Aleth, Archaeological settlement on Brittany coast, France
Aleth is an archaeological site on a promontory at the mouth of the Rance river in Brittany, displaying ancient stone fortifications and Roman walls. The ruins of this former settlement spread across the grounds and reveal the layout of an ancient port town.
The settlement was founded around 80 BC and served as the capital of the Celtic Coriosolites people. It later developed into a strategic Gallo-Roman town with important port facilities.
The remains of the cathedral here show a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles, reflecting the religious importance this place held for centuries.
The site is located in Saint-Servan, now part of the modern town of Saint-Malo, and is easily accessible from there. The ruins can be explored on foot, though comfortable shoes are helpful as the grounds are uneven and sometimes overgrown.
The name comes from the Celtic word Al-etum, referring to the rocky elevation that provided natural defensive advantages. This geographical position was crucial to the site's founding and its lasting success as a trading port.
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