Nevez Peninsual

Nevez from Anse de Poulguin to Port Manech

Kerascoet thatched cottages in Nevez
Kerascoet thatched cottages

Nevez, a charming rural enclave nestled on a small peninsula at the mouth of the Aven River, exudes a wild beauty.

The river has carved a series of rias into the the estuary, creating a collection of secluded coves and tranquil ponds.

In the 13th century, Nevez experienced a period of prosperity under the patronage of the knight Hervé. The descendants of this noble lineage held prestigious positions, notably as governors of Quimper and officers in the royal fleet during the 17th century.

Today, Nevez is the guardian of a rich cultural heritage and home to several remarkable sites that attract thousands of visitors each year.

Kerascoët, a village of thatched country cottages

Kerascoet thatched cottages in Nevez
Kerascoet thatched cottages

Kerascoët perfectly embodies Breton charm, with its timeless thatched cottages. Located just 5 kilometres from Pont-Aven, this former, modest fishing village traces its origins back to the 16th century. At that time, Kerascoët was merely a hamlet with a few thatched cottages lining a narrow lane.

In the early 1990s, these historic cottages underwent meticulous restoration, earning Kerascoët the nickname Village des Chauumières – Village of Thatched Cottages.

These cottages are not ordinary dwellings, however! Built from tall granite slabs, locally called “pierres hautes ormein zaoin” in Breton, these stones were quarried by ingenious stonemasons from the Kerascoët coastal cove between the 17th and 20th centuries.

Kerascoet thatched cottages in Nevez
Kerascoet thatched cottages

These flagstones were skillfully arranged to form the walls of the thatched cottages, fences, bread ovens, and wells, thus contributing to the village’s unique character. Another distinctive feature is that the roofs of these Kerascoët cottages are exclusively covered with thatch or reeds.

The neighbouring village of Kercanic, connected to Kerascoët by a marked trail, also boasts picturesque thatched cottages.

These two villages and their quintessential fishermen dwellings benefit from protected status, having been designated a “Paysage Reconquis – Reclaimed Landscape” by the Ministry of the Environment in 1993.

Along the Nevez Peninsula

tide mill - Moulin à marée du Hénan
Tide mill – Moulin à marée du Hénan

The Manoir du Poulguin, with its private chapel and dovecote, was built in the early 16th century. Located at the mouth of the Aven River, in the Anse de Poulguin (cove), this magnificent estate overlooks the river.

Not far away stands the second castle of Nevez, the Château du Hénan, dating from the 14th century. Situated downstream from Poulguin, it once controlled the heavy traffic of the estuary. Perched at the spot where the Aven carves a narrow passage, the ancient fortress overlooks a pond connected to the sea.

However, one of the landmarks of the Nevez region is the Moulin à Marée du Hénan (Tidal Mill,) built in the 15th century, a testament to centuries of maritime trade and industry along the Aven.

Port Manech lighthouse in Nevez
Port Manech lighthouse

Port Manech, nestled at the mouth of the Aven River, boasts a picturesque lighthouse that guides fishermen and sailors to the estuary. This charming port was a popular seaside resort during the Belle Epoque and the beginning of the 20th century.

The opulent Hôtel Julia, built in 1920, is one of the vestiges of this bygone era. This luxurious establishment was the meeting place for celebrities and the high society of the time.

Finally, if you prefer to explore at your own pace, the old coastal path used by smugglers, known as the Chemin des Douaniers (Customs Officers’ Path), offers a scenic walk along the Nevez peninsula.

Department of Finistère
Coordinates: Lat 47.819167 – Long -3.792580

Credits: All pictures are ©Dominique Scaviner

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