Château de Kerjean,
a must-see in Finistère
On the coast of legends, the Château de Kerjean majestically welcomes visitors who arrive at its gates. Just as it once impressed King Louis XIII, it continues to fascinate young and old alike. An architectural jewel in the heart of North Finistère, a must-see for the whole family! Ar Kleguer, our campsite in North Finistère, presents you with a short guide before you set off to discover this castle, one of Brittany’s historic landmarks.
Discover a historic monument
of Renaissance architecture
In Saint Vougay, Finistère, 30 minutes south of our campsite, you’ll find one of the major symbols of Brittany’s history. Château de Kerjean has been a listed building since 1911.
It was built in the 16th century by a noble family from the Pays de Léon region. The wealth of Brittany at the time is reflected in its exceptional Renaissance architecture. Remarkably well-preserved, it continues to dazzle visitors.
The building offers 25 rooms for self-guided or guided tours. Some of them are equipped with multimedia equipment to help visitors discover and understand the history of the château, and of Brittany.
These fun activities are particularly popular with children. There may even be some funny stories to hold their attention…
A temporary exhibition is on display in the château’s logis during the entire period it is open to the public. It offers an in-depth look at a particular period in history.
The theme changes every year: the world in the 15th century, the great discoveries, etc. Admission to this ephemeral space is included in the tour.
Les Chemins du patrimoine en Finistère also organizes a wide range of family-friendly activities during the summer and school vacations: guided tours, flash visits and events with games and puzzles to solve, and themed workshops. What an opportunity to learn while having fun!
The grounds of Château de Kerjean
are open all year round.
Château de Kerjean occupies some 20 hectares of parkland. The thick wall that surrounds it commands the respect of those who venture here. Imagine the effect it had when it was first built! Its purpose was to impress visitors, to show the power and wealth of its occupants. And it certainly did!
In the park, don’t miss the 9 m dovecote at the entrance to the estate. Once again, an impressive piece of architecture with 984 pigeon-housing spaces. Only nobles were allowed to build this type of structure. A little further on, the 3 justice posts symbolize the power of the castle’s lords, who had the right to dispense justice and sentence people to be hanged.
The park is open all year round. It welcomes walkers and children with plenty of room to run around. You’ll also find picnic tables where you can enjoy a meal, or simply take a break while admiring the construction. A royal setting for lunch!
Family activities at Château
de Kerjean near the campsite
Do your children like to pretend they’re lords, knights, princes or princesses? Are you curious about history and heritage? Kerjean isn’t the only castle in Finistère worth a visit!
Within a twenty-kilometre radius of our campsite in Saint-Pol-de-Léon, you can visit two other buildings:
- the Château du Taureau, off the coast of the seaside resort of Carantec in the Bay of Morlaix, but visible from the coast;
- Château de Kérouzéré in Sibiril: access to the park is free all year round.
Farther from Saint-Pol-de-Léon, other fortresses and exceptional residences await you. Add Château de Kergroadez and its gardens to your Brittany vacation program. This will take you almost to the end of North Finistère. Take a detour to Brest to see its castle from the harbor and, finally, head south to the Domaine de Trevarez.
All these monuments are different, and can be visited perfectly as part of a historic it inerary. You can stay at the Ar Kleguer, where we offer 4* comfort and services, and ask us for advice on the best itineraries for your trip. The castles of Finistère amaze those who venture there in many ways. They are distinguished by :
- their location: on the coast, on the open sea or inland;
- their period of construction and style: Middle Ages, Renaissance ;
- their history, that of their occupants and the legends and anecdotes that accompany them.
our water park, the seaside and Morlaix
