A historic hemp-weaving village, Locronan is named after Saint Ronan, the Irish hermit who founded it in the middle ages. In the 15th century, the dukes of Brittany poured money into building the striking Gothic church. Visit the Chapelle du Pénity, which houses Saint Ronan’s tomb.
During the Renaissance, the village became famous for its weaving industry, providing canvas sails for the East India Company and the French navy (visit the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire). The East India Company’s offices still stand on the village square, as well as 17th-century merchants’ dwellings. Locronan is often used as a film location: A Very Long Engagement (with Audrey Tautou and Jodie Foster) was shot here, as was Roman Polanski’s Tess. The 16th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle has stained-glass windows by 20th-century painter Alfred Manessier. A sacred path on the hillside attracts pilgrims, there are great views from Locronan mountain, and the Nevet woods have lovely walks.
