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Vannes
and the coast
The pretty fishing port of Vannes (35 mins drive) is on the `Golfe
Du Morbihan,` which features in the book `The World`s Most Stunning Bays`.
The bay at Vannes is 15 miles square & littered with islands and white sandy
beaches (try a trip with Navix Tours and visit two islands & tour the
bay). The area is a protected bird haven-one of the biggest in France.
You can visit the exhibition centre there and even watch the birds from
the hides.
There are lots of good beaches nearby – Go to
Carnac. For more on the coast go back to the contents page and press
`beach`
To see Vannes the easy way then why not take the thirty
minute tour on the little train that leaves from the port every hour,
our kids loved it and we enjoyed it to. Alternatively, just take it easy
and sit outside at one of the waterfront cafes and watch it all pass
you by.
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Rochefort-en-Terre
The well known town of Rochefort-en-Terre (20 mins
drive) is a popular destination due to its attractive cobbled streets,
numerous quality restaurants and varied shops. It is described as a `Petite
Cite de Character` due to its fascinating 16th-18th century architecture
and the fact that it won the prize for the best kept town in France.
There`s a large fortified chateau, a traditional French museum and various
art exhibitions. Don't forget to visit the dinosaurs at the prehistoric
park near the town: Le Parc Prehistoire.
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Redon
Twenty minutes drive south is the large town of Redon -described as the `Cité d’ art
de Bretagne`. The town, which was founded in AD832, is situated at the confluence
of two major rivers. It recently won the National prize for flower decoration
so expect to see a hanging basket or two.
The town has a lot of ancient historic sites to see.
Visit the seventeenth century salt warehouses or stop by the Benedictine
abbey and listen to one of the unforgettable classical concerts that
they have there.
Redon's main shopping street is pedestrianised and
very pretty. There's also a huge hypermarket, so if you're after
a huge choice of stuff to buy, this may be the place to visit. Don’t
forget to go down to the river front for a coffee, or perhaps check out
the tapas bar by the canal. There`s also a couple of brocantes and second
hand shops on hand.
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Josselin
About thirty minutes drive away Josselin is well
worth the effort. This ancient town (founded in the 11th century) is
built along the banks of a river and is dominated by its huge turreted
castle. You can take a tour around it. Take a stroll around the towns
narrow medieval streets and admire the half timbered old houses dating
back to 1538. We definitely recommend lunch at one of the many restaurants
on the river bank. Sitting outside on a hot summers day with a cold drink
is a must.
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Lizio
A pretty town close-by with several places of interest
to see. There`s the metal working `poet` where
there`s loads of fun sculptures where the children
can press buttons and then watch them
doing all sorts of things. There`s the insectarium
full of creepy crawlies, a pottery, a museum devoted to `workers of the
past` and even `The House of the Clowns` where regular shows and workshops
for both adults and children. Should you be a beer drinker why not nip
into the Lancelot brewery on the outskirts of the town for a tour and
a taste.
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La
Roche Bernard
This really nice town is perched on a large rock
overlooking the river Vilaine. The town was founded a thousand years
ago by the Viking chief Bern Hart. Having sailed up the Vilaine and
spotted this huge rock, he then settled there due to its defensive
position. He carried out his fair share of pillage and then converted
to Christianity and built a large priory. The town became an extremely
important trading centre and boomed throughout the middle ages. Now
it has a tradition as a place of hospitality and gastronomy. We recommend
going down the river and sitting outside one of the waterfront bars
with a cold drink and perhaps a crepe or two whilst watching the sailing
boats rushing past.
A good option is to hop onto one of the
yellow river boats and go for a cruise. Most serve lunch or dinner on
board as well.
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Rennes
The ancient bustling city of Rennes located at the joining of the rivers Ille & Vilaine
is forty minutes drive. The city which was first settled in the 2nd century
AD, is steeped in history and is the `county town` of Brittany boasting the
regions parliament buildings. The city is quite large (but you can walk around
it in half a day) and has all the diverse attractions one would expect, including
parks, a zoo and various museums.
The heart of the town is hundreds of years old and pedestranised.
The network of old winding lanes opens into breathtaking expansive cobbled
squares filled with statues and fountains. Frequently, fetes, markets
and bazaars occupy the squares and for nine days in July a major festival
takes over the whole city filling the streets with dozens of performing
artists.
The shopping quarter is split into two areas, one where
the small specialist shops are gathered and another where the big department
stores can be found (e.g Gallery Lafayette)
The restaurants are located around a few central squares
where you can sit outside to eat or drink and watch the world go by.
There’s a huge selection of food available depending on taste and
budget.
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Pontivy
Pontivy is an attractive bustling riverside town with a good selection of traditional
shops and restaurants, a chateau, two large supermarkets, a hospital, and
indoor and outdoor swimming pools; market day is Monday
St Nicholas des Eaux
This beauty spot is situated on the River Blavet and offers a
range of activities including a river cruise, pedallos, and canoes to
hire, fishing, cycling and riverside walks along the scenic towpath.
There are a couple of restaurants, bars and an excellent créperie,
all overlooking the river
Auray
Designated a town of 'art and history' Auray is a busy market
town and tourist centre with many art and antique galleries. There`s
a large selection of shops to check out (all small, and interesting)
. Go down to Port Goustan where there is a picturesque harbour that looks
like its straight out of a film set. Flower decked timbered houses and
inns surround the quay side, its a great place to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Don`t forget to have lunch on the quay side in one of the many great
bistros.
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Lorient
Further along the coast is the large city of
Lorient set on the banks of the rivers Scorff and Blavet. Lorient is
a major port both past and present, and home to the French navy’s
submarine base. In August the “Inter-Celtic Music Festival” is
held, which is the biggest in Brittany with musicians from all the
Celtic countries. Just to the west is Guidel-plage another lovely sandy
beach with restaurants close-by.
Quimper
Quimper lies a few miles inland from the sea at
the confluence of the rivers Steir, Jed and Odet, and is a good town
to visit. The medieval centre is in rue Kereon (Shoemakers Street )
which leads off from the main square beside St. Corentins cathedral.
On this same street you will find an excellent tea shop La Macaronerie
Rolland-Padou – wonderful macaroons, plus chocolates, cakes and
tea! Quimper art gallery is worth a visit with work covering 16th to
20th century.
There`s a organic market every Friday afternoon 3pm – 7.30pm
in the Kerfeunten car park.
St Malo
Take a trip up to St Malo and visit the ancient walled city.
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There are, of course, numerous other towns and
places to visit close by. For example: At Carrentoir, barely ten minutes
drive away, there`s a large lake with a beach where you can hire pedallos
by the hour, also there's an assault course for the children. In addition,
there's an excellent large adventure park where you can buy a days family
pass.
Need to collect your E-Mails? Go to Ploermel (15 mins drive) to the
Multimedia Centre and use the net for about 3 € per hour.
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