Forges de Paimpont and Pont du Secret
The Paimpont Forges (ironworks) are nestled in the heart of the Forêt de Brocéliande, in the realm of Arthurian Legend. The forges were built in the 17th century on the banks of the tranquil Étang des Forges (pond). However, to reach them, people once had to cross the Pont des Secrets (Bridge of Secrets), which spans the calm waters of the Aff.
Legend has it that King Arthur entrusted Lancelot of the Lake, one of his valiant knights, with the mission of escorting Guinevere through the depths of Brocéliande to the Castle of Camelot, where their royal union was to be sealed.
However, once on the bridge, Lancelot and the beautiful Guinevere shared their first secret kiss. Lancelot then led Guinevere to the Rocher Glissant (Slippery Rock), where they lay down… the forest suddenly fell silent, the Aff River froze, and the wind stilled. It is said that in Old Breton, Aff meant kiss!
And though the details of their journey and its tumultuous aftermath are well known, the echoes of their romance still linger among the ancient trees and whispering streams of Brocéliande, where the secrets of the heart are forever intertwined with the magic of the forest.
The Celtic blacksmiths
The current Forges de Paimpont were established in 1633, but the site has been occupied since ancient times. Indeed, the Brocéliande forest long provided fertile ground for the iron-working industry.
Here, amidst the vast forests and numerous brooks and rivers, the Celts found deposits of iron ore and abundant wood, and used the power of water to fuel their forges.
The Celtic blacksmiths, who arrived in Brittany around 6000 BC, brought with them exceptional expertise in iron and steel-making. The master blacksmith was at the pinnacle of their society. He was revered for his skill in extracting iron from the earth and transforming it into metal through fire.
In the eyes of the ancients, the blacksmith’s skill was akin to magic, a divine art worthy of a god of metallurgy. It is said that he forged the legendary Excalibur, the mythical sword of King Arthur, here in the heart of Brocéliande!
Forges de Paimpont
The Forges de Paimpont stand on the site of this ancient Celtic village.
Generations of workers operated the blast furnaces and rolling mills there from the mid-17th century to the late 19th century. The Forges de Paimpont were one of the main industrial sites in Brittany in the 18th century.
Their location was indeed ideal, close to a vast open-pit iron ore deposit. The lake provided them with the water needed to operate the machines, and the surrounding dense forests provided the charcoal essential for burning the forges.
Sadly, they closed their doors at the end of the 19th century. However, the buildings, including the workers’ houses and the two small chapels built along the road, remained. The entire site was classified as a historical monument in 2001 and completely restored.
The Forges de Paimpont are now an open-air museum, open to the public.
Discover the magical Forêt de Brocéliande other sites
Tombeau de Merlin, Fontaine de Jouvence, Chêne des Hindrés, Château de Comper, Chêne d’Eon or Chêne à Guillotin, Fontaine de Barenton, Jardin aux Moines, Eglise du Graal in Tréhorenteuc, Miroir aux Fées and Arbre d’Or in the Val Sans Retour, Hostié de Viviane or Tombeau des Druides, Tombeau des Géants ou Roche à la Vieille, Abbey of Paimpont and Pierres Droites
Department of Ille-et-Vilaine
Coordinates: Lat 47.994245 – Long -2.140566
