Camors Forest – The Korrigans' Valley and Breton Legends

Camors Forest, nicknamed the "Korrigans' Valley", is a 650-hectare natural area where ancient megaliths, Celtic legends and unspoilt nature meet in harmony. Managed by the Office National des Forêts (ONF), this state forest in central Morbihan offers three waymarked hiking trails, an exceptional megalithic heritage (the 3.40 m Menhir Braz, alignments, dolmens), a family treetop adventure park and total immersion in the legendary world of Brittany: the enchanted realm of the Korrigans (protective magical creatures of Celtic folklore), a historical link to the Bluebeard legend through Count Conomor in the 6th century, enigmatic rock formations and dense undergrowth where filtered light creates a dreamlike atmosphere. 25 to 30 kilometres from Camping Les Druides (35 to 45 minutes by car), it is an authentic green escape, free to enter, combining mystery, prehistory and natural relaxation.

📌 About this natural area

Camping Les Druides recommends Camors Forest through its blog and its recommendation articles.

Please note: Camors Forest is a freely accessible state forest managed by the Office National des Forêts (ONF) and the municipality of Camors. Camping Les Druides:

• does not manage this site;

• does not organise guided outings;

• simply helps you discover this natural attraction.

We recommend this exceptional site as a highlight of your stay.

For practical information – trail conditions, waymarked routes, access – contact Camors town hall or the Quiberon Bay tourist office.

🌲 Camors Forest – natural features

Geography and woodland

A preserved forest massif in central Morbihan:

• Location: 20 km north of Auray, west of the Landes de Lanvaux

• Area: 650 hectares of state forest (also extending over the municipalities of Pluvigner and Baud)

• Management: Office National des Forêts (ONF); bought by Louis XVI in 1785 to supply the Lorient naval dockyards

• Trees: oak, sweet chestnut, beech (prized by clog-makers), Scots pine, maritime pine, fir and spruce

• Geology: granite plateau on the Lanvaux granite, with a gneissic structure

• Landscape: thick forest, dense undergrowth, small streams and granite gorges

• Access: safe waymarked trails, free access around the clock

The Korrigans' Valley – a living Celtic legend

The enchanted world of Breton folklore:

The Korrigans – mythical creatures of Brittany:

• Small magical beings of Breton Celtic tradition

• Fairy-like in appearance, underground guardians of the forest

• Masters of buried treasure and keepers of the megaliths

• Local legend has it that they still live in the valley

• Their presence is suggested by strange stones, ancient trees and mysterious gorges

A permanently magical atmosphere: the forest invites the imagination, especially in the Korrigans' Valley with its small granite gorges, enigmatic rock formations and dense undergrowth where a mysterious light filters through, creating a constant dreamlike mood.

The Bluebeard legend – a historical link

The historical figure who inspired the French fairy tale:

Camors Forest was once the domain of Count Conomor (Comorre or Konomor) in the 6th century, a ferocious Breton lord said to have inspired the legend of Bluebeard. Conomor, meaning "the great chief", ruled the Poher region from Carhaix with a bloody reputation, killing his successive wives.

Historical sources: Gregory of Tours (Ten Books of Histories) mentions his crimes. Conomor was killed in battle around 560 by Judual, son of the king of Iona, fulfilling an ancient prophecy.

Rumour has it that Camors Forest was the territory of this legendary lord, adding a further literary dimension that blends Celtic magic with French fairy tale.

🗿 An exceptional megalithic heritage – Breton Neolithic

The Menhir Braz – the "Star Menhir"

One of Brittany's major megalithic monuments:

Key facts:

• Height: 3.40 metres (leaning slightly to the north-east)

• Type: massive standing stone (menhir)

• Period: prehistoric Neolithic (about 4,500–4,000 years ago)

• Location: standing alone in the heart of the state forest (Étoile roundabout)

• Status: listed historic monument (22 August 1934)

• Access: a 1 h 30 to 2-hour walk from the Petit Bois car park

• Names: "Men Braz" (Breton for "Great Stone") or "Menhir de l'Étoile"

Legend: the Menhir Braz is said to have been placed alone in the forest by magical forces, which adds to its mystery and its remarkable isolation compared with other Breton megaliths.

