Meneham, a nugget worth discovering
It's a little nugget between Roscoff and Les Abers! Meneham is a natural, cultural and historical site well worth a visit. For its village of thatched cottages, but also for the beach and its rocks with strange silhouettes, its natural site, its craftsmen and its entertainment... Meneham is a place full of surprises, with a fascinating history and many legends. Put down your car, forget time and let yourself be carried away by the magic of the place!
Meneham is a contraction of Menez + Ham and means "the hamlet on the hill" in Breton.
A little history...
The origins of Meneham...
No less than 300 years of history... Meneham is an old lady who has retained all her charm. And she has many secrets to share with you! The first dwelling to be built in Meneham was this house, strangely wedged between two rocks. Its location is no coincidence! It was built on the orders of the Duc d'Aiguillon to keep an eye out for the enemy, and then for contraband. Strategically positioned 21 meters above the sea, with an unobstructed view from the Pontusval lighthouse to the Île Vierge lighthouse, you can see without being seen...
From 1840 onwards, more houses were built to accommodate customs officers and their families. The customs officers were gradually replaced by peasant-fishermen-goémoniers - yes, all at the same time! At the time, fishing, collecting, drying and reselling seaweed in the form of soda loaves was a common way for farmers to make ends meet!
Then, Meneham gradually emptied out... The desire for more modern living conditions, the desire to be closer to shops and amenities, and the classification of the site in 1975 led the inhabitants to gradually desert the village... Unless they were driven away by some strange phenomenon? Who knows!
To discover the daily lives of Meneham's successive inhabitants, open the doors of the site's museums... A fascinating adventure into the heart of history!
The legends of Meneham
You may not know it, but Pays Pagan is home to many myths... and it's not for nothing that the region is called the Côte des Légendes (Coast of Legends)! Take time to observe the rocks along the coast. Chimeras or bizarrely shaped animals... We're talking granite chaos here, a geological curiosity typical of the region. But what if they really are petrified creatures?...
The shipwreckers
The main legend haunting Meneham is that of the shipwreckers. It is said that the paganiz (inhabitants of Pagan country) caused shipwrecks on this rugged coastline in order to plunder the victims washed up on the beach and the wrecks of boats. An unfounded legend, of course, but one that is still very much alive in the region!
Let Meneham tell your story! Trace the history of the site and its legends thanks to Tourisme Côte des Légendes' guided tours... and why not discover it "by night" with a lantern?
An uninhabited village, but more alive than ever
Although the village of Meneham has been emptied of its last inhabitant since 2001, it remains a place of life, sharing and festivities, thanks to the associations and craftsmen who continue to keep its soul alive. Come and stroll through their workshops all year round and discover their unique skills: leatherwork, woodwork, ceramics, nature photography...
Want to spend the night in Meneham? The gîte d'étape welcomes you for a night in the heart of the village.
The must: sleep in an enclosed bed, just like in the old days: a unique experience!
Take a break
Now's your chance to try Kig Ha Farz, a Breton pot au feu typical of the Pays du Léon region. To do so, head to the Bistrot des Légendes!
It also offers sweet and savoury crêpes to suit all tastes, and serves hot or refreshing drinks (depending on your mood) all day long!
Year-round highlights on the Meneham site
In summer, Meneham lives to the rhythm of theatrical performances of the Ar vro Bagan troupe on the legend of the shipwreckers, evening sound and light shows and festoù-deiz on Sundays. But come the off-season, you'll witness a strange phenomenon: the village takes on orange hues and is overrun with gourds of all shapes and sizes!
And at ChristmasMeneham lights up with the scent of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, winter evenings and pretty gifts in the artisan boutiques. It's a cosy, family atmosphere that's sure to win you over!
Around the village, the beaches and the natural site
Don't come to Meneham without your swimsuit! Behind the houses nestling between the rocks lie magnificent white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. You'll be irresistibly tempted to take a dip! The calm waters make for a dream setting, with a touch of the Caribbean (minus the temperature, mind you!).
And then there are the mysterious rock silhouettes that give the place its very soul. Here, a hybrid animal, there a frog-fish, or a sea monster sticking its head out of the water... The shapes they evoke will be limited only by your imagination! Did you know that these granite rocks are the result of a phenomenon that occurred over 400 million years ago?
The 20 hectares ofnatural area around the hamlet are protected. The dune and meadows are a prime habitat for local flora and fauna. local flora and fauna. Take the time to observe them without disturbing them! And why not continue your discovery of the Côte des Légendes by taking the GR®34 for a day hike?
Our advice:
Come early in the morning and be one of the first visitors. Silence, or almost silence: just the sound of the sea and nature awakening with the first rays of sunshine.
It's magical!
Climbing Meneham
Don't leave just yet, Meneham has one more surprise for you! Did you know that Meneham is the second-largest bouldering spot in France? Its mythical boulders offer a multitude of holds of varying difficulty, accessible to all levels. It's a great way to let off steam while enjoying an exceptional natural environment and breathtaking views!
Looking for a unique experience? Come and climb at dusk! The beauty of the landscape at sunset, under a sky of fire, is simply magical!