Boishardy’s Hideout in Bréhand

Park at the side of the road near the hamlet known as Le Moulin de Queslon. Please ensure you do not obstruct traffic.

- The route is marked with a white arrow on a blue background

(S/E) From the car park, follow the path marked with a yellow line along the leat of the mill and continue to the Boishardy cache. Beneath these boulders is a cavity whose entrance is currently blocked, preventing entry.

(1) Take the sharp right-hand bend, pass under a power line and continue along the Ruisseau Margot to a cross path.

(2) Turn right, cross the stream and arrive at a crossroads. Turn left to reach the stream.

(3) Continue along the path beside the stream, cross it to reach the stony track which joins the tarmac road; take this road to your left.

(4) At the next junction with a cross, turn left, passing the Manoir du Bois Hardy on your right – this is the birthplace of General Bois Hardy. Then continue straight on to the next junction.

(5) Turn left and return to the car park near the hamlet of Moulin de Queslon (S/E).

General Boishardy

Born on 13 October 1762 at the Château du Boishardy, in the commune of Bréhand (Côtes-du-Nord, now Côtes-d’Armor), Jérôme-Sylvestre-Amateur (and not Charles, as erroneously stated in many biographies) Le Bras de Forges du Boishardy, known as Boishardy, initially served as an officer in the Royal Marine regiment. Having left the service at the outset of the Revolution in 1792, he joined the conspiracy led by Armand-Charles Tuffin, Marquis de La Rouërie (1751–1793), who appointed him commander of the military forces of the Breton coalition in the department of Côtes-du-Nord.

Having managed to escape the death sentence imposed on him for his involvement in this enterprise, he remained in hiding for a month in the commune of Bréhand and the surrounding area, wearing various disguises, with the aim of persuading the peasants to rise up. When he found them resolved to follow him, he went, on 23 March 1793, at seven o’clock in the morning, to the cemetery at Bréhand, dressed as a peasant and armed with a double-barrelled shotgun. The Revolution, in need of soldiers, had ordered that a lottery to select combatants be organised by commune. From the cemetery walls, Boishardy harangued the peasants, tore up the list of young men who were to take part in the draw, and made them pledge to follow him and free the prisoners, should any be taken.

Further details: https://www.france-pittoresque.com/spip....

An easy, picturesque route with very little elevation gain in a place once frequented by an illustrious ‘hero’ of the commune of Bréhand; with a bit of luck, you might even spot his ghost…

If you’re a motorhome owner, there’s a motorhome stopover with free facilities on Rue de Launay in Bréhand.

This route has been created by the local council with the help of volunteers from the town