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The name Huelgoat
comes from the Breton words Huel (High) and
Koat (Wood or forest) , meaning Highwoods or
Highforest. It first became important from a military
standpoint in ancient times when the Armoricans noticed its
excellent strategic position. The evidence we have of this
is the gallo-roman camp "Le camp d'Artus". Cesar's armies
occupied the camp after the Roman conquest.
Huelgoat is popular with tourists and
holidaymakers due to its impressive natural setting among
the reamains of the ancient forest that once covered
inland Brittany. Once part of royal and ducal lands, the
forest is now overseen by the French forestry commission,
the National Forests Office (ONF). It spans about 10
square kilometres. A large replanting scheme has
repaired much of the damage sustained by the forest in
storms on the 15th –16th October 1987, when over 3 square
kilometres of trees were levelled or damaged.
The village lies on a lake
created between the 16th and 18th centuries to supply water
to local silver-lead mines by means of a 3 km
(1.9 mile) leat or canal.
In this section you can
learn more about Huelgoat's history and learn about the rich
Breton culture.
You can also find
information about the local administration and what services
are available in and around the village.
Finally, there are some
useful links to other sites if you 're looking for more
information.
Enjoy! |
