Ergué-Gabéric reconciles environmental quality and economic dynamism. Rich in natural sites such as the wooded site of Stangala, Ergué-Gabéric is bordered by two rivers, the Odet and the Jet.
History of Ergué-Gabéric
Ergué comes from Ar-Kae: the land in front of the fortifications. In the 12th century, the name Gabéric was added to Ergué. It is said to come from Cabellic, the name of the lords who occupied the Manor of Lezergué at the time. In 1822, a paper mill was set up there, which became the Odet paper factory, under the impetus of the Bolloré family. The latter oriented production towards the manufacture of cigarette paper (the famous OCB paper). Ergué-Gabéric then turned to the paper industry and saw the development of a working class community in Lestonan, alongside the original rural component.
Heritage of Ergué Gabéric
The town has a rich heritage of farms, longères and manors. The Manoir de Lezergué is listed as a Historic Monument.
The old village includes the church of Saint Guinal (16th century) and its Dallam organ (17th century), the presbytery (17th century) and its terraced gardens leading down to the washhouse. Further east, the sumptuous Kerdévot chapel (15th century) and its monumental calvary (16th century) has a beautiful Flemish altarpiece. In Lestonan, discover the valley of the Odet, the working-class town of Keranna near the old paper mill, the Stang Luzigou reach which fed the wheel of the paper mill, the paper mill street and its schools...
Two other remarkable chapels are worth mentioning: the Saint Guénolé chapel, with its statues of Breton saints, and the small Saint André chapel, from the beginning of the 17th century, and the Saint Jacques fountain which is associated with it.
[Click here to discover the inventory sheet of the Saint-Guinal church].
[Click here to discover the inventory sheet of the chapel ND de Kerdévot].
Natural Heritage of Ergué Gabéric
The commune is very large, with a large hilly bocage and wooded areas whose topography has been influenced by the rivers Odet, Jet and their tributaries.
The Stangala has deep gorges carved out over time by the Odet, where the walker can see the famous Griffonès spur classified as a "natural site and monument of artistic character". Also worth seeing is the Kerho arboretum in Lestonan, which has 48 forest and ornamental species on an 8-hectare botanical trail and its "trail of damsels". The path along the paper mill reach offers a lovely shady walk in the woods of Stang Luzigou.
This natural area offers numerous walks and mountain bike rides. 4 marked routes have been designed for two-wheelers.
The Stang Luzigou interpretation trail
A natural area needs to be monitored, maintained, cared for and cleaned, and many people work to make the site enjoyable for visitors.
The Stang Luzigou interpretation trail allows young and old to discover the treasures of this natural site. Discover the typical trees of the forest, spot the remarkable trees, read the landscape, discover the forest birds.... the many markers positioned along the route as well as your booklet will help you accomplish these missions!