Brittany's jagged and deeply indented coastline, the Armor, is over 750 miles long. There are important naval bases at Brest and Lorient. Fishing ports range from Concarneau and Lorient. two of the most important in France, to numerous small harbours with fleets of little boats. Many Bretons work on large modern trawlers or tunny boats, while others are involved in inshore fishing, bringing in among other things the delicious lobsters, scallops, crabs and other shellfish for which Brittany is well known.
Perhaps the most important influence that the Argoat and Armor have had recently on the lives of the Bretons is the prosperity brought by tourism – any number of small towns and villages have been tidied up and made more attractive with municipal displays of flowers, paved areas for pedestrians, neat traffic-calming schemes, cleaner public buildings and tasteful painting schemes. Even the large roundabouts are individually designed to look attractive with designs in stone and the abundant use of flowers. Indeed, there are flowers everywhere in Brittany – the Hortensia (Hydrangea), the Geranium in all its vivid colours and Petunias in abundance.
Visitors from all over Europe are attracted by Brittany's many miles of smooth golden sand, its dramatic cliff scenery, its ancient forests, pretty towns and villages, its history, its culture, the friendliness of the Breton people – and the ease of driving on the many beautiful and often little used roads. There is a timeless charm that this ancient province offers to all its visitors.
The climate is also a major factor - alone of the Départements of Brittany, Morbihan enjoys a truly mild and gentle climate, thanks to the effects of Gulf Stream. There is less rain in Morbihan over the year than there is in Provence!
Our interactive Google Map identfies the locations of many of the places to visit. Click the 'View Map' link to explore further.
If we have further photos of the area described, you can click the picture to view them on our Flickr website.
Arradon - A small coastal town at the edge of the Gulf of Morbihan, just a short drive from Vannes. There is a busy water sports centre and beach side cafe. There is a small area of sand, but the beach is mostly pebble, but great for the kids exploring rock-pools. Park in the free designated car park on the beach road as there is little parking once at the coast (5 mins walk). If you walk along the beach you will find an extensive oyster farming area, andwe spent some time watchingthe specialised flat bottomed boat and workers harvesting the oysters which grow to maturity in the hessian sacks. There are some great views out into the Islands of the Gulf of Morbihan, the photo here shows the Ile d'Arz.
Distance30 miles/42 mins. Pop. 5,825
Auray - is built on the steep-sided estuary of the Loch, which at this point is called the River Auray. Auray's old town is intact and its little harbour is miraculously preserved. Have lunch at the lovely little port of St. Goustan a real smugglers cove. Auray town centre is also interesting for its historic and religious associations. Use the little train between the town and harbour if you don't like steep walking. It is a busy and sizable town with its main activities including tourism and oyster farming. Of more general interest is the vast war memorial, which is dedicated to the 250,000 Bretons who perished in the Great War. Walls inscribed with their names stretch for over 650 feet. You will find a schooner museum, the Goelette-museum, at the port. An old tuna fishing boat has been converted to tell the story of the sailors and seafairing in the area.
Distance35 miles/44 mins. Pop. 11,300
Belle-Ile-means the Beautiful Island (10 miles long and up to 6 miles wide). The largest of the Breton islands, it was a favourite haunt for Saxon pirates and Norman invaders until given to the abbey of Redon in 1006. Even the shutters on the houses, which under local bye-laws have to be painted in pastel colours, add to the picturesque effect. The green, undulating countryside and vast beaches make it an ideal day trip from Quiberon. Bicycles and scooters can be hired if you prefer to leave the car on the mainland. Boats arrive at Le Palais which has an impressive citadel, improved by Vauban, but which was nevertheless occupied by the English until 1761. Now in private ownership, it has been faithfully restored. In summer the population can swell to over 35,000, but rarely feels crowded.
