Discovering the Bois d'Amour in Pont-Aven
Follow this path, just a stone's throw from Pont-Aven town centre, for a stroll through the landscapes that inspired such great painters as Gauguin and Sérusier.
A circuit accessible to all
... but on foot! The trail is not very accessible by bike. It's 9km long, easy to get to and well signposted. The start of the trail is close to Pont-Aven town centre, just off an alleyway lined with pretty Breton houses.
To get there, you can park your car in the school car park at Penanroz, on the Rosporden road.
Discovering the Bois d'Amour
This private wood, nestling close to the town centre, inspired the Pont-Aven painters because of its tranquillity, tall trees and changing light.
The tour begins at the Notre-Dame de Trémalo chapel. This chapel is now internationally renowned, as its polychrome wooden Christ on the Cross inspired Gauguin's famous Yellow Christ and its Self-portrait with the yellow Christ now in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Other artists had already been inspired by the little chapel itself in the 19th century before Paul Gauguin, including the American Frederick A. Bridgmann, the German Otto Weber and the Englishman George Sherwood Hunter.
photo : Office du tourisme communautaire de Pont-Aven à Concarneau
The chapel, built in 1550, is located on the heights of Pont-Aven, at the end of a long avenue of oak and chestnut trees from which the Bois d'Amour takes its name. It is open to visitors all year round, but is privately owned, so don't hesitate to make a donation towards its upkeep!
Continue along the banks of the Aven under the foliage. It's a pleasant walk, especially on a hot day, and there are benches where you can take a break. It was along this riverside path that Paul Sérusier, a post-Impressionist painter associated with the Nabi movement, found the inspiration for his work. Le Talisman, l'Aven au Bois d'Amour (1888), exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
The end of the tour takes you on footpaths through the countryside, returning you to your starting point in around 2h30-3h00 of walking.
Discover the Bois d'Amour in Pont-Aven
during your next stay at the campsite
Les Près Verts at the 4 Sardines in Concarneau!
