Au Bocage du Lacs: Where the Lake View Comes with a Side of Rave
Welcome to Jugon-les-Lacs, the charming commune in Brittany that whispers medieval secrets and shouts “SURPRISE!” when you book a lakeside stay. Nestled in the Côtes-d’Armor department, Jugon-les-Lacs is known for its serene waters, quaint stone houses, and a history that stretches back to the Gallo-Roman era. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, let me tell you about our stay at Au Bocage du Lacs — a trip that promised tranquility and delivered… a techno festival.
The Lake View That Wasn’t
We arrived with visions of sipping wine while gazing across the peaceful lake, perhaps composing poetry or finally finishing that novel. Instead, we were ushered to a corner of the campground that could best be described as “post-apocalyptic youth summit.” Picture this: fourteen local twenty-somethings, six cars, eight tents (covering three pitches), two marquees, and enough floodlights to land a Boeing 747. Maintenance work was in full swing, which added a delightful industrial soundtrack to our evenings.
By 4 a.m., the party was still raging. We woke not to birdsong, but to the clinking of empty beer bottles forming a small mountain outside our campervan. It was less “rustic retreat” and more “Coachella: The Hangover Edition.”
The Walk of Temptation
Determined to salvage the serenity we’d been promised, we embarked on a five-kilometre walk around the lake. The scenery was stunning—lush greenery, shimmering water, and the occasional duck judging us silently. But fate, cruel mistress that she is, placed a patisserie directly in our path.
“Oh dear,” we said, as if we were helpless victims of pastry warfare. One éclair led to another, and soon we were deep into a mille-feuille spiral. The walk became less about nature and more about negotiating with our stomachs. The lake may have been the destination, but the real pilgrimage was to the altar of butter and sugar.
A Brief History of Jugon-les-Lacs (Because We’re Classy Like That)
Jugon-les-Lacs isn’t just a place to accidentally attend a rave—it’s a town steeped in history. Founded centuries ago, it was once a strategic stronghold under the Duke of Brittany, who ordered the creation of lakes and ponds from the Jugon and Arguenon rivers to bolster defenses. The medieval streets still whisper tales of châtelaines and revolutionaries, and the town’s coat of arms proudly reminds you that you’re walking through a place that survived the Ancien Régime, the Revolution, and—most impressively—our camping trip.
In 2016, Jugon-les-Lacs merged with Dolo to become a “commune nouvelle,” which sounds fancy and very French. Today, it’s home to around 2,500 people, most of whom probably sleep through the night without floodlights in their eyes.
Final Thoughts (and Mild Trauma)
Would we recommend Au Bocage du Lacs? If you’re into spontaneous raves, floodlit insomnia, and waking up next to a recycling nightmare—absolutely. If you’re after peace, quiet, and a lake view that doesn’t involve dodging beer bottles, maybe pack earplugs and a sense of humor.
Jugon-les-Lacs, though, is undeniably worth the visit. It’s a place where history meets hilarity, and where even the most chaotic camping experience can be redeemed by a good pastry and a scenic stroll.
So next time you book a lakeside getaway, just remember: the lake might be calm, but the campsite? …lets just say, some things you hear at 4 a.m. never quite leave you.
