This walk, lasting around two hours and starting from the harbour in Pont-Aven, is a true artistic and natural pilgrimage. It allows you to combine the vibrant atmosphere of the artists’ village with the mystical serenity of its countryside, following in the footsteps of the artists who have shaped the history of modern art.
A walk through the village of the 14 mills
The route begins at the port of Pont-Aven, where the River Aven meets the sea. As you walk through the village, you’ll discover its rich industrial and artistic past, marked by its famous fourteen watermills that line the river. Art galleries and traditional galette shops bring the streets to life, but the call of nature soon takes over as you set off along the riverbanks.
The magic of the Bois d’Amour
The walk continues upstream along the Aven via the famous ‘Bois d’Amour’ promenade. This shaded path, lined with majestic trees and lulled by the lapping of water against the granite rocks, was a major source of inspiration for Paul Gauguin and his friends from the Pont-Aven School. It was here that theories on colour and form were debated, transforming this woodland into a veritable sanctuary of Impressionist and Synthetist painting.
The Chapel of Trémalo and the Yellow Christ
After leaving the riverbank, the path climbs towards the upper part of the village, leading to Trémalo Chapel. This 16th-century building, nestled beneath a canopy of trees, is world-renowned for housing the polychrome wooden crucifix that inspired Gauguin’s famous painting, ‘The Yellow Christ’. The chapel’s simplicity and the spiritual power it exudes provide a perfect conclusion to this walk. Combining architectural heritage, bucolic landscapes and artistic resonance, this route offers an unforgettable immersion in the soul of creative Brittany.
