Stroll through the maze of ruettes in Saint-Suliac

Starting point

The church, one of the oldest in Brittany. It was here that the Welsh monk, Suliau, founded the town in the 6th century, in 560. A church in the heart of the village, surrounded by its old cemetery and parish enclosure. Take a break inside the church to admire the stained glass windows and the many works dedicated to maritime heritage. A stained-glass window dating from 1908 will catch your eye, depicting a procession of sailors leaving for Newfoundland. The faces are those of real Suliaçais sailors. You can visit the tomb of Suliac, the Welsh monk, where an inscription on the church wall tells you the exact location.

As you leave the church, head towards the parish enclosure, behind the church, which will take you to the houses of Saint-Suliac, on the way these houses offer you a window with a view over the Rance.

Instant Panorama

Second stage, the little wells

Take the ruette des petits puits, you’re going to rush between the walls and discover the port of Saint-Suliac, the view over the Rance.

Legendary info: at the end of the street a well dating from the 17th century, which gave its name to the ruette. Legend has it that the well was rigged and gave access to an underground passage leading to the church and surrounding streets.

Third stop, the Port of Saint-Suliac

On the left, the water sports activities, and the road to Mont-Garrot, and on the right, you can see the oratory of the Virgin of Grainfollet and the slipway in the distance. The port of Saint-Suliac is a landmark in the village. Sitting on the benches and watching the peaceful Rance and the small boats resting is a must during your visit.
Some of the small boats are part of Saint-Suliac’s maritime history, the Doris, which were used for cod fishing. With a crew of 2 men, the dories were used to set and raise the lines. And also, the Chippe, a traditional boat used to fish for sand eels in the Rance estuary or on the sandbanks of Dinard and Saint-Malo.

Local info: You can watch the Chippe Maria, a replica of this traditional boat in the port of Saint-Suliac.

Instant Panorama

Fourth stage, the Marian cult

Several places dedicated to the Marian cult are remarkable in Saint-Suliac: the Vierge de la Bosse, the Virgin niches on the houses and the Oratoire de Grainfollet!
The Oratoire de Grainfollet: Shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Info “They say”: It is said that in 1874, the fishermen leaving for the countryside made a vow: if they all returned safely, they would build a shrine in honour of the Virgin at the place where their wives waited for the boats to arrive. It took 20 years before, in 1894, they finally all returned and fulfilled this promise. They built this oratory made of Mont-Garrot quartz.

Nowadays, every 15 August, there is a procession up to Grainfollet.

Instant Panorama

Prehistory information: Beneath this oratory is a Palaeolithic site containing more than 6,000 carved archaeological objects. Bones and teeth prove the presence of Mammoths. You could have met Manny, the mammoth from the Ice Age.

From the Oratoire de Grainfollet, you can return to the village via the ruettes, your wander will take you to the Vierge de la Bosse also known as the “Virgin of Sailors” reminiscent of the Virgin of Notre Dame de Lourdes, inaugurated in 1908 and set on a rocky mound of quartz from Mont-Garrot.

Last stop, the houses

The oldest date from the 17th century. Marked by village life, their names, the rounded front doors, the fishing nets on the facades all come from Suliaçois activities. A village of sailors, fishermen and farmers.

Go to:

La Grande Ruchée, named after the noise made by the many weaving looms.
At Impasse des châteaux, an old doorway with an original shape that made it easier for barrels to pass through.
And rue des Besniers, the name of an old factory where flax grown in Saint-Suliac was woven.
Be careful, don’t forget to look up to observe the carved stones, the little heads on the corners of the houses.

The soul of Saint-Suliac, is marked by events. Saint-Suliac Autrefois, the Doris festival, the Christmas market, Saint-Suliac in painting… Village festival atmosphere guaranteed! Where tradition and folklore come together!