Distanceto Port52 miles/1:13 mins. Pop. 5,200
BlavetValley-The scenic windingvalley of the Blavet extends from Lac de Guerledan, 17km north of Pontivy, to meet the sea at Lorient. You can follow its route by bicycle, canoe or on foot. The little riverside hamlet of St Nicolas-des-Eaux has all the things you could want for a relaxing afternoon. A collection of shops, restaurants and bars, with plenty of picnic tables beside the river Blavet where you can spend many an hour watching the boats go through the locks. Discover the picturesque Blavet Valley by boat. Starting from St Nicholas des Eaux there are 4 boats which will take you down the Blavet on a cruise lasting 1h30 with full commentary. A buffet is available on board the boats. Two km south of Quistinc is the 'living museum' of Poul Fetan - a pretty village of thatched cottages complete with a working pottery, that preserves the traditional crafts and farming practices of 19th century rural Brittany. For centuries the village of Poul-Fetan was home to 4 or 5 families, and was inhabited until 1970. It was acquired by the Quistinic Community in 1977 and restored. There are a variety of daily demonstrations which include wool spinning, crepe making, Breton games, washerwomen, head-dress starching and hand milking the cows. We would suggest allowing about 4 hours for a leisurely tour of the village and watching most of the demonstrations. There is even an Inn where you will be able to sample food and drink of the era.
You can combine visits to St Nicolas, with perhaps a picnic lunch,and Poul Fetan in the afternoon to make for a good day out. You can see our photos of the area here: St Nicolas, Poul Fetan.
Also known as the Forêt de Paimpont, this area is traditionally linked with King Arthur and the sword of Excalibur. Those that come in search of sights of Arthurian legend are likely to be disapointed! But the area does have a certain mysterious quality, so all that its required is to add imagination. There are plenty of footpaths and trails if you wish to explore Brocéliande. You can pick up a free walking/cycling map of the forest from the tourist office at Paimpont (62km of trails). Alternatively you can buy the more complete Tour de Broceliande which has details of over 150km of trails. In July and August there are guided tours of the lower and upper forests. DistancetoPaimpont 26 miles/33 mins.
Carnac Beach - The five Carnac beaches stretch over 3 to 4 km (2.5 miles). Golden sands and plenty of space, even when it gets busy in late afternoon. Lovely lively café area and shops. Small amusement area and shows for children. Beach club in season. Check out La Men Dur on the route from La Trinite for a subdued day before visiting Carnac Plage.
There is a coastal path and the coastline alternates between capes and sandy coves, much favoured by family holidaymakers. Surfboading is an all-season sport here. Carnac can get very busy during the peak holiday months of July & August. Recommended by France magazine as one of the 20 best beaches in France (May 2006).
Carnac - is perhaps most famous for it's world famous prehistoric site. Here you will find 3,000 standing stones which form the most extraordinary group of menhirs in the world.
The oldest stones date from the Neolithic period and the most recent from the Bronze Age. There is a Musee de Prehistoire where you will find information on: menhirs - standing stones cromlechs - menhirs in a standing circle dolmens - tombs consisting of two upright stones roofed by a third cairns - galleried graves tumuli - burial mounds Distance43 miles/54 mins. Pop. 4,600
Children's Attractions - See end of this section.
Dinan - A lovely medieval town withnice places to eat, old buildings to see, and lots of atmosphere. It is described as the best preserved medieval town in Brittany. The old town of Dinan is crammed with many small shops and half-timbered houses with their overhanging upper storey’s, with 13th-century ramparts and 15th-century half-timbered houses. Allow a couple of hours to wander the winding streets and visit the many gift shops selling a range of Breton produce. The town’s best angle can be seen from the River Rance, where the magnitude of the fortifications and castle are fully appreciated. All the interesting places are within the walls in the old town. There is a choice of over twenty places to eat including creperies, pizzeria, water-front restaurants and traditional French fare.
Distance53 miles/1:13 mins. Pop. 11,500
Dinard - Situated right on the coast opposite St Malo, sitting atop a rocky headland above the Rance, Dinard was a popular spot with the British in Edwardian times; they still visit today for the bracing sea air and a stroll along the promenade. The seafront is lined with Victorian Villas,many of which are listed buildings, which ensure the town still retains its elegant and sedate old worldcharacter. The main beach is La Grande Plage. a strip of sand between the two peninsulas that define the edges of the old town. It is popular with families and is crowded on hot days. Smaller and more isolated is Plage de St-Enogat, a 20-minute walk east through the village of St-Enogat, or Plage du Prieuré, just a 10-minute walk from town. There is a great difference between high and low tides, and swimming pools along the Grand Plage and the Plage du Prieuré beaches catch seawater during high tides for those who opt not to make the trek along the salt flats during low tides to bathe in the sea. A footpath cut into the base of the cliff rocks provides a scenic route that links the different beaches, and from here you get the best view of the walled city of St Malo across the bay.