The Menhir Bihan – the little brother

Keeping the Menhir Braz company:

• Height: about 1.70–1.90 metres

• Type: smaller menhir, the "little brother" of the Star Menhir

• Location: about 500 metres south-west of the Menhir Braz

• Status: listed historic monument

Other megaliths and prehistoric heritage

A varied prehistoric heritage:

• ✅ Cornevec alignment: 60 menhirs (most of them lying down) – a field of aligned stones

• ✅ Dolmens: megalithic tombs

• ✅ Gallery graves: collective ritual burials

• ✅ Collapsed dolmen: reached from the waymarked trail

• ✅ Enigmatic rock formations: granite gorges carved by erosion

These megaliths bear witness to ancient human occupation (Neolithic) and to the prehistoric ritual traditions of Brittany.

🎭 Local legends and a dreamlike atmosphere

Strange stones and magical trees

Natural formations with a magical interpretation:

• ✅ Strange stones: enigmatic rock formations in the gorges

• ✅ Magical trees: ancient trees with unusual shapes and ghostly silhouettes

• ✅ Granite gorges: small valleys carved by thousands of years of erosion

• ✅ Enigmatic formations: mysterious natural configurations that defy explanation

A permanently dreamlike setting

The forest deeply invites the imagination:

• Dense undergrowth: filtered light creates a constantly mysterious atmosphere

• Natural silence: few artificial sounds, a real communion with nature

• Natural sounds: babbling streams, wind in the trees, creaking branches

• Layered legends: Korrigans and Bluebeard together fire the collective imagination

🚴 Three waymarked hiking trails – all levels

The Water Trail – 11 kilometres

The watery forest and its secret places:

Key facts:

• Distance: 11 kilometres

• Duration: about 2 h 30 to 3 h 30

• Level: moderate

• Waymarking: yellow

• Mountain bike: possible

• Start: Le Petit Bois area

Themed route:

• ✅ Several ponds – small forest lakes in a poetic setting

• ✅ Streams and watercourses – the constant sound of running water

• ✅ Springs and water points – natural and picturesque

• ✅ Korrigans' Valley – the emblematic, mysterious passage

• ✅ Granite gorges – impressive geological formations

Theme: water everywhere in Camors Forest.

The Star Trail – 9 kilometres

Towards the magical megaliths and prehistory:

Key facts:

• Distance: 9 kilometres

• Duration: about 2 h 15 to 3 h

• Level: easy to moderate

• Waymarking: orange horseshoe and yellow

• Mountain bike: possible

• Start: treetop park car park, Le Petit Bois

Themed route:

• ✅ Megalithic alignments – fields of stones, traces of our ancestors

• ✅ Menhir Braz (3.40 m) – the climax of the trail, the major stone

• ✅ Menhir Bihan (1.70 m) – the little brother alongside

• ✅ Information panels – explaining the megaliths and prehistory

• ✅ Enchanting undergrowth – a mysterious, dreamlike atmosphere

Theme: the megaliths and the Neolithic connection.

The Tro-Bourk Trail

An additional loop, currently closed:

• Status: temporarily closed (crosses private plots)

• Reason: landowners' permission withdrawn

• To check: possible reopening, ask Camors town hall

🎢 More to do – for everyone

"X-Trèm Forest" treetop adventure park

Rope courses for all ages and levels:

• ✅ 11 treetop courses: from beginner to expert

• ✅ From age 2: suitable for families with young children

• ✅ Free fall: from 23 kg

• ✅ Climbing: for all ages

• ✅ Location: on the edge of the forest (Petit Bois car park)

• ✅ Combination: treetop park + hike = a full day in the forest

Outdoor fitness trail

Outdoor fitness and wellbeing:

• ✅ Exercise stations along the paths

• ✅ Free access all year round

• ✅ Open to all ages

• ✅ Sport and nature naturally combined

Fishing and horse riding

• ✅ Fishing: well-stocked ponds (pike, carp), permit from the town hall

• ✅ Horse riding: bridle paths for riders

🏛️ More heritage nearby

The last clog-maker in Morbihan

A preserved traditional Breton craft:

• Place: Le Sabot Camorien, at the foot of the forest

• Craft: hand-made wooden clogs (a centuries-old tradition)

• Rarity: the last clog-maker in Morbihan – a disappearing trade

• Visit: watch the craftsman at work (by appointment)

