Route of Sainte-Barbe and Saint-Fiacre chapels in Le Faouët

Starting from the 16th-century market halls of Le Faouët, this route climbs up a very pretty rocky path to the Sainte-Barbe plateau, where you can discover the site of the Sainte Barbe Chapel, built between 1489 and 1512. The site is known for its pardon. The path descends towards the fountain and the banks of the Ellé, a fast-flowing river winding between two steep banks. The path follows the river, then heads through the woods towards the Saint-Fiacre Chapel. Built between 1450 and 1480 in a flamboyant Gothic style, it has a splendid polychrome wooden rood screen. The climb back up to the village is through the woods, passing through the beautiful hamlet of Kerly.

Details

37692072
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 159 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 163 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 177 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 58 m

Description of the walk

Starting point at Les Halles du Faouët. Parking available on site.

(S/E) Head north, cross at the pedestrian crossing and take Rue des Halles.

(1) Continue almost opposite on Chemin de Sainte-Barbe, following the yellow markings all the way. At the last houses, continue straight on along the path that follows the tarmac road.

(2) Go through the tunnel under the main road, turn right towards the Kercadoret buildings and the museum, then continue to the Sainte-Barbe Chapel.

(3) Walk around the chapel and admire the monumental staircase: in winter, open on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Then head north to descend to the Fontaine Sainte-Barbe: be careful of slippery rocks on the path.

(4) Turn right at the hairpin bend, which leads to the access road to the Moulin du Grand Pont, and follow it to the right until you reach the junction with the D132 at a place called Grand Pont.

(5) Turn right and walk a few dozen metres, cross the road carefully and take the path opposite marked with a yellow cross that runs alongside the river. In winter, if there has been heavy rain, this passage may be flooded: in this case, bypass the industrial estate by following the road and the yellow markings.

(6) Turn left onto the small road that runs alongside the D769 and then veers away from it to reach Moulin Berzen. Continue along the path, turn right before the campsite and take the tunnel under the D769.

(7) Cross the D782 and take the path opposite, which immediately turns right and leads through the woods to the Fontaine Saint-Fiacre fountain.

(8) Continue, turn left at the fork and go straight ahead to the Chapelle Saint-Fiacre: in winter, open on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Admire the rood screen.

(9) Turn back, cross the small road again, then leave the path you arrived on to your right and continue straight ahead to the ponds of Lande de Saint-Fiacre.

(10) Cross the road and take the path opposite, which approaches the D970 and runs alongside it for about 200 metres.

(11) Cross the departmental road with caution and continue along the path.

(12) At the crossroads, follow the yellow markings to the right, then turn right again towards Kerly. Cross the hamlet to reach the D782.

(13) Cross carefully, then turn right and follow the road for about 100 metres. Turn left onto a path through a wooded area before coming out onto Rue de Kerosa. Turn right and continue to a large crossroads. Take Rue de Quimper (D782) opposite and continue to the junction with Rue Léopold Bargain.

(14) Turn left, then right onto Rue du Belvédère. At the end, turn left onto Rue Carant-du-Four and then right onto Rue Poissonnière to reach Les Halles and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 141 m - Market halls, car park
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 145 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 0.85 - alt. 100 m - Tunnel
  4. 3 : km 1.61 - alt. 168 m - Chapelle Sainte Barbe (Le Faouët)
  5. 4 : km 1.93 - alt. 113 m - Saint Barbara Fountain
  6. 5 : km 2.69 - alt. 78 m - The Grand Pont - Ellé (fleuve) à finaliser
  7. 6 : km 3.91 - alt. 63 m - Junction, on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.65 - alt. 70 m - D782
  9. 8 : km 6.45 - alt. 87 m - Saint-Fiacre Fountain
  10. 9 : km 7.02 - alt. 100 m - Chapelle Saint-Fiacre (Le Faouët)
  11. 10 : km 7.58 - alt. 90 m - Ponds
  12. 11 : km 8.35 - alt. 102 m - D970
  13. 12 : km 8.79 - alt. 105 m - Fork in the road to the right
  14. 13 : km 9.25 - alt. 108 m - D782
  15. 14 : km 10.39 - alt. 137 m - Rue Léopold Bargain
  16. S/E : km 10.73 - alt. 141 m - Market halls, car park

Notes

Shelter: Faouët Market Hall (S/E).
Shelter: Sainte-Barbe Chapel (3).

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
clossaintange
clossaintange

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The two chapels and Les Halles make this route a must! You hike through the forest to the River Ellé, with beautiful views from the Chapel of St. Barbe and impressive panoramas!

Machine-translated

User 2184404

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with lovely chapels to discover, especially the Sainte-Barbe chapel, which is located in an exceptional setting.
It was warm and very pleasant in the woods, with a picnic by the river. However, the last part of the route is much less pleasant on the road. We would do it again, but in the opposite direction. First the road and then the beautiful natural areas.

Machine-translated

Lskn22
Lskn22

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route starts in Sainte-Barbe, which means that the final steep climb was a bit tough in the heat.
There are two beautiful chapels to discover, but unfortunately Sainte-Barbe is closed on Mondays.
The route is fairly shaded, which is pleasant in hot weather.
Bucolic along the Ellé river.

Machine-translated

FATHIGAHU
FATHIGAHU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with little road travel. Apart from the climb up and down to the site of St. Barbe Chapel, where you need to be careful in wet weather, there are no major difficulties. The hike was done after two weeks of dry weather, which meant there were no muddy sections. Be careful, however, as some sections can be difficult in wet weather. I highly recommend it. Thank you for this route.

Machine-translated

kervily
kervily

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat challenging hike for hikers accustomed to the topography of the Bigouden region, but very rewarding due to the diversity of its different sections and the beauty of its various religious buildings.

Machine-translated

Gegebibi
Gegebibi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting route. Challenging, with significant elevation changes.

Machine-translated

Cadubra
Cadubra

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is not particularly difficult, although the climb to St. Barbe Chapel is a bit tough on the calves.
Shady path.
Two points of interest: St Barbe Chapel and St Fiacre Fountain. Apart from that, a pretty country lane.

Machine-translated

Jacquouille 56
Jacquouille 56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, physically demanding at first, but pure joy, tranquillity, birdsong, the murmur of the River Lelle accompanying us, beautiful chapels.

Machine-translated

Kouignaman
Kouignaman

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk in nature, with very little road and pleasant natural landscapes.
I recommend it.

Machine-translated

miko. sab
miko. sab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lot of interest, both in terms of heritage and nature. What a joy!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.