Distance64 miles/1:26 mins. Pop. 10,500
Hennebont -The stones of Hennebont, a little town on the left bank of the River Blavet, are proof of its long and rich history. Its key geographical position, with its access to the river and the sea, made it a trading crossroads and one of the most coveted strongholds in Brittany.
Highlights include the walled city, the Notre-Dame-du-Paradis (church), the stud farm, the Hennebont forges and the botanical park.
The nearest town to the cottage. The most striking feature of this charming medieval town is its mighty three towered chateau that dominates and reflects in the banks of the Oust. Within the Castle stables is housed the Musee des Poupees (famous doll museum) containing 600 dolls within a collection started in 1880 by the Rohan family. There are several streets lined with 16th and 17th century housing, and one of the best preserved houses the excellent Toursit Information Office. There is a fine selction of restaurants and pavement cafes where you can relax around the square and watch the world go by. Key dates are, Medieval Festival on Bastille day (July the 14th), and Pardon on the 8th of September. In summer you can climb the church tower for stunning views of the Chateau, town and wider countryside. There is a lively Saturday Market. For further information see our Josselin page.
Distance2 miles/5 mins. Pop .2,600
La Baule- If you want a longer day trip to a larger resort, then La Baule fits the bill, as one of the most famous sea side resorts on the Atlantic coast. Thecoast line which includes La Baule, Pornichet and Le Pouliguen, forms an almost uninterrupted stretch of seafront some 9 miles long. La Baule is an upmarket resort which consists of luxury hotels, a casino, magnificant villas, all fronted by a fine white sandy beach. The Google image (left) does some justice to the beautiful bay. The main beach is home to several sailing and leisure clubs for children. The tide goes out a long way and this exposes a huge arae of firm sand that forms a perfect playground. You can walk or ride along the promenade. Beach huts can be rented in the summer and La Baule Nautique rents sailing dinghies or motor boats by the day. It is also possible to canter along the sand on horseback, there are several equestrian centres offering special rates for a one hour ride on the beach.
La Baule's marina and former fishing harbour, Le Pouliguen, is still a busy port and retains its original narrow winding streets. The resort is famous for its shady 15 acre park the Bois d'Amour (the wood of love), a favourite for walking and playing games such as boules.
Distance58 miles/78 mins. Pop. 15,833
La Roche-Bernard - has been popular since Bernhardt, a Viking chief, realised its strategic potential as a port, and the sheltered anchorage is now a favourite with yachtsmen. This quaint and pretty town clings to the rocky cliff face overlooking the Vilaine estuary. As well as the little streets around Place du Bouffay, there is a museum of maritime history. La Maison de l’Abeille is an interesting and educational trip through the world of the bee, with a shop supplying honey. For the nautical, there are trips on a traditional sailing ship on the river Vilaine. La Roche-Bernard has been designated a Petite Cité de Caractère (small town of character) in recognition of its historic nature, and is well worth a visit. There is a boat restaurant, where you can conveniently combine a good meal with boat tour of the Gulf. There is an excellent range of restaurants and the old quarter is packed with charming flower-decked houses, and has become an artists quarter attracting crafts people displaying pottery, paintings, leatherware etc. There area regular craft markets where the resident artisans combine with visiting artists who set up street stalls to bring together some of the best qualitycraft items in Brittany.
A graceful suspension bridge spans the river, replacing an earlier version accidentally destroyed when lightning struck a German ammunition base.
La Trinite, the former port of Carnac, has become world famous as the champions’ yachting port. This is where Eric Tabarly and his successors experienced their moments of glory before they collected prizes around the world.
The Trinite marina has berths for 1,000 yachts and is always full. Races, regattas and parades of tall ships are held throughout the year.
Distance42 miles/54 mins. Pop. 1,600
Lizio A Petite Cite de Caractere. Only a few minutes drive from from the cottage through quiet country lanes, or even better to cycle. A pretty village with lovely stone houses, and an amazing variety of things to do. Nearby is the Insectarium and the ecomusee of old French life.
