This charming Breton village is known for its thrilling rallycross events

In the green countryside of Ille-et-Vilaine, 40km southwest of Rennes, Lohéac is home to 650 villagers and a history dating back to the 11th Century. 

It also happens to be home to a unique museum that is dedicated to the history of the automobile.

Manoir de l’Automobile

This modest village has one of the finest car museums in the country, covering 15,000 m² of exhibition space and over 400 vehicles, from the 1899 De Dion Bouton to 1920s Citroëns, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and modern F1 racecars. 

Open all year round, it is a fascinating place to visit, even if you are not a petrol-head, as it explores this everyday transport in all its forms. There are model vehicles as well as full-size motors, and there is even a little café where you can enjoy cider and crêpes for the full Breton experience. 

Races and rallycross

While the village itself enjoys a slow pace of life, Lohéac has become inextricably linked to motor sports, and its race-track experiences attract thousands of fans throughout the year. Former racing driver Michel Hommell moved here after falling in love with a picturesque manor house. 

He had also fallen in love with the British Rallycross races that combine dirt and asphalt, and dreamed up a plan to hold one in his home village. 

The very first French Rallycross event was therefore held in a Lohéac field in 1976: 1,000 visitors were expected, but the real total was 10,000! 

Lohéac Rallycross became part of the European then world championship and is held every year in late August or early September, drawing as many as 72,000 spectators over two days.

A historic village

Aside from the motorsport connections, Lohéac is quite simply a pleasant village to stroll around. Its main street is lined with stone buildings including the village hub Café du Village, ideal for enjoying a drink and a spot of people-watching.

One of Lohéac’s key sites is Saint-André church, which dates from 1890 and was designed by French architect Arthur Régnault, who had ambitious plans for pyramid-shaped vaults in an oriental style. 

The build took less than 18 months and the day of its inauguration was cause for great celebration, with villagers turning out in their Sunday best. However, the construction was poorly executed and within a year the walls were starting to spread under the pressure of the vaults, creating cracks and leaks, so Régnault had to carry out urgent work to remedy the situation.

Also in the heart of the village, the 17th Century Manoir de la Barre has an unusual detail of an ox-eye sculpture that adorns the chimney breast; it is an eye-catching feature yet no one can explain why it is there. In rue de la Poste you will also see a manor house that has a Renaissance-style door whose pediment dates it from 1559. 

As you explore the village, you’ll find more stone-built manor houses and Le puits de Rublard. Legend has it that this particular well never runs dry, even during severe droughts.

Walking and cycling

Talking of water, there’s a walking circuit around the village that includes various panels explaining the importance of water here and elsewhere. Start at the Place de la mairie, follow the signposts and you’ll be led around Lohéac’s key sites on a 45-minute circuit.

If you have your bike and plenty of energy, try the Lohéac-Lieuron circuit, a trail of 33km that leads you through villages, woodland and riversides, where your pedalling will be rewarded with several wonderful views.

Whenever you choose to visit Lohéac, you are sure to enjoy its historic buildings, Breton charm and surprising motor-racing connections.

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