Located in a small valley, on the shore of a beautiful 4km-long lake, Jugon-les-Lacs is like an oasis in the middle of an ocean of greenery.
Its architectural heritage, granite mansions and central square, testify to the proud history of Jugon, which used to be a fortified town in the Penthièvre (area around Lamballe) at the time of the Dukes of Brittany.
Don’t be mistaken by the apparent calm of this town; Jugon held a strategic role in the History of Brittany.

Practical information:

GUIDED TOURS

To learn more about the History of Jugon-les-Lacs, join us for the guided tours organised in July and August, every Tuesday at 11.00 am (IN FRENCH ONLY)
The rest of the year, guided tours can be organised for groups (please pre-book)

Price for (private) individuals :
Adults: 2,50 €
Children: 1,70 €

Price for groups :
2,00 € per person (free for the courier + 1 free ticket for 14 paid)




MARKET DAY :
Friday morning, all year, on the “Place du Martray”

PARKING & SERVICE AREA FOR CAMPING-CARS
- Service area on the car-park of the campsite « Au Bocage du Lac »
- Possibility of supervised overnight parking (paying) on the car-park of the Campsite “Au Bocage du Lac”
- Parking area on the ‘rustic’ campsite in Plédéliac.


A HISTORY MARKED BY THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER

Birth of the town

The whole history of Jugon has been determined by the importance of water. It used to be a fundamental means of defence, but today it is the heart of tourism and leisure activities. One of the town’s streams, formerly called the “Jugon”, gave its name to the town.

The origin of Jugon is linked to its castle, which was built by Eudon (11th century, about 1034), first Count of the Penthièvre (area of Lamballe). Located on a rocky outcrop between two rivers, it was annexed by the Lords of Dinan in the 12th century.
At this time, Olivier de Dinan made a gift of part of its lands to the Abbey of Mamoutier (near Tours), so that the monks could found a priory.
It was named “Prieuré Bénédictin Saint Etienne”. Gradually, the village expanded between the castle and the priory.

From the 13th century onwards, the domain felt into the hands of Pierre de Dreux’s hands (also called Pierre Mauclerc), Duke of Brittany and an adventurous warrior, who rebuilt the castle. He made two dams built about 1230 on both rivers that cross Jugon: the Rosette (former River Jugon) and the Arguenon. The aim was to supply water for two stretches of water which were intended to protect the castle, which, at this time, represented a clever mechanism of defence. The castle then became a strategic fortress of the dukedom and was attacked many times during conflicts.

From this time, the inhabitants of Jugon have always known how to control the numerous streams of the valley, in order to create the prototype of a town fortified by water.

During the long war for the inheritance of Brittany (war declared in 1341, between partisans of the French King and thoses of the English King), the castle was attacked many times before being captured by the Duke of Brittany.

In 1373, Bertrand Duguesclin rescued the Castle from the hands of the Duke of Brittany Jean De Montfort, by order of the King Charles V, because Jean de Monfort was supporting the English. Duguesclin used a famous saying on this occasion: “Qui a Bretagne sans Jugon a chape sans chaperon." Brittany without Jugon is like a hooded cloak without its hood. Its means that Jugon used to be one of the strategic places in Brittany, that had to be protected. Nowadays, this saying is still the motto of Jugon, and appears on the town’s coat of arms.

After being destroyed for a first time in the 15th century, by order of Duke Jean V, the defences of the castle were destroyed after the wars of religion (called “Guerres de la Ligue”) which lasted 10 years at the end of the 16th century. In 1616, the castle was destroyed for good by order of the Governor of Brittany, Richelieu. Nowadays, there remains no sign of the edifice, except for the name of the street which leads to its former site.

After the disappearance of the castle, the village became a buoyant administrative and commercial place; the architecture was progressively moving from the military style of the castle to a more sophisticated architecture (such as that of the Hôtel Sevoy).

In 1973, the communes of Jugon, Lescouët-Jugon and Saint Igneuc merged to form the commune of Jugon-les-Lacs. This commune spreads over 2615 hectares and its population amounts approximately to 1.300 inhabitants.

It is this rich past that makes Jugon-les-Lacs today a major holiday destination in central Brittany, combining water sports, nature activities and cultural heritage. Through these, and as a meeting point for anglers and ramblers, Jugon is progressively recovering its former influence.

Jugon and water

Crossed by two rivers: the River Rosette (formerly the Jugon) which supplied Jugon Lake ; and by two branches of the River Arguenon, the town of Jugon has always felt the influence of the power of water.
For this reason several mills were built on these rivers (for milling wheat, but also to tan hides and turn them into leather). In addition, fisheries were also developed.
The need for water brought the inhabitants into establishing several wool-dyeing concerns. The breeding of sheep was indeed important in the region.
Even today, many communal washing places remain alongside the streams in the town.

Birth of the town

Jugon and water