Trégunc Travel Guide

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The typical granite built church occupies the centre of the square and is surrounded by small shops, creperies, hair salons, banks, flower shops and a doctor's surgery.
The church was firmly closed with no visible notice as to whether it ever opened for visitors.

But I am always fascinated by the belfries of these Breton churches -and as the large paved area around the church was quiet I had a good opportunity to gaze at the amazing "flying gargoyles".

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I mentioned in my introduction that Tregunc, together with its neighbour Nevez, is known for a unique style of building construction dating from the 18th and 19th centuries which has left a legacy of unusual architecture - now protected as part of the national heritage..
It seems that early attempts to cultivate the land were impeded by the presence below the surface of enormous granite blocks of two meters and more in length.
Stone masons and quarriers were called in to raise them to the surface
The canny farmers then saw a use for them in the construction of farm buildings, dwellings and as boundary markers to stake out their claim to the land, and upon which to establish their domestic and farm buildings..
The tallest blocks were erected, side by side, in trenches to form the walls upon which roofs could be built - of thatch or other available materials; boundary walls and gateposts could also be made using these great stones.
So Les Clôtures et maisons en pierres debout were constructed.
Vestiges of these dwellings - many upgraded and in use as smart little homes today can be seen in the hamlets surrounding Trégunc and Névez.

One has to wonder what part these great granite blocks played in the creation of the hundreds of ancient menhirs and dolmens that can be seen throughout Finistere..

Tourism is important to the economy and the French have always run good local offices -previously known as Syndicats d'Initiative. That tradition is upheld here in a spacious, well stocked office.
We addressed the young woman on duty in French and she gave us the information we requested together with a clearly marked map, several brochures and a big smile.
Later after lunch she saw us returning to the car and ran out to mention a different road to the village we had enquired about that would take us past more of the architectural curriosities we were interested in. Great service!