I'd not heard of this place before stumbling across it while researching our current holiday. It's a project begun in 2009, to install 1,000 huge statues of saints connected to the history of Brittany, each individually sculpted from blocks of Breton granite. Up to now they have about 160, dotted about 2 or 3 fields in the middle of the Brittany countryside. The statues are amazing, some traditional, some in a more modern style but all completely individual, and HUGE! The whole set-up is very impressive. There is a visitor's centre, food outlet, toilets, you can see the sculptors working on their latest projects and a large car-park with dedicated disabled parking, parking for campervans and motorhomes (we even saw a car + Eriba caravan parked in there) and of course, cars. Entry to the site is free, but there is now a charge of €9 for parking (€3 for motorbikes). You can also walk your dogs around the site with you, on lead of course.
We visited last week and it was an amazing experience - so many sculptures you didn't know where to look and wander next, and that's with just 160 or so! Can't begin to imagine what it will be like when they finally get to the 1,000 they are aiming for.
Can thoroughly recommend for a day out.
“The Valley of the Saints is a Breton “Easter Island” which will eventually bring together 1000 monumental statues 4 meters high representing the founding Saints of Brittany. This “crazy” project aims to become a world showcase for Breton granite and a major tourist hub in Brittany.
“This human, artistic and economic adventure will create, beyond the pharaonic construction site of the 1000 statues, a living place, carrying the strength and richness of our culture. An information and documentation center on the Breton High Middle Ages, the period of the arrival of the Saints, will be a real source of information for all Bretons.
“This place will be a permanent stage for musical, theatrical, cinematic and historical reenactments. A Celtic monastery and its surrounding environment will also be reconstructed.”
Whatever the blurb says (I don't even know what a "pharaonic construction site" means - presumably something like the Pharoes did???), it's an amazing place to visit and I thought it worthy of being more widely known, as I'd not come across it before (or is that just me???).
So if anyone gets the chance, I would recommend going to have a look - especially as it's an almost free day out!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: La Vallee des Saints, Carnoet, Brittany.
via mobile 31/8/2023 at 6:27pm