Locmariaquer - This pretty oyster port guarding the neck of the Golfe du Morbihan rivals Carnac in archaeological importance. Its main sites lie in a fenced compound north of the village. They include a huge menhir on its side, broken in four sections. If it ever stood upright it would have measured over 65 feet high.
Locmariaque is a peaceful place with attractive south facing beaches and apleasant old harbour from where you can get plenty of boat trips.
Distance42 miles/54 mins. Pop. 1,400
Lorient - A great place to visit on a Sunday - it has a lovely market and a very good beach at L'amour Plage.A wide variety of different types of restaurants/bars. The revitalised dock land and state of the art fish market at Lorient makes for an interesting spectacle on its vast harbour. Boat trips to Ile de Groix and Belle Ile are a popular excursion from Lorient. The fishing port is immense (second largest in France) and worth a visit for the auction of the morning catch. The old submarine base, originally built by the Germans, is now deserted - the last sub left in 1997. The tourist office arranges daily visits. Alternatively, there are visits to the Victor Pleven, a trawler once used for cod fishing off Newfoundland.
Lorient plays host to important yacht races each year and the Festival Interceltique takes place the first fortnight of August. Uniting Celtic peoples from the British Isles, Spain and Brittany, the festival draws more than 4,500 artists and musicians every year for traditional music and dancing in the streets. Cider, crêpes and cotriade (fish stew) are on sale around the fishing harbour, complete with Astérix-style village. The festival is highly recommended, but with over 300,000 people attending, it can get crowded. Distance47 miles/46 mins. Pop. 62,000
Malestroit - Malestroit is also known as the 'pearl of the west', which indicates something of its attractiveness. Its old quarters are exceptionally well preserved with gabled merchant houses of stone and timber. The church of St-Gilles is also worth a look. It was originally built in the 12th century, and modified in the 16th century. The village is on the Nantes-Brest Canal and makes an ideal starting point for strolls/cycles along the canal towpath. In summer you can hire a motor boat from Canal Loc56 - boats take up to five persons. Not far west is the Musee de la Resistance Bretonne, an open air museum that tells the story of Brittany's part in WW2. On Thursday mornings a large market fills the church squareoffering huge quantities of local seafood and regional produce. Distance 15 miles/21 mins. Pop. 2,500
Mont St Michel - Mont St Michel is very busy and touristy, and en route to the house from the Normandy ports. Well worth a stop off, particularly to watch the tide come in and take photos of the Abbey.
The walk from the famous Cancale rock up to the Pointe du Grohin gives superb views of Mont St Michel on a clear day.
Distance102 miles/1:39 mins.
Ploërmel - Ploërmel takes its name from Armel, a 6th century English monk but little remains of its illustrious past. The St Armel church has some fine stained glass and granite tombstones in the transept. The astronomical clock, classed as a national monument, was built in the 19th century and has 10 panels depicting the solar system. The Maison de Marmousets in Rue Beaumanoir is the most famous landmark in the town and has some marvelous wood sculptures on its facade. The old town has a variety of cafés and restaurants as well as a market on Friday mornings.
The Lac au Duc lies just outside the town and is the largest inland lake in Brittany. It has a man-made sandy beach with supervised lake swimming (summer). Sailing, water-skiing and pedalos are available. There is also a small restaurant and café. Golf (9 holes), tennis and fishing are also available.Alongside the lake runs the ‘Voie verte’ a 53km cycle track open to everyone to enjoy cycling, hiking, roller blading or just strolling. You can also enjoy a stroll around the waymarked Hortensia (Hydrangeas) Trail. Distance 10 miles/13 mins.Pop. 5,000
Pontivy - Amazing buildings, great shops - especially the odd little ones up side streets. An evening walk along the canal really makes you forget the rest of the world. Monday is market day in Pontivy. The church of Basilique Notre Dame De Joie, in the centre of the town is well worth a look around.
Pontivy is in two halves - the medieval town with its fortified 15th century château overlooking the river and the regimented streets laid out to Napoléon's plan. It was a military base and he renamed it Napoléonville. The old town, around Place du Martray, has narrow streets and overhanging wooden houses and a good Monday market.
