Finding the way

The original route or routes used by medieval pilgrims following the Tro Breiz are not known in any great detail, but some parts can be pieced together through research. There is evidence that the old Roman roads, still major highways in later periods, formed important links: for example, a pilgrim from Morlaix took the 'Roman road nearest the shore' on his way to Dol. Another Roman road connecting Vannes and Quimper must also have been part of the chain.
There are many place-names containing references to pilgrims (although these may just as likely refer to those on the Compostella trail), such as Le Champ du Pèlerins and La Fontaine-aux-Pèlerins. Some see an allusion to the 'Green route of Hope'(of salvation, by completing this journey) in names like Le Chemin-Vert and Les-Croix-Vertes. The investigation of toponyms continues!
Another approach involves looking at where pilgrims would have stayed along their route. Abbeys and establishments of the Knights of St-John, such as that at La Feuillée, made natural stopping-places for pilgrims anxious about security. And certain chapels and fontaines along routes between the great cathedrals are known to have been focal points for spiritual travellers on the Tro Breiz: for example, La Trinité (photo above) near Melgven.
In our project we are not necessarily trying to follow the old routes as closely as possible, but to combine good walking with attention to significant religious sites between each cathedral town.