There are a number of interesting and historical villages to explore within a short distance of the cottage. This can be done either by car, on foot, or perhaps best of all by bicycle along the quiet and relatively traffic-free country lanes. Although these places are technically called towns in Brittany, and each has its own Town Hall, or Marie, they are far closer to what most UK visitors would call a village, having fewer than 3000 inhabitants.
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This is our local village a pleasant 5 minute drive through beautiful countryside from our cottage - or cycle through the quiet, but steep, country lanes. Within the village you will find the Bar Tabac Le Saxo, Pizza Bar Le Central, restaurant, the local Vival general store, garage service-station, florist, restaurant, hairdresser, and perhaps most importantly, a boulangerie-patisserie for daily fresh bread and croissants.
The village also has a doctor, pharmacy, boules court, picnic area, tennis courts and campsite with 18-hole mini-golf course [Camping du Bas de la Lande Apr-Oct].
A biscuit factory makes traditional Breton biscuits and they have an outlet shop in the centre of Josselin, but visit the factory shop for the best bargains.
There is an historical 12th Century church and the old communal outdoor clothes washing area is still present (lavage). Each year on the eve of Bastille Day, the village holds its own celebrations complete with live music, dancing, barbecue, bar, and fireworks. Visitors are made very welcome and encouraged to join in.
We would encourage you to 'shop local' and use the Guegon stores when possible.
GUEHENNO 3.5 miles South-West This historic village is noted for its original buildings and information plaques are located around a village trail to explain items of interest. You will find several bars, the restaurant La Pomme Dor, a restaurant creperie, boulanger patissier, craft shop, butchers shop, and small general store. There is a picnic area and the start of a walking route 'Circuit des Moulins au Manoir' which takes 2.5 hours. Look out for the small Jack Russell dog that enjoys following you around the village!
LIZIO 5 miles South-East There is so much to see and do in this beautifully restored village, located just 5 miles away through quiet country lanes. Several signposted foot paths offer delightful rambles in green, hilly countryside. If you prefer the shops, there are some excellent local products on sale. In July and August you can visit the Cidrerie du Terroir on the road to Ploermel to stock up on local cider. If beer is more to your taste, try the Cervoise Lancelot (Lancelot ale brewery), in the old buildings of the Villeder, route du Roc-Saint-André, you can taste this drink which was invented by the Gauls. There is also the Ferme des Sangliers, a wild boar farm, where you can visit and buy the product to take home for a barbecue! The Ecomusee de la Ferme et des Vieux Metiers is a farming and craft museum. The Poete Ferrailleur is a sculptor/creator/artist who creates machines, toys, musical sculptures and more from waste material. Open daily April to October and open Sundays and holidays, November to March.
The restaurant Le Glaneus seats 130 people and is open all year. They cook local speciality dishes including ham cooked on the bone with Lizio cider, and grills of local wild boar in barley beer. Every Thursday evening in July and August they advertise "dancing around a roasting pig"! The bar Retour Aux Sources serves sandwiches and snacks, and English is spoken. The snack barChez Pierre is a creperie which also sells souvenirs and bread. La Liziotaise is a creperie grill with lovely outdoor decked terrace - we have eaten here and can recommend it.
Each summer a major arts & crafts festival takes place in Lizio, the Festival in August 2007 was their 34th year. The whole village is shut off to though traffic and becomes the host for a fantastic day of traditional countryside skills, music, dancing, food, plays, arts & crafts. There are 190 exhibitors, displaying everything from scale models to clog making. This is definitely something not to be missed if your visit coincides.
Every second Sunday in August there is a local crafts fair.
For the more energetic there are three hiking trails - the botanical exploration path (5km/3 mile), the moorland footpath (5km/3 miles) or the Templar path (8.5km/5 ¼ miles), and two mountain bike trails (20 & 35 Km). The moorland walk is one of our favouites, and is great combined with lunch at La Liziotaise or take a picnic.
The Centre Equestre de Sainte Catherine (horse riding school) has 30 horses and 15 ponies catering for adults and children over four years with walks per hour & excursions.
Those interested in buying a property in Brittany, or just interested in window shopping, will be pleased to find the English based Francophile's Estate Agents have their French office in the village.
