Not far from Rennes, the capital of Brittany, you can visit the Paimpont forest, also known as the mythical Brocéliande. This charming green oasis is the keeper of many secrets and legends. You have probably already heard about the Knights of the Round Table, the legend of Arthur, the wizard Merlin, the famous sword Excalibur, Lancelot, Morgan le Fay and the Lady of the Lake. All these stories are connected with the magical attraction of Brittany. The Brocéliande forest is the perfect mythical place where you can immerse yourself in the magical universe of history and nature.
According to legend, the wizard Merlin cast a spell on the boy Arthur. At the age of sixteen, the young man pulled the magic sword Excalibur from the stone that was firmly fixed there. After that, Arthur became king and founded the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Round Table. Later, Merlin fell in love with the Lady of the Lake. He discovered the secret of his magic in her, and she imprisoned him in a tower somewhere in the forest. The sorcerer died in captivity. But where is Merlin's tomb? According to Breton tradition, his tomb is located right in the heart of the Brocéliande forest under a megalith, which is located near the Fountain of Youth. This landmark is not easy to find, but it is part of the Arthurian Trail map, which you can get from the local tourist office. Every year, many tourists visit the tomb of the wizard Merlin, probably hoping to find something fabulous and inexplicable.
Another interesting place in the Brocéliande forest is the Arbre d'Or (Golden Tree). It is located in the heart of Val Sant Retour. Arbre d'Or is a work of art created by François Davin in 1991. After a devastating fire in 1990, the artist covered the bare tree trunk with gold paint to symbolize the rebirth of the forest, also proving the fact that nature is fragile and precious. The site is symbolically surrounded by five charred trees. But in the heart of the Brocéliande forest, you can also visit something completely different - the Paimpont forge. This site is an ancient metallurgical site and an exceptional industrial heritage of Brittany, classified as a historical monument since 2001. The site is open to the public and guided tours during the European Heritage Days.
After your visit and walks in the magical forest of Brocéliande, a mythical place in Brittany, the best way to relax is to treat yourself to a delicious and traditional Breton meal. You can’t go wrong if you choose a restaurant located in the middle of the forest in a completely restored mill called “Moulin de Brehaut”. In this restaurant you can enjoy a buckwheat pancake and drink a glass of cold cider served in a traditional “bol”.
What makes Brocéliande such a special place? It is the combination of the beauty of the natural surroundings, the magic of the Arthurian legends and the attraction of the Golden Tree. All the paths in the Brocéliande forest are amazing places. There are many important plants here, such as the famous "Golden Tree", the "Holy Grail" for medieval alchemists. There is also the Guillotine Oak, which is over a thousand years old, and the "Hindres Tree" with a diameter of 5 meters.
The Brocéliande forest invites you to discover the medieval images that made every stone, tree and lake in Brittany a magical symbol linked to the legend of King Arthur. A walk through this forest guarantees a strange energy that is not connected to reality.