If your looking for somewhere to eat, we can recommend the Restaurant Brasserie Pizzeria L'Aiglon opposite the chateau at 42 rue General de Gauille (Tel. 02 97 27 98 08).
Distance22 miles/30 mins. Pop. 15,000
Quiberon Peninsula - The resort of Quiberon at the far end of the peninsula is one of the Morbihan's liveliest and most popular. Besides the good sandy beaches it is also the ferry terminal for Belle-Ile and is always crowded in the summer. There is every type of water sport to satisfy the most ardent enthusiast.
The Quiberon peninsular was once an island linked to the mainland by a string of dunes. Lovers of solitude can lose themselves walking along the Cote Sauvage (wild coast).
Saint-Pierre-Quiberon is 3 miles north of Quiberon. This small resort has lovely sandy beaches. Since 1966 the National Sailing School has been based here, and it is one of the leading training centres in Europe. There is also a sand yachting club. Distance52 miles/1:11 mins.
Quimper - The town lies in the neighbourbouring region of Finistere, and is the oldest town in Brittany. It has a rustic atmosphere with charming footbridges spanning the rivers that flow through it. The Church of Locmaria, a Romanesque structure, dates from the 11th century. The Cathedral of Saint-Corentin, with its magnificent Gothic-style façade, was constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. It is the oldest Gothic structure in Lower Brittany. Its two towers are 250 feet tall; its spires were added in the 19th century. The 15th century stained glass windows are exceptional.
To the cathedral’s west are the pedestrianised streets of Vieux Quimper with a wide array of crêperies, half-timbered houses and shops. Near the Episcopal palace, which now holds the Musée départemental Breton [devoted to regional history, archaeology, ethnology and economy] are the ruins of the town’s 15th century walls. Nearby is the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The museum has a 19th century façade and an entirely rebuilt interior. It houses a collection of 14th to 21st century paintings that includes works by Boucher, Corot, Oudry and Rubens along with canvases by such Pont-Aven school painters as Bernard, Denis, Lacombe, Maufra and Sérusier.
The town is famous for its brightly painted pottery, which is sold at many of the gift shops.
Street map of Quimper Distance86 miles/1:18 mins. Pop. 59,400
Rennes - The capital of Brittany is not a particularly large city, with 200,000 population, but 60,000 of those are students, which lends a lively feel to the place - and a high proportion of bars! The two universities in thecity mean that Rennes is just as busy at night as it is by day. This is the cultural centre for the region, with the Breton Museum, The Musee des Beaux-Arts (fine art)and the National Theatre of Brittany. Entertainment is not confined to formal buildings, with street festivals and fairs held throughout the year. Highlights for the day visitor include the wonderful architecture such as Brittany's parliament building built in the 17th century andthe timbered buildings, the oldest of which is the Auberge des Barrilieres built in 1580. The Garden of Thabor is a 24 acre garden right in the town centre, and once belonged to an abbey. Every Saturday morning there is a market in the Place des Lices, and it is one of the largest markets in France with an impressive flower market. There is no shortage of places to eat and drink. The Rue Saint Michel has been nicknamed the 'Street of Thirst' by locals due to the fact that nearly every building is a bar. The locals eat lunch at the pavement tables of the little restaurants centred on the old Town. Street map of Rennes. Distance53 miles/52 mins.
Rochefort-en-Terre - The little village of Rochefort-en-Terre is utterly enchanting. The sight of the houses huddled on top of a spur of shale overlooking a luxuriant green landscape seems to have come straight out of a fairy story. When you visit the village you may notice that there is not a television aerial or electricity pole in sight. The village is remarkably similar architecturally and seems to come from another age. Furthermore, its granite walls are brightened with huge banks of multicoloured flowers in boxes and baskets.
Most of the original chateau has now disappeared. The present house consists of 18thC buildings turned into a manor house. Four rooms are open to the public and a small regional museum displays items from local village life. There is an interesting antiques shop selling a huge range of local artifacts. Take a look at some of the remarkable buildings in the upper town, consisting of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18thC houses with carved granite window frames and corner turrets. A 6 mile way marked trail takes you from the village to the slate quarries of Malansac, besides a stream, through an oak wood and across moors – you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Grees, the rocky hills around Rochefort.
