Attractions and Places To See around Le Cours - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Le Cours are primarily found in the Morbihan region of Brittany, France. This area is characterized by its historical towns, such as Malestroit, and cultural sites. The landscape features rivers, including the Arz, and offers a blend of natural and man-made points of interest. Visitors can explore a variety of historical buildings, religious sites, and scenic spots.
Best attractions and places to see around Le Cours
- The most popular attractions is Historic centre…
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Historic centre of Malestroit
Highlight • Historical Site
A thousand-year-old village, Malestroit still houses houses from the 15th and 16th centuries as well as locks, mills and churches full of stories.
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Notre-Dame de Cran Chapel
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Chapel of La Vraie-Croix
Highlight • Religious Site
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Place du Bouffay
Highlight • Settlement
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Mills of Île Notre-Dame in Malestroit
Highlight • Monument
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13th century chapel classified as a Historic Monument, as are the crypts located under the chapel. This atypical monument with its impressive staircase has the particularity of being built above a public road. It has a magnificent wooden altar, a bronze reliquary, and a pretty stone bell tower.
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... and we almost drove past. The medieval town is worth visiting twice! The buildings have great architecture and there are plenty of restaurants.
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It's really worth visiting! Beautifully renovated and maintained houses from the 15th and 16th century create an amazing atmosphere of a truly historic village. True wonders of ancient architecture.
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Of the chapel built in the 13th century, only an original portal remains. The rest of the chapel dates from the 16th century. The granite building was restored at the end of the 20th century by Bâtiments de France and classified as a Historic Monument since 1926, as were the crypts under the chapel. The Chapel is open to the public every day, from Easter until All Saints' Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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Beautiful small town with stone and half-timbered houses worth seeing. The founding of Malestroit dates back to 987, when monks settled on the banks of the Oust. The place became a stage destination on the Way of St. James, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. In 1131 the place was mentioned under the name Malestricum. During the Hundred Years' War in 1343 in the chapel de la Madeleine in Malestroit by the French king Philip VI. and the English King Edward III. signed a ceasefire. At the end of the Middle Ages, Malestroit became one of the nine baronies of Brittany. At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon I commissioned the construction of the Canal de Nantes à Brest, initially for military reasons, but later also with the aim of connecting the interior of Brittany to commercial goods traffic. Source: Wikipedia
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The veneration of the Holy Cross goes back in large part to Saint Helena, who was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great (who, after his victory at the "Milvian Bridge" outside Rome, recognized Christianity as a religion and in 312 the long time of persecution ended with the Milan “Tolerance Edict”). In the early fourth century she undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel / Palestine) and brought numerous relics from there to Europe, including the "True Cross" on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Helena is therefore often depicted with a cross as an attribute. The Church celebrates the feast of the discovery, presentation and veneration of the Holy Cross – called “Exaltation of the Cross” – on September 14th.
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Installed since the 12th century and symbolizing seigneurial power, water mills rise on Île Notre-Dame and along the river to produce tan, essential for the activity of tanneries, flour and cloth. by treading on woven fabrics. In the 19th century, only two mills remained in Malestroit, one for tan and the other for flour. The flour mill becomes a tan mill to meet the demands of tanners: two weirs allow water to be retained. Returned to a flour mill in the 1950s, it closed in 2007
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Thanks to its half-timbered houses, its stone facades and its sculptures, Malestroit is labeled “city of character”. A thousand-year-old village, Malestroit still houses houses from the 15th and 16th centuries as well as locks, mills and churches full of stories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Le Cours?
The region around Le Cours is rich in history. You can visit the Historic centre of Malestroit, a thousand-year-old village with well-preserved 15th and 16th-century houses. Another significant historical site is the Mills of Île Notre-Dame in Malestroit, which date back to the 12th century and symbolize seigneurial power. Additionally, the Place du Bouffay in Malestroit offers a medieval square with historic woodcarvings.
Are there any religious buildings or chapels worth visiting near Le Cours?
Yes, there are several notable religious sites. The Notre-Dame de Cran Chapel is a charming chapel classified as a Historical Monument, featuring 16th-century wall frescoes and a Calvary. Another significant site is the Chapel of La Vraie-Croix, a 13th-century granite building also classified as a Historic Monument, known for its impressive staircase and being built above a public road.
What family-friendly attractions are available around Le Cours?
Families can enjoy exploring the Historic centre of Malestroit with its picturesque houses. The Notre-Dame de Cran Chapel and the Mills of Île Notre-Dame in Malestroit are also suitable for family visits. For a broader experience, the nearby Zoo and Botanical Garden of Branféré, located about 18.3 km away, offers nature and wildlife experiences for all ages.
Where can I find places to eat or have a coffee in the area?
The Place du Bouffay in Malestroit is a great spot, featuring the outdoor seating of several restaurants and cafés. It's a lively medieval square where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
What outdoor activities, like running or cycling, can I do near Le Cours?
The area around Le Cours offers various outdoor activities. For running, you can find trails such as the 'Running loop from Dolmen de la Forêt de Coëby' (4.6 km, easy) or the 'Menhir du Clos-Bono loop from Le Cours' (8.5 km, moderate). Cyclists can explore routes like 'The Oust River and Its Locks – Magpie Island loop' for gravel biking (59.9 km, moderate) or road cycling routes like 'Historic centre of Malestroit – Malestroit Lock loop' (77.1 km, moderate). You can find more details on these activities in the Running Trails around Le Cours, Gravel biking around Le Cours, and Road Cycling Routes around Le Cours guides.
Are there any museums or cultural sites nearby?
Beyond the historical sites within Le Cours, you can explore several museums in the wider Morbihan region. The Museum of the Breton Resistance is located 8.6 km away, offering insights into local history. For a unique artistic experience, visit Le poète ferrailleur / Museum of the Junkyard Poet in Lizio, about 14.3 km from Le Cours. The Naïa Museum in Rochefort-en-Terre is also approximately 13 km away.
What do visitors enjoy most about the Historic centre of Malestroit?
Visitors particularly appreciate the Historic centre of Malestroit for its beautifully renovated and maintained houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. The half-timbered houses, stone facades, and sculptures create an amazing atmosphere, earning it the label “city of character”.
Can I find any castles or ancient fortifications in the vicinity of Le Cours?
Yes, the region has several historical castles. Largoet Castle in Elven is approximately 8.9 km from Le Cours, and Chateau De Tredion is about 9 km away. These offer glimpses into the area's medieval past.
What is the significance of the Mills of Île Notre-Dame in Malestroit?
The Mills of Île Notre-Dame in Malestroit are significant as they have been installed since the 12th century and symbolized seigneurial power. Historically, these water mills produced tan for tanneries, flour, and cloth, playing a crucial role in the local economy.
Are there any swimming facilities or recreational pools near Le Cours?
Yes, Pool Beau Soleil, a swimming facility in Questembert, is located about 10 km from Le Cours, offering a place for recreational swimming.
What makes the Notre-Dame de Cran Chapel unique?
The Notre-Dame de Cran Chapel is unique for its beautiful architectural ensemble, including surrounding stone country houses and a Louis XIII-style mansion. Inside, visitors can admire a beautiful wooden framework, black and white checkered paving, large wall paintings from the late 16th century depicting the lives of saints, and carved sand pits. It's also classified as a Historical Monument.
What kind of views can I expect from the Place du Bouffay?
From the Place du Bouffay, you can enjoy great views of the Île-Notre-Dame, which was created by the splitting of the Oust River into several arms. The 'new' bridge and old promenade along the Oust River also offer scenic perspectives.
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