Au Char à Bancs

Founded in 1971, Le Char à bancs has become a local institution in Plélo and the surrounding area. It’s the kind of place that embodies a strong, reassuring, and timeless landmark. For half a century, people have been coming here as couples, families, and groups of friends. A birthday, a graduation, a holiday, a promotion, or the return of sunny days—any occasion is a good excuse to go there and share a delicious, convivial meal. That day during lunchtime, the record for the largest table was 16 guests, a family reunion whose members, scattered throughout Brittany, had decided to gather at Le Char à bancs. A landmark, you’ve been told. Nestled in a lush valley, Le Char à bancs is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. If the former flour mill exudes such a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s because it still a family business. Following in their parents’ footsteps—pioneers of rural tourism—Jeanne-Noëlle, Céline, and Louise are now at the helm. Their brother Corentin, meanwhile, isn’t far away and takes care of the family farm and its herd of Limousin cattle. At Le Char à bancs, people come to enjoy its crêpes and galettes, and on weekends, its potée—the dish that has made the establishment famous. Simmered in the massive fireplace of the main dining room, you dive into this steaming mountain of meat and vegetables just as you would snuggle under a thick, fluffy duvet. From the terrace, the view of the garden and vegetable patch is breathtaking, since, as a farm-inn, Le Char à bancs also grows most of the food served on its plates.