Treasure n°8 The nuggets of Saint-Suliac

Saint-Suliac, classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France®, is a real gem. This typical village captivates with its cobbled ruettes, its stone houses and its unobstructed views over the Rance. Ideal for nature and heritage lovers, Saint-Suliac offers the perfect setting for waterside walks and discovering its rich maritime past.

Be sure to visit the village church and get lost in its charming little streets.

1. The Grainfollet Oratory

The marines setting sail for the great fishery and their families had vowed to build this edifice if they all returned safely from the Grand Bank.

©Oratory and Grainfollet Virgin - Saint-Suliac|©AlexandreLamoureux

2. The church and parish enclosure

The church of Saint-Suliac is one of the oldest in Brittany; it is listed as a Monument Historique. The first Romanesque church was built in the early 11th century, of which only the west gable door (facing the shore) remains. The current Gothic-style church was built in the 13th century. Inside the church, you’ll find a number of works dedicated to maritime heritage, as well as ex-votos.

And to continue, a walk is on offer!

3. La vierge de la Bosse

Inaugurated in 1908, it is located on a rocky quartz mound on Mont Garrot, reminiscent of the Virgin of Lourdes. She is also known as the Vierge des Marins.

©Smbmsm Fete Des Doris Evenement Rance 5

4. The dories and the Chippe Maria

These boats were used to set lines to fish for cod on the banks of Newfoundland; a crew of two men would board them to raise the lines. The dories are still very present in Rance and are used for pleasure boating. La Chippe Maria is a traditional boat used by Suliaçais fishermen; the flat-bottomed craft was used to fish for sand eels in the Rance estuary. The chippe “Maria” is a replica of this traditional boat.

5. Les ruettes de Saint-Suliac

Saint-Suliac can be visited on foot, strolling along the ruettes; you’ll discover arched doorways, lintelled windows, thatched-roof houses, all architectural features that make the village of Saint-Suliac so rich!