Poulmarvezen was formerly a farmstead whose history can be traced
back for centuries. The original choice of the site for a farm was on
account of the natural spring that occurs here, (even to this day),
and the unique Breton name Poulmarvezen reflects this (Poul, pool).
The oldest of the buildings that remain was built in the late 1600’s,
a fortified farm with its own stone spiral staircase in a stone
tower, complete with gun slit! The old prison has long since
disappeared, along with the right to imprison local miscreants. The
first addition to the longere (longhouse) was built in 1729, and the
standard of the finely dressed stonework reveals that the farm must
have prospered in the interim. Later additions were made in the early
1800’s.
Rose gardens and lawns now stand where once could be heard the sounds
of shire horses, cattle and people hard at work. What does remain is
the cluster of time-mellowed stone buildings, still surrounded by
completely unspoiled, beautiful, wooded, rolling countryside. In
total we have four acres of lawns, gardens, and woodland, complete
with a shady picnic area next to our own stream!
Poulmarvezen is also thought to have had religious and/or monastic
connections, as there are no records of taxes having been paid in the
distant past! A stone cross was discovered during renovations, hidden
under a stone-flag floor, possibly during the French Revolution.

Poulmarvezen is situated at the end of a very pretty lane, and as a
consequence there is no passing traffic, and therefore safe for
children. The absence of noise of any description is also very
noticeable. At night the sky is free from light pollution, and you
can touch the Milky Way. (not guaranteed!)



You are invited to spend a week or two (or more!) in this most
idyllic of settings. To this end we offer four properties, which have
been attractively restored and furnished to a very high standard: Le
Grenier, (The Loft), La Grange (The Barn), Le Relais des Pèlerins
(Pilgrims Rest) and La Ferme Fortifié (The Fortified Farmhouse).
All have fantastic views, and each has its own exclusive area of
garden complete with barbecue, table and chairs, and sun-loungers. If
there is a baby in your family we can supply cot, high chair and baby
bath free of charge.

The villages of Ploerdut and Lignol are each three kilometres distant
and offer restaurants, bars and boulangeries. The bar Chez Marie Thé
in Ploerdut (arguably the best in the area) serves an excellent four-
course lunch with wine for a remarkable 9 euros. Guemène-sur-Scorff
is ten minutes away by car and offers supermarkets, banks, a wider
range of shops, and even more restaurants.
The roads in this part of Brittany are very quiet even in the summer,
and it is possible to drive several kilometres without seeing another
vehicle.

The area is ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, painting and
drawing, photography, not to mention eating, and there is a multitude
of interesting places to visit within half an hours drive, including
the mysterious Chapelle St. Barbe (ring the massive bell), St.
Fiacre, Le Faouet market hall, Les Rochers Du Diable (white water
kayaking), the pretty Vallee-du-Scorff (picnic here), the Lac de
Guerladan (boating from a tree-shaded beach), and many local street
markets, notably Hennebont, Rostrenen, and further afield Vannes on a
Wednesday, all ideal for gourmets and photographers.
The Nantes-Brest canal, built by Napoleon (not personally) cuts
through the area and offers picturesque level walking. It was built
so that old Bonaparte could get his ships from North to South
Brittany and back without the English sinking them.