Roc’helloù an Diaoul, douar mojennoù

The Devil's Rocks

Quimperlé les rias, a naturally inspiring destination
The Ellé valley
The Devil’s Rocks | Destination Quimperlé les rias

There's not really any question of the Devil when you discover the place! Trees as far as the eye can see, the sound of running water, little birds singing... Let's close our eyes and enjoy the moment. A few dozen steps, a path leading down to our destination... And there they are!

Magnificent Roches, for heaven's sake!

Piled up at the bottom of a valley, the stone blocks seem to be waiting to be moved. They seem to have been there forever. Yet legend has it that the Devil and Saint-Guénolé fought a fierce battle. The saint tricked the Devil into creating a chasm at the bottom of the Ellé.

This granite chaos is well worth a visit. The rocks that make it up are so well hidden by the surrounding trees that you'd think they were an army of trunks and branches ready to defend their fortress!

Although peaceful, the area is imbued with the magic and energy of the elements.

Climb the rocks, explore the little caves, go down to the river... Simple activities, but the best way to make sure you don't miss out on any of the sights!

Les Roches du Diable est un site naturel de renommée en Finistère sud.

Focus on: the legend of the Devil

Saint-Guénolé, who had come to evangelise the region, was seduced by this wild place where the stones look like objects and decided to settle there. Unfortunately, what he doesn't know is that this place of strange rocks is already the property of the Devil!

Saint-Guénolé and the Devil fought, the latter being defeated and forced to retreat to the other side of the Ellé. After this battle, Saint-Guénolé needed a bridge to cross the river in order to preach his message. He and the Devil made a pact: the first soul to cross the bridge would become the property of the Master of the Underworld.

The saint then made a squirrel or a cat, depending on the version, cross the bridge. The Devil, as in many Breton legends, was fooled. So offended was he by Saint-Guénolé's ruse that he sank into the Ellé and created a huge abyss.

According to legend, the Devil did not take his treasure with him. According to some, it is to be found in the abyss created by the Devil, while others believe it is still hidden in the forest, protected by a black goose and its young.

Summer or winter, alone or with the family, the Roches du Diable remain for me, one of the most enchanting places, its rocky chaos, marvellous for picnicking... and crabbing

Lauriane, a local expert

Natura 2000 site

Calm and restful, the Ellé valley is also impetuous and torrential. Classified as a Natura 2000 site, its wild, unspoilt nature is an ideal meeting place for anglers and lovers of remarkable natural spots. A legendary site in the Quimperlé region, the Roches du Diable can be visited in summer to enjoy the gentle waters of the river, or in winter to discover the force of the water as it smashes through the thousand-year-old rocks.

There are plenty of ways to admire the river Ellé, one of the wildest in Brittany, from its banks or from the top of one of the rocks. Whether you take the 2km walk around the site, on your own or with a guide, or the 15-20km hikes around the site, you'll discover beautiful panoramas and a heritage of watermills, chapels and wash-houses.

Les Roches du Diable est un site naturel grandiose dans le Finistère Sud.

The Ellé, a diabolical river

Paddle, paddle, you've got to paddle! Green and red gates, a white-water course, single-seater and double-seater kayaks. In winter, come and watch the national and international kayak competitions that take place here every year, punctuated by the impetuous nature of the Ellé! The reputation of the Roches du Diable natural site is well established. Many French kayakers have tried their hand at the course, which is known far beyond France's borders.

The site attracts a wide range of nature sports enthusiasts, not just those who love raging waters. Other activities include climbing, hiking, mountain biking and river fishing.

Tous les ans des compétitions de kayak sont organisés dans le Finistère Sud.