Distance26 miles/35 mins.
St. Malo - Founded in the 6th century by the Welsh monk Maclow. It is now amongst one of the most visited cities in the world. Concealed behind the walls is an outstanding town, filled with places to visit. The coastline bristles with forts; it is also dotted with beautiful sandy beaches.
If you arrive by ferry, then St Malo is the nearest port for the Morbihan area. If you have some time on you hands, instead of rushing off with the rest of the ferry traffic, why not have a look around the most popular tourist town in Brittany?
Distance93 miles/1:28 mins. Pop. 52,700
Vannes -A truly attractive town, and highly recommended for a day trip from the cottage - Wednesday or Saturdayare best as you will experience the bustling street market. Vannes hosted the 16th century summit when the Duchy of Brittany became united with France. Since then the old town, behind its ramparts, has remained more or less untouched. As with many medieval towns, it is much better to park the car and walk around, there is free parking along the quay-side (the busier it is the further you have to go from the centre of town). A guided tour from the tourist office is a good idea as there is so much to see. All around the cathedral is worth exploring with the ancient houses, Musée des Beaux Arts and the old streets with some very chic shops. Our recommended restaurant is the Pizzeria Villa Romana (16, rue des Vierges), which has the best outdoor terrace in Vannes, overlooking the ramparts and Castle gardens.
Along with the archaeology museum and old houses there is a leisure park "Parc du gulf" near the gare maritime, this hasa butterfly farm and an aquarium andprovides a departure point for boat trips to the gulf islands. There is a free park &ride shuttle busprovided to link with the Port and Conleau, the nearest sandy beach.
Street Map of Vannes. Distance25 miles/36 mins. Pop. 55,000
Action sports park for aerial activities: 85 activities for the children to play on - climbing nets, ropes, rope ladders, abseiling, rapelling and more for age 8 and up.
Open all year, part of a chain with centers all over France.
At La Poupinaie-est, Quelneuc (56). Tel. 02 99 93 78 78
Water park with vast chain of swimming pools (temp 29 to 34 degrees), waves, 60 metre water toboggan, paddling pool, aquagym, Jacuzzis, saunas and sun rooms.
Cafeteria and restaurant. Open daily.
At route de Kerogan, Creac'h Gwen, Quimper. Tel. 02 98 52 00 15
Cobac Parc - Entertainment park with water slides and swimming pools, rodeo, pony rides, mini train and boat rides and more. Shaded parking. In Lanhelin, between Rennes and St Malo Tel: 02 99 73 80 16
Coetarlan Aventure - Mini park, forest walks and pony rides for children. Open April to November. At Tevineaux, Nivillac (56). Tel: 02 99 99 97 03
Haliotika - Everything to do with sea fishing. 730m square space near the fish market includes displays of boats, fish varieties, interactive educational for children and boat rides. Terrasse Panoramique de la Criee, Le Guilvinec.
Tel: 02 98 58 28 38
K3 Patinoire - Skating rink at 8 rue Bernard Guillemot, Quimper (29). Tel: 02 98 53 19 50
La Ferme du Mond - Vast 25 hectare park separated into areas representing different agricultural parts of the world and animals. Children can interact with the animals. Open April to November. At Carentour. Tel: 02 99 93 70 70
La Récré des 3 Curés - Karting, roller coaster, bobsled, swing-boat, river splash, boating, mini farm, trampolines, covered playground and more. Picnic areas and restaurant. Open all year. 10 mins from Brest, 40 mins from Roscoff (29).
Tel: 02 98 07 95 59
Labyrinthe du Corsaire - Maze in a maize field, bouncy castles, giant puzzle, pedal carts, snack/drink kiosk. Open from middle of July to middle of September. In Kerdrien, Guidel, near Lorient (56). Tel: 02 99 81 17 23
Le Marinarium - Marinecentre for oceanographic discovery. Video shows and demonstrations. At Place de la Croix, Concarneau (29) Tel: 02 98 50 81 64
Les Aquatides - Water park with giant toboggan, water slides, diving pool, paddling pool, Jacuzzis, saunas and more.At les Livaudieres, Loudeac.Tel: 02 96 66 14 40
Les Balneides - Water park and heated swimmimg pools (29 deg): toboggans, water cannons, slides, paddling and toddler pools, sauna, and aquagym. Private and group swimming lessons for children. Open daily. At Allee de loc'hilaire, Fouesnant.
