The «Valley of the Saints» is first of all an idea with religious, artistic and cultural dimensions which matured for a long time before today becoming an association, then a site visited by thousands of tourists.
The initiator of this association is none other than Philippe Abjean. A professor of philosophy, fervent Catholic and admirer of simple art, thus succeeded in transforming this idea which was so dear to his heart into a cultural and tourist site known today throughout France, and even the whole world.
According to this activist, the idea began to germinate since we celebrated the 1500th anniversary of Saint-Pol-de-Léon in 1990, so he decided to propose it, shortly after, to a bank employee, Sébastien Minguy and to the Breton lawyer. Philippe Hajas.
The latter immediately subscribed to the idea and began, with Philippe Abjean, to the implementation of the project, that is to say to meet all the conditions to launch this association that they called “Association of the Valley of the Saints ”.
The project thus saw the light of day in July 2008. Among other objectives, it set itself the sculpture and the installation of a large number of statues in memory of famous Saints who once came to Brittany to preach the Christian religion.
According to historians, there were about fifty monks who left Ireland, Wales and England to settle in this French region and spread the word of God. Every year, their memory is honored by new creations. (statues) made by different sculptors.
It should be noted that at the start of the project, several municipalities offered to host this historic site but, after much consideration, the choice was made on Carnoët. This decision was announced on September 18, 2009 by Philippe Abjean who felt that this locality was the ideal place to host the site because, in addition to the austerity and the simplicity of its places, Carnoët is located in the center of the Breton region.
In addition, the «Vallée des Saints» association could, with this choice, operate the Quénéquillecmitoyenne farm on the site, under a rental deed for a period of 49 years signed jointly with the municipal officials of the locality.
The farm spreads over 35 hectares of land located on a site steeped in history. It is the perfect place for the establishment of this «Valley of the Saints» especially as the places are of great Catholic symbolism telling of founding myths and legends on the exploits of these
historical figures. It is also the cradle of huge and magnificent sculptures lined up near a chapel dating from the 16th century.
Construction work began in July 2009 with the installation of large granite statues 3 to 4 meters high bearing the effigy of the seven founding saints of Brittany: Pol Aurélien, Tugdual de Tréguier, Brieuc, Samson de Dol , Malo, Patern de Vannes and Corentin de Quimper.This first erection offers a magnificent panoramic view of the hill of Poher.
The project begins to take shape and attracts more and more tourists who flock from all sides to admire this fabulous site. The association did not stop there. It launched other work, especially after the site was inaugurated on May 19, 2012. Thus 50 sculptures were created in 2014, 57 statues in 2015, 80 in 2016 and 90 others in August 2017.
As for the statue of Saint Piran, brought directly by boat from English Cornwall, it was put in place in July 2018.
But all these statues are not the only ones to amaze the visitor, since they can also admire on the spot this beautiful fountain whose waters would have, it is believed, a power to cure animals. The landscape that it is offered, could not be better splendid especially as its water flows under a chapel and crosses the site in the middle of the saints stone.
There is also a majestic hill formed by considerable earthworks and ditches, overlooking the entire valley. This shows that this place was once a strategic point of observation and defense. Especially from these heights, the view embraces a vast horizon where Monts d’Arrée rise and where the beautiful forest of Fréau extends.
All these natural attractions have also contributed to making the site a destination for many vacationers and tourists.
More than 40,000 people visited «the Valley of the Saints» in the first year of its inauguration. The number then rose to 100,000 in 2014, 230,000 in 2016 and 336,900 visitors in 2017.
This is to say the success of the project which, in addition to the historical and artistic aspect, has helped restore economic activity to central Brittany.
