Easily accessible from the expressway, the small commune of Lothey lies to the east of Châteaulin
and to the south of the Aulne canals.
Here, the presence of numerous waterways has enabled human occupation since Neolithic times.
Come and enjoy the peace and quiet of a relaxing natural setting.
And check out our favorites below!
In the heart of Lothey
The centerpiece of this peaceful little village is, of course, the parish church. It was built between 1890 and 1901, to plans by architect Armand Gassis. In fact, the pre-existing building had been deemed too small for the thousand or so inhabitants of the late 19th century. If you pick up the key from the town hall a few steps away, you'll be able to discover some interesting statuary. Depending on the time of day, the stained-glass windows illuminate the high altar with a beautiful light... The connoisseur of heritage will also appreciate admiring a kersantite pietà in the placître.
Kersantite rock
Typical element of Breton heritage
Extracted near the Rade de Brest, kersantite magmatic rock has the particularity of being very malleable when first extracted, then becoming very solid and resistant over time... let's say centuries! This quality made it a favorite of Brittany's master sculptors. It can be found in Breton statuary and has become a typical feature of our architectural heritage. It's easily identifiable by its particularly dark hue. And we love the grain of this rock! You've often heard people talk about Kersanton granite... but that's a misnomer. To "shine in society" (just kidding), say "kersantite" instead!
We love the old town!
The old Saint-They church
Lothey had developed around two centers. On the one hand, on the Landrémel plateau, around the Saint-Fiacre chapel. On the other, here, in a meander of the River Aulne. In fact, until 1846, this was the main town of the commune! The old parish church, dedicated to Saint They, still stands in this Vieux-Bourg. It no longer has aisles or a spire. And it rarely opens its doors... However, you're sure to enjoy wandering around this charming corner, surrounded by flowers and old houses. A few steps will take you to the banks of the Aulne, or slip on your hiking boots for a stroll! Which tour name inspires you: "le Circuit de l'Aulne " or " la Montagne "?
In the meanders of the Aulne...
Along the Canal de Nantes à Brest
Lothey has a number of locks on the Nantes-Brest Canal: the Coat Pont lock, the Lothey lock, the Tréziguidy lock, the Guilliec lock and the Penarpont lock (also known as the Aulne lock). In the past, it was the canalization of the river in 1829 that opened up the communal territory. However, the exploitation of local produce - wheat, wood and slate - did not develop as hoped. Agriculture gradually replaced the slate quarries.
Photo credits: ©CL MHA - ©Emilie DEBRA (photo of Saint-They stained glass window), ©AG MHA (last photo).
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