Forges des Salles

Visit Forges des Salles, Brittany

Les Forges des Salles are situated south of Saint-Gelven, near Pontivy and on the border between the Morbihan and Cotes d'Armor departments of Brittany. The surrounding countryside, including the the forest of Quénécan and the Lac de Guerlédan, is very scenic.

Exploring the Forges des Salles

An unusual yet fascinating place to visit, the entire village here originally developed around a substantial charcoal industry based upon the wood that was readily available in the surrounding forest.

Half village, half museum, the Forges des Salles  are a remarkable site that has been preserved exactly as they were when production stopped in 1877.

During your visit you can see numerous buildings including the 18th-19th century charcoal factory, the simple worker's cottages, pretty terraced gardens running down the hill, the storage sheds, a small chapel, the accounts office, and the school exactly as they were at that time. The canteen was among our favourites, perhaps because it was easy to imagine the voices of the workers who crowded in here every day as a break from toiling in the hot forges.

(The one building you can't enter is the main house that was occupied by the 'master' of the forges, because it is still occupied by the family of the original owners.)

A unique opportunity to stroll around a 19th century village, the entire site is now registered as a National Historic Monument.

Note: the Forges des Salles are only open to the public between late spring and early autumn - you can choose between a guided tours or just strolling around yourself.

Around the Forges des Salles

Most visitors will also want to visit the ruins of the Abbey Notre-Dame de Bon-Repos, just a few kilometres from here.

There are also leisure opportunities at Guerlédan Lake, and plenty of opportunities for following trails in the Quénécan Forest that surrounds the Forges des Salles.

See Brittany and Cotes-d'Armor (the region and department for Forges des Salles) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Forges des Salles, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Guerlesquin 49km;

Forges des Salles tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Lac de Guerlédan - site of natural beauty (6km) : Jardin du Botrain - remarkable garden (10km) : Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marche - ville fleurie 4* (12km) : Jardin du Grand Launay - remarkable garden (18km) : Quintin - ville fleurie 4* (28km) : Jardin du Colombier - remarkable garden (39km) : Arboretum de Poërop - remarkable garden (49km) :

See more places and a map at places near Forges des Salles