• Background: the beech trees of Camors Forest historically supplied the clog workshops

Lambel-Camors station – tourist train

Railway heritage and tourism:

• Location: Lambel-Camors (1898)

• Train: the Napoléon Express tourist train from Pontivy

• Guided walk: departs from the station (2 hours, moderate)

• When: Wednesdays in July and August (check the current calendar)

• Anecdote: at the Étoile roundabout, an oak planted in 1811 for the christening of Napoleon's son stood until it was felled in 1995

🏕️ From Camping Les Druides

Easy access to Camors Forest:

• ✅ Distance: 25–30 km (35–45 minutes by car)

• ✅ Easy route: via the D768 and Auray

• ✅ Free parking: next to the trails (Petit Bois car park)

• ✅ Heated pool: relax at the campsite after the hike

• ✅ Le Carpe Diem bar: the perfect post-excursion stop

The perfect day out: a morning hike in the forest (2–3 hours) → a picnic at Le Petit Bois → an afternoon in the treetops → relaxing in the campsite pool! 🌲

📋 Practical information – access and opening times

Access and parking

• 🚗 D768 road via Auray towards Camors

• 🚗 Petit Bois car park: the main entry point, free

• 🚗 Free: forest car parks are free to use

• 🚗 Signposting: clear road signs to Camors

Opening times and access

• ⏰ Forest: free access 24/7, all year round

• ⏰ Treetop park: 10 am–6 pm depending on the season (closed in winter)

• ⏰ Clog workshop: by appointment through the town hall

• ⏰ Tourist trains: Wednesdays in July and August (check current dates)

Facilities

• ✅ Public toilets: at Le Petit Bois

• ✅ Drinking water: fountains at the welcome points

• ✅ Restaurant/café: nearby in Camors village

• ✅ Small shops: in Camors village

Practical tips

• 👕 Clothing: waterproof and windproof jacket (the forest is exposed to the wind)

• 👕 Footwear: good grip essential (rocky, muddy ground)

• 👕 Insects: mosquito repellent (June to September)

• 👕 Season: April to October is ideal (autumn: mushroom picking)

• 👕 Safety: always stay on the waymarked trails

✨ In short

Camors Forest is much more than a simple walk: it is a dive into the Breton imagination, between ancient megaliths and authentic Celtic legends.

The magical Korrigans' Valley, the lonely 3.40 m Menhir Braz, mysterious ponds, varied waymarked trails, a family treetop park and the constant serenity of the forest make for a unique, restorative experience in southern Brittany.

An exceptional prehistoric heritage (Neolithic, 4,500 years old), the Bluebeard legend (Count Conomor, 6th century), dense undergrowth with filtered light, enigmatic granite gorges, a traditional clog workshop and a 650-hectare state forest: this place combines historical mystery, unspoilt nature and authentic relaxation.

From Camping Les Druides, 25–30 km away (35–45 minutes), discover this ONF-managed state forest where unspoilt nature and prehistoric heritage merge in an authentic, living, legendary atmosphere.

📞 Contacts and information

Camors Forest is a freely accessible state forest managed by the ONF and the municipality.

For information on trails, path conditions and access, contact the organisations below.

Camors town hall

Website: www.camors.fr
Telephone: +33 2 97 21 62 90
Services: information on trails, path conditions, the clog workshop and tourist trains

Quiberon Bay tourist office

Address: 14 rue de Verdun, 56170 Quiberon
Telephone: +33 2 97 50 07 84
Website: www.baiedequiberon.bzh
Services: hiking maps, forest events, detailed routes

Office National des Forêts (ONF)

Website: www.onf.fr
Services: management of Camors state forest, environmental information

X-Trèm Forest treetop park

Location: Petit Bois car park, Camors
Telephone: information from the Quiberon Bay tourist office
Season: 10 am–6 pm depending on the period

Le Sabot Camorien – traditional clog workshop

Visit: by appointment (contact the town hall)
Telephone: Camors town hall, +33 2 97 21 62 90

Camping Les Druides

Address: 55 Chemin de Beaumer, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com/en
Distance: 25–30 km from Camors Forest

Services: heated outdoor pool, Le Carpe Diem bar (from 6 pm, for guests), information at reception, hiking tips