ancient chapel was built between the 15th and 17th centuries and is also one of the twelve stages along the famous pilgrimage route, the Grande Troménie. It is surrounded by a calvary and a beautiful fountain.
Wander around
One of the best ways to soak up this charming and unspoiled Brittany town is to simply wander around and marvel at the distinctive local granite-built houses, all of which are different heights, date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and have distinctive architectural features that give them a unique character.
Although Locronan welcomes a few hundred thousand visitors per year, it never feels too busy like other towns in Brittany and you’ll sometimes even find you have the cobbled silent streets all to yourself, especially if you visit early in the morning on a weekday!
There are also several paths into the woodlands and surrounding natural landscape which you can follow along and see local wildlife and flowers.
Relax in Place de l’Église
One of the most charming spots in Locronan is the square directly outside of the entrance to the church. This is where you’ll find several restaurants, as well as the tourist office, where you can pick up leaflets about things to do in the nearby region, as well as a suggested walking route map of the town.
Views of Locronan
Although the village is built at the foot of the hill, there are still some beautiful vantage points from which to soak up and marvel at the natural landscape. There two particularly beautiful views to enjoy the beauty of Locronan are:
From next to Manoir de Kerguénolé – If you head up onto the hill above the town, then you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views overlooking the Bay of Duarnenez and beyond.
On rue Moal – This view is of sloping cobbled lanes lined with traditional Breton houses, a scene which feels as though it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale book.
Sample local food
There are a few delicious places to dine in town and sample the local galette, a savoury buckwheat pancake which is made with eggs, vegetables, ham, and cheese. Most restaurants in town serve up galettes, but whichever you choose to dine at, make sure you book a table in advance as everywhere fills up fast!
- Crêperie Le Temps Passé – We personally dined here. Although the name translates to ‘Time Passed’ it does not feel like that whatsoever. Set within a rustic medieval granite building we greatly enjoyed stopping for a snack here.
- MAISON GEORGES LARNICOL – MOF – Biscuiterie Chocolaterie – At this shop, you can buy fresh biscuits, fresh cakes, and freshly churned butter. A regional delicacy you can buy from here is Kouign-Amann, a sweet Breton cake made with laminated dough and layers of butter and sugar.
- Chez Annie – This charming crêperie serves coffees, crêpes and according to reviews, one of the best croque monsieurs!
- MAISON GEORGES LARNICOL – MOF – Biscuiterie Chocolaterie – This pastry shop, bakery, and chocolatier sells all kinds of local sweets, including plenty of versions of the Kougin Amann, a tasty Breton pastry that is created primarily from butter and sugar!
Visit the nearby town Quimper
The neighbouring picture-perfect town Quimper is situated around a 20-minute drive from Locronan and is also very worthwhile visiting while in the area.
Originally settled during Roman times, Quimper is the Celtic capital of the region, and as a result, you’ll find many Celtic influences throughout the settlement.
The architecture of the town is characterised by small footbridges over the many streams punctuating the town, as well as Gothic architecture which dates back to the 13th-16th-Centuries.
What to know before visiting Locronan
The easiest way to reach the village is by car. Unfortunately, you have to pay to park at one of the large parking lots on the outskirts of town and the fee is a rather steep €4 for all day parking (you can’t pay for less). And while that doesn’t seem like much, it is much more than most places in the region where it’s completely free to park!
Where to stay in Locronan
Despite its size, there are a surprising number of options when it comes to choosing a place to stay in Locronan. Although there are several towns in Brittany which are a little more lively, if you’re looking for a peaceful medieval retreat then Locronan makes for an idyllic place to base yourself. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):
Logis Le Prieuré – This simple hotel offers amenities, including free WiFi, a garden and an outdoor covered terrace, as well as a continental breakfast served every morning. Small but cosy and an ideal place to stay. Check prices and availability here.
Hôtel Relais de Trefeuntec – Although not technically in Locronan, this hotel is situated a 10-minute drive from the town and is right next to the beach! Typical of the Brittany-style and just 150 metres from Ste Anne La Palud Beach this easy-going hotel offers free WiFi, and a buffet breakfast each morning and is close to an abundance of outdoor activities. Check prices and availability here.
Travelling to Brittany soon? Read our guide to the 10+ Best Things to do in Brittany, France or better yet, we’ve planned out a long weekend, The Perfect Weekend in Brittany (Suggested 3-Day Itineraries) to make travelling that bit easier!
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