Pierre Courcoulée

Let's take a walk in the woods... This is an invitation that cannot be refused, especially when it comes to the magnificent Fougères forest. This walk is a breath of fresh air for young and old, an enchanted interlude where steps gently sink into the paths, between dead leaves and the scent of damp moss..

And among the hidden treasures of this vast green setting, stands a stone witness to the time of the first men: the mysterious Pierre Courcoulée, a dolmen dating from the Neolithic period. A hike that combines nature, history, legends and simple pleasures... What more could you ask for ?

A departure in the heart of the Fougères forest

The hike begins in the heart of the immense Fougères forest, a veritable plant kingdom of more than 1,600 hectares, considered the largest beech forest in Brittany. Once a place of work and life for many artisans, it has seen generations of clog makers, the wood sculptors who fashioned the famous Breton clogs..

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were still around a hundred of them living in cabins or "lodges" scattered throughout the woods. Their tools echoed among the trunks, their know-how perpetuated to the rhythm of the seasons. Today, only one clog maker remains in the department, in Parigné, just a few kilometers away.

Following the forest paths, we can still make out, through the shadows of the large beech trees, the murmur of ancient gestures..

Unmissable stop: Pierre Courcoulée

After a short hour of peaceful walking, the enigmatic silhouette of the Pierre Courcoulée appears, nestled in the hollow of the woods. This dolmen, a vestige of the Neolithic period, is made up of twelve stone pillars and a table now broken in two. It is imagined to have been used in the past for mysterious rites or ancestral burials..

The place, silent and solemn, invites respect. The children's eyes widen. The adults murmur. We whisper hypotheses, we tell each other legends, we touch the stone hoping, perhaps, to feel a thrill from another time..

The Poulailler crossroads: a place of popular beliefs

A little further on, the hike passes through a place with a history as amusing as it is poetic: the Carrefour du Poulailler. Its curious name comes from an old local custom. Long ago, at the foot of an old beech tree, passersby would lay eggs in the hope of attracting luck, healing, or the mercy of fate..

As the eggs piled up, the place naturally took the name "Poultailler". The tree has disappeared, but it has been replaced by a cross: the cross of the Fouteau du Poulailler. About a hundred meters from the crossroads, a forest path leads you there, like a little enchanted detour.

Along the Nançon

The walk continues gently along the Nançon, the river that rises in Louvigné-du-Désert before joining the Couesnon. It crosses the town of Fougères and feeds the moats of its famous castle. The murmur of the water accompanies the walkers, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of this hike. You may occasionally come across dragonflies, trout, or tracks left by roe deer..

A fun ending at the Chênedet leisure center

After so much discovery and walking, why not extend the fun? The hike ends near the Chênedet leisure center, a little paradise for families. Here, outdoor activities are on offer: treetop adventures, canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, but also picnics by the water or swimming in summer. An ideal way to end the day on a fun and refreshing note.

Practical information

• Starting point: access from Fougères or the Parigné road.
• Duration of the hike: approximately 2 hours round trip (not including breaks).
• Difficulty: easy, accessible to children.
• To bring: good shoes, water, binoculars for the more curious, and why not a small notebook to note down discoveries or draw the Pierre Courcoulée.

A walk to dream and learn

Between unspoiled nature, historical heritage and unusual anecdotes, the Pierre Courcoulée hike is a great idea for an outing with family or friends. It brings back childhood memories, whispers of the past and promises of adventure. Whether you come to walk, explore, or simply breathe deeply, you always leave a little lighter... and a little more amazed.

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