How a Philosopher Turned a French Hillside Into Easter Island in the Heart of France (46 Photos)
In the heart of Brittany, an ambitious project has taken shape on a desolate hillside, set to captivate even the most seasoned traveler. Here stands an army of giant granite statues, carved to immortalize the saints of this rugged region. 
How many saints are there? Thousands. More than 7,000 saints are venerated across Brittany, though only a fraction have received official recognition from the Roman Catholic Church. Some left an indelible mark on the region, while others spent less than a month here, merely passing through. 
The site is known as the Valley of the Saints, despite actually being a hilltop. In 2008, philosopher Philippe Abjean envisioned covering the slope with 1,000 statues of Breton saints, drawing inspiration from Easter Island's Moai and Egypt's Valley of the Kings. The project aims to celebrate Brittany's Celtic heritage while highlighting the role of granite in the local landscape and economy. 
With each passing year, the granite army continues to grow. By early 2026, more than 200 statues stood on the hill, with new ones added annually. Standing around four meters tall on average, every monument is unique, crafted by a diverse array of sculptors. 
The rules are simple: each statue must depict a saint who lived in Brittany between the 3rd and 10th centuries. Anyone can sponsor a saint, selecting both the figure and their placement on the hill. Sponsoring a sculpture costs between €12,000 and €15,000. 
Yet there is a touch of irony: despite the project’s goal to showcase local granite, most of the statues have actually been carved from stone imported from China. 
Visiting the Valley of the Saints remains free of charge. Guided tours run from March to October, and during the summer months, visitors can watch artists at work. Several open-air sculpting sessions are scheduled for 2026, giving the public a front-row seat to the creation of new statues. 
