Huelgoat
The picturesque lakeside town of Huelgoat is situated within the heart of the Parc d’Armorique in Brittany France. It is surrounded by the “Enchanted Forest” of some 1167 hectares, where cascading waterfalls are fed from the river Argent.
You can access the many different walks by the bridge on the lake. You will come across the “Chaos”, giant granite boulders the size of houses, formed here and eroded over millions of years. Go a little further, and you can make your way down to the “Grotte Du Diable”, otherwise known as the Devil’s Cave. Water plunges deep down into a large cavern. It’s very dramatic, but if you have young children, take great care.
Beyond this are sparkling pools with stepping stones and small bridges. Look hard enough, and you may catch a glimpse of the odd Fee or Korrigan (fairies) that folklore has it, still reside within the forest.
Further on is the “Grotte d’Arthus”, a cave which was supposedly one of King Arthur’s last resting places. “La Roche Tremblante”, can be found above the Japanese water garden and café. It is a giant boulder weighing 137 tonnes which is balanced so precariously, that it can be rocked a couple of inches if you can find the sweet spot. Let the locals show you how.
Other places to visit include, “Le Gouffre”, a dramatic waterfall, “La Mare aux Sangliers”, the Wild Boar Pool, with giant boulders which you can leap between, “La Mare aux Fees”, The Fairies Pool, the old canal leading to the silver mine, “Le Champignon”, The Mushroom, and “Le Camp d’Arthus”, a Celtic settlement originally inhabited by the Osismii tribe. Caesar’s legions later occupied this site due to its high strategic position.
You will see a variety of birds living by the lake including, moorhens, herons, mallards, swans, gulls and cormorants. Carp, pike, perch, roach and tench can be fished in the lake. Licences are available from the Post Office in Huelgoat.
Behind the square as you go up the hill away from the direction of the Villa, is the Jardin Arboretum, a special garden where orchids, air plants and prized flowers only grow in this part of France, due to the clean rain which comes off of the Atlantic Ocean.
Huelgoat is well known for its spectacular scenery, woodland walks, rock formations and caves. It has many amenities, all within walking distance of the villa. They include lakeside bars and restaurants, a town square, with an abundance of traditional shops, two supermarkets and a cinema, bicycle hire, archery, fishing, boating and golf nearby. A lakeside footpath from the villa leads you to a children’s park by the lake. Further on from here can be found the local swimming pool and tennis courts.
There are plenty of creperies in Huelgoat, serving traditional Breton crepe.
In the late 1960’s, Jane Fonda practised making crepes at the creperie in the square while her then husband of the time, French film director, Roger Vadim, was shooting scenes in the forest. Sadly, Roger died on February 11th 2000.
On a Thursday there is a fresh food market. If you get there early around 9am, you
can buy freshly cooked organic, chicken, ham, paella, cheese, honey, fruit and vegetables.
Great for taking on a picnic, especially if you’re planning a day out.
Huelgoat is ideal for those who like walking, fishing, cycling or just immersing themselves in this tranquil part of France. There really is something for everyone here and it’s all in walking distance, the minute you step out of the villa.