From Lehon Abbey to Saint-Pern

(S) The starting point is in front of Lehon Abbey, which I invite you to visit (if only to see the interior of the cloister and the gardens).

(1) Ille and Rance Canal.

(2) Start by taking the small street that leads down to the canal. This is a picturesque street with stone houses. At the bottom of the street, take the towpath that runs along the canal upstream to the right. Continue along the path (^GR®® 34c) for several kilometres and pass the Mottay lock.

(3) Continue for another 700 metres after this lock and turn right (be careful not to miss the grassy path that goes uphill)

(4). Then take the small tarmac road and turn left to reach the hamlet of Bétineuc

(5) When you reach the junction with the D 78, follow it for 50 metres to the right and take the path towards La Béchardais on the left

(6) Wind your way through the fields and cross a small bridge. Go through the hamlet of La Béchardais

(7) Turn left, following the yellow signs for the Betineuc circuit. Enter the woods and follow the path to the left until you reach the pond (keep to the right of the pond). Follow the yellow signs and pass the old Romanesque church ruins of Saint-André-des-Eaux, which still has some beautiful stonework.

(8) Continue until you arrive in front of the famous restaurant in Saint-André-des-Eaux: L’Eprouvette.

(9) Take the main road on your left. Continue along this road, cross the bridge and cut across the D39.

(10) Continue to Ville Even and turn left, then after 200 metres turn right towards the Bigot cross.

(11) Continue in the same direction as when you arrived (dirt road) towards Lande Orice.

(12) Turn left, then 250 metres to the right.

(13) Continue to Fournet. Be careful, this is tricky: you will need to walk along the trees in front of you at the edge of the field to rejoin the road further north (see map). Get back on the path and continue.

(14) When you reach the junction with the D26, turn left. Continue to Clos Tirard via the departmental road

(15). From there, head south towards the television relay antenna, which will guide you to the end! Continue and pass a small chapel. Leave it on your left and continue south. Continue along the path through the fields for several kilometres, winding your way to Les Gatis

(16). Be careful not to head towards Bécherel; you will need to turn right, then left and right again. (See the map itinerary).

The St Joseph tower in St Pern is now in sight and will guide you to your destination. Pass the Fournet, then turn left and right to reach Trégou and arrive at Rochelet, close to your final destination, via a field. Follow Rue de La Villemarque.

(17) Take the long avenue on the right again and turn left at the end and you're there! (E).

(1) This is the old Romanesque church of Saint-André-des-Eaux: dating from the 11th century, it is listed as a historic monument. It can be found at the end of a path, at the foot of the yew tree (listed as a remarkable tree). The remains of the church overlook the Bétineuc pond. The church, with its surrounding cemetery, was built at the instigation of the lords of Plouasne, but as it was often inaccessible due to flooding from the Rance, the decision was taken in 1892 to build a new sanctuary on higher ground (information provided by Mamath)

• Depart from Léhon, take the bus to Dinan from Rennes or Dinard (check timetables).
• From Saint-Pern, hitchhike and take the bus to Rennes or Dinard at Bécherel (not far away).
• Set off with good walking shoes and a map of the route (highly recommended).
• You can do this route as a pilgrimage to St Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor (Mother House in St Pern).

• The canal locks.
• Ruins of the old Romanesque church in St André des Eaux and its yew tree (8). Dating from the 11th century and listed as a historic monument, it can be found at the end of a path, at the foot of the yew tree (listed as a remarkable tree); the remains of the church overlook the Bétineuc pond. The church, with its surrounding cemetery, was built at the instigation of the lords of Plouasne, but as it was often inaccessible due to flooding from the Rance, the decision was taken in 1892 to build a new sanctuary on higher ground (thanks to Mamath for the explanations).
• Visit Bécherel, the city of books, enjoy a hot chocolate in the middle of winter on a Sunday at one of the town's bookshops... it's a dream come true!
• Visit the nearby Quiou with its archaeological excavations, the land of faluns, which produces the famous local rock!
• Visit Dinan... of course, with its ramparts, old town and bell towers.