Visit the Meneham website
From the Breton Menez Ham, "the hamlet behind the mountain", the site of Meneham in Kerlouan is a must for any visit to Pays Pagan. Make the most of your stay in North Finistère in a charming Slow village Breizh Légendes accommodation and let yourself be transported into the enchanting atmosphere of a mythical French village and discover the many facets of its age-old culture.
Meneham history and culture
Built in the mid-18th century 21 metres above the sea, between the Pontusval lighthouse and the Île Vierge lighthouseThe Meneham site was originally a guardhouse, strategically located to protect the coastline of northern Brittany. In 1792, the militia occupying the site were replaced by customs officers: the first real inhabitants of Meneham, they settled in the barracks with their families in the mid-19th century, before giving way to fishermen, seaweed growers and farmers.
History of fishing in Meneham
The destiny of the village of Meneham is inextricably linked with thehistory of fishing and the trade of seaweed harvesting in Brittany. In this hamlet of the village of Kerlouan, the first peasant farmers quickly turned to the riches of the sea, through coastal fishing and the harvesting of seaweed, used as fertilizer in the fields or burned to extract iodine.
Life in Meneham
The particular location of the hamlet, facing the sea and at a distance from any town or trading center, makes daily life difficult for the inhabitants. Young and old help each other in the village to carry out the tasks and chores necessary for all: fishing, harvesting seaweed, drying and burning it in dedicated ovens, working the land, raising livestock and washing clothes. However, the year is punctuated by the Pagan festivals and their festivities: dancing, singing and laughter echo through the village.
Legends and customs of Meneham
Meneham, Brittany 's emblematic hamlet of thatched cottages huddled against the rocks, is the stuff of inevitable legends. The village's history is closely linked to the myth of the shipwreckers: for a long time, the inhabitants of the coastal hamlet of Kerlouan were considered to be wreck raiders who would cause shipwrecks on stormy nights. In reality, Pagan country is a land of sharing and mutual aid, where festive and convivial customs have endured, such as the making of Pastès (festive bread) and the Dañs Round (traditional Brittany round).
Must-sees
Fishermen's houses
A symbol of Pays Pagan and a tourist mecca in North Finistère, Meneham is a picturesque site that seems to harbor the very soul of Brittany. Each fisherman's house nestles behind enigmatic rocks, in the heart of a grandiose landscape, a paradise for lovers of wide open spaces and unspoilt nature. Below, the white sandy beaches, sublime and exotic, evoke distant horizons.
The seaweed oven
Strolls along the Kerlouan coast will take you to several restored seaweed ovens, sometimes reused for demonstrations. They are precious witnesses to a unique know-how that has long been the lifeblood of the village.
On-site activities
Guided tours
One of the most picturesque and Instagrammable sites in France, the Meneham site in Kerlouan can be discovered in the company of a guide. Two tour options are available, one lasting an hour during the day, the other an hour and a half at dusk. During your vacation in North Finistère, you'll have the chance to travel back in time and shiver to the rhythm of Brittany's legends.
Workshops and events
During your stay in Pagan territory, enjoy a storytelling tour of Meneham based on the myth of the shipwreckers. In the evening of August, Ar vro Baga's sound and light show "Le Roi Arthur" plunges you into the daily life of coastal society in the 20th century. Lively Sundays in Kerlouan are also an opportunity to vibrate to the rhythms of Brittany's music, to taste festive bread baked in the village's communal oven, or to discover ancestral skills such as basket-making.
How to enjoy the Slow Village Breizh Légendes experience in Meneham
The Slow Village Breizh Légendes invites you to experience Brittany to the full, in a relaxing green setting just a stone's throw from North Finistère's most beautiful beaches. Just ten minutes from the Meneham tourist site, you'll find cottages and cabins with a natural feel and sea views. Between two days on the beach, don't miss the picturesque charm and fascinating scenery of the historic hamlet of Meneham, and take full advantage of all the activities organized on the site in season!
Meneham is the perfect place to take your best vacation photos in Brittany, but you'll also be fascinated by its history, legends and customs. Choose your charming vacation home at Slow Village Breizh Légendes and benefit from an ideal location near Kerlouan and many other must-see tourist attractions in North Finistère, from the Saint-Egarec chapel to the Keremma dune house and the Pontusval lighthouse.
