Brocéliande - Merlin's Enchanted Forest

From Chrétien de Troyes' Le Chevalier au lion in 1179, to 12th century's Jaufré, to Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King, the mythical forest of Brocéliande is the stuff of legend. 

Many people believe that the forest of Paimpont in Brittany is Brocéliande. It is here where Merlin fell in love with the Fairy Viviane (the Lady of the Lake who raised Sir Lancelot) at the fountain of Barenton. After Merlin fell in love with her, Viviane absorbed his magical powers and entombed him forever in these woods.

The mythical forest of Brocéliande was the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth realm, Beleriand.

The forest is filled with ancient funeral mounds dating back to the Bronze Age. There are many lakes, rivers and fountains which the Celts, who inhabited Brittany, believed had supernatural powers. Brocéliande is believed to be the doorway to another world. Druids have worshipped here for many, many centuries and still do. 

As I walked through the forest, I clearly felt a clearly defined energy; it was stimulating, exciting and simultaneously peaceful. My son was desperate to get off the beaten paths, to climb the rocky mounds and see parts of the forest that other visitors never get to. He dragged me to the top of this rocky perch.

Here we were well above the tree tops and I must say, it was breathtaking. While he climbed around some more, I had a nice quiet meditation and have never felt so rejuvenated, so fresh with energy. Thank you for dragging your mother up those rocks!!

Don't get lost in the Valley of no return Val sans Retour and, please, if you discover the secret of life in the Miroir-aux Fées (Fairy's Mirror), do share. 

As we drove out of the forest and headed towards the Chateau de Champtocé, where the evil Gilles de Rais lived in 1404, I couldn't help but feel that the entire area had a mystic feel to it. The trees are bent in odd shapes almost as though they are inhabited by spirits of the past. A cluster of haunted, spiritual and esoteric places exist in this part of France and, when you are there in person, it is easy to understand why. 

Gros bisous de magique et a demain!

Love, Charley