Tel: 02 98 56 18 19
Oceanopolis - Vast ocean discovery park with over 1,000 animal species in recreated natural habitats: Polar region, Caribbean, Great Barrier Reef and more. Restaurant and gift shop. At Port du Plaisance du Moulin Blanc, Brest.
Tel: 02 98 34 40 40
Odet Loisirs - Huge park of 7 hectares with games for children: trampolines, bouncy mountains, huge slides, mazes, water features and adventure activities for older kids. Picnic or eat at the restaurant. D15 between Quimper and Coray, Elliant. Tel: 02 98 59 18 25
Parc Aquanature - Vast natural park with buck, aquariums, horse and 4x4 trails, and a "Safari Breton".Open daily from Easter to November. Stone houses for overnight stays sleep 6 to 8. At Le Sterou, Priziac.
Tel: 02 97 34 63 84
Planetarium de Bretagne - Full demonstrations include: The planet with 1000 Faces; A Voyage through the Solar System and The Southern Sky Mysteries. At the Cosmopolis, Pleumeur-Bodou (22).
Tel: 02 96 15 80 32
Planete Aquarium - Aquarium and bird park with 3D cinema and waterfall. Children's groups and conference hall rental. At rue du Goyen, Audierne. Tel: 02 98 70 03 03
Poete Ferrailleur - Sculptor/creator/artist creates machines, toys, musical sculptures and more from waste material. Open daily 1 April to end October and open Sundays and holidays, November to March. Special rates for children up to 14 years. At La Ville Stephant, Lizio (56) Tel: 02 97 74 97 94
Surf School - Lessons in windsurfing, sailing catamarans, speed sailing and more. Kids clubs for beach and water activities. At 2 ave de la Hoguette, St Malo (35).
Tel: 02 99 40 07 47
Tropical Parc - Tropical and exotic birds (with a special parakeet show), animals and plants in 8 acres of parkland.
Also an area for Asian art. At St Jacut les Pins. Tel: 02 99 71 91 98
Zoo de Pont Scorff - Birds, cats of the world, African animals and more. Restaurant and open all year. At Kerruisseau, Pont-Scorff(56). Tel: 02 97 32 60 86
leaflets for many of these attractions are available in the Tourist Information File in the cottage.
Guide Books
Brittany is a very popular holiday destination, not only with the British, but also with the French, and their European neighbours. The region is catered for by all the major holiday guide publishers. Each of these guides has its own merits, depending on your preferred style and type of holiday. Our own personal favourite is the Vacances Brittany by Hachette, because it is concisely written by knowledgeable French nationals and beautifully illustrated. Fortunately, you will not have to choose, because we have provided copies of all these guides in the cottage for your use.
Travel Zones Map
The above are just some suggestions of places to visit, mostly in Southern Brittany. There are many more, and far too many to list individually. We have concentrated on ideas for the Morbihan area, but you will find that a large part of brittany is within a 90 minute car journey from our cottage. If you like exploring, day-trips to the north or west coast are all within a comfortable travelling distance. A day trip to the Nantes and the Loire area is also feasible (80 miles/1hr30).
The cottage at La ville au Tady is located in the centre of the inner blue circle. The circles indicate 30, 60 and 90 minute travel zones.
For rainy-day ideas of places to visit, check out FrenchEntree.com - also useful for off-season breaks.
The local Tourist Info at Josselin is open all year round and contains an excellent range of information & leaflets (you will also find a selection of these at the cottage).
All distances are from Guegon and times based on Autoroute calculations
Josselin
Abeille Vivante & la Cite des Fourmis
Adventure Parc
Aquarive
Cobac Parc
Haliotika
La Ferme du Mond
La Récré des 3 Curés
Labyrinthe du Corsaire
Le Marinarium
Les Aquatides
Les Balneides
Oceanopolis
Odet Loisirs
Parc Aquanature
Planetarium de Bretagne
Poete Ferrailleur
Surf School
Tropical Parc
Zoo de Pont Scorff
