Historical sites and monuments

Rather like a treasure hunt, our audioguide leads you to explore the Abbey Park and its romantic remains. Audioguides in English, German, Dutch and for children. This old Cistercian Abbey, dating from 1177, is located in the enchanting setting of Carnoët Forest on the Laïta River.

Welcome to a landscape worthy of a postcard ! The beauty of the port of Doëlan alone represents the magic of the rias. Nested in a deep and narrow ria, the port of Doëlan is guarded by two unmissable lighthouses, a green one and a red one !

The port of Merrien

Sheltered by a neck of moor and wood, the quiet and restful port of Merrien is overlooked by the imposing “Customs Officers' House”. The port of Merrien is devoted to the breeding and direct sale of shellfish and oysters, called “oyster of Merrien”

Renowned for its flat oysters, the little harbour of Le Bélon can be seen from the oyster river. Oyster farming reigns supreme in Riec-sur-Bélon, which also has another harbour, Rosbras. This is where the famous "Bélon flat oyster" appeared in the late 19th century. Its refined hazelnut flavour is greatly appreciated by connoisseurs. In fact, Riec-sur-Bélon celebrates its star oyster every summer, in late July!

The very distinctive little harbour of Le Bélon is dominated by a manor house built between the 15th and 19th centuries, with direct views of the ocean. The harbour is busy every day when the fishing boats come in, an ideal time to buy fresh fish and other products of the sea…

Heading towards the ocean, you will see the remains of Le Bélon fort, which overlook the entrance to the estuary.

Renowned for its famous painting school founded by Paul Gauguin, Pont-Aven is a small town in Finistère, 12 kilometres from the coast and 17 kilometres from Concarneau.

Nestling in a verdant valley and benefiting from an enchanting setting, Pont-Aven is a lovely place for a walk with its narrow streets, small bridges, washhouses and old windmills, some which have restored mill wheels. Beautiful granite houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, a house with a turret, and 20th-century villas contribute to its charm.

It was the light that attracted the painter Paul Gauguin in the 19th century. He founded the Pont-Aven School there in 1886, and was followed by Émile Bernard, Paul Sérusier, Maxime Maufra... They met up to paint at Lover's Wood (Le Bois d'Amour), beneath the Trémalo Chapel. A discovery trail "In the Footsteps of Paul Gauguin" makes reference to this period of pictorial effervescence surrounding the artist. Today, painting is still a major attraction in Pont-Aven, with many artists' studios and galleries, exhibition venues and a Fine Art Museum.

The food-loving town of Pont-Aven has another well-known speciality: the famous pure butter biscuits called galettes, made artisanally and found in many places around town.

The River Aven, which runs through the town, can provide a focal point for exploring the area. You can enjoy lovely walks along its flowery banks, a canoe-kayak or licence-free boat ride, or a guided tour aboard a vedette boat.

Holidaymakers gather at Port-Manec'h beach, a family-friendly beach decorated with white cabins, located at the mouth of the Aven and Bélon, 10 kilometres from Pont-Aven. Yachters meanwhile can take refuge in the well-sheltered harbour.

The port city of Lorient is located amid green valleys at the mouth of the Blavet and Scorff rivers, in Morbihan.

The town began its expansion in 1666, following the creation of the French East India Company (La Compagnie des Indes) by Colbert, in Port-Louis. After that, it developed thanks to commerce, maritime activity and military shipbuilding. Hit hard by bombing during the Second World War, Lorient was rebuilt in the 50s. Its architectural heritage includes beautiful 18th-century mansions, the Quai des Indes dock, houses from the 30s, the port enclosure and the Gabriel mansion, reminders of the French East India Company.

On a guided tour you can explore Keroman Submarine Base, the biggest 20th-century fortress designed to contain U-boats.

Other sights include the Flore submarine and its museum area, as well as the Éric Tabarly Sailing Museum, where you can explore the world of sailing and sea racing.

Lorient also hosts an internationally renowned Celtic music festival: the Interceltique festival, which organises its big parade of Celtic nations every August. A great atmosphere is guaranteed, with concerts, bagads, bagpipes and fest-noz!

Trévignon headland, in the municipality of Trégunc, is an integral part of a superb natural site owned by the French Coastal Protection Agency. This gulls' paradise lies at the end of a 6-kilometre strip of dunes dotted with lakes, and is a sanctuary for birds.

At this great place for outings and hikes, nature-lovers will be delighted by the biodiversity and the wild landscapes, between the coastal path and beaches, with a view of the Glénans, whose dunes and seven lakes are listed sites. One of them, Loc'h Coziou, is an ornithological reserve that is home to over 150 species, to discover on a guided tour with the House of the Coast (Maison du Littoral).

Trévignon headland also possesses some interesting built heritage: the fort, an old castle that is now private property; the lighthouse at the end of the jetty; a pretty little fishing harbour and marina; and a 16th-century chapel, St. Philibert's, built on the hillside.

From Lorient embark on the beautiful Ile de Croix.

After a pleasant voyage of 45 minutes, you will discover the second of Britain by area. 8 km long and 3 km wide, it consists of a tray and many valleys. The island tour by bike is also very nice, but also very sporty with its many steep paths. Then you can relax on a single track in Europe, the only convex beach of the old continent, the Grands Sables beach. Sublime and vast beach, it also has the distinction of having sand that combines all shades of garnet and white. You will also discover a wild, pretty little fishing ports and more intimate coves.

Boasting a rich historical heritage, the "blue town" of Concarneau developed from an old fortified island, the Ville Close. It was built on a rocky islet and ramparts were erected around it in the 13th century, then remodelled in the 17th century by Vauban. This strategic position made it a first-rate military and trading site, which would require the town to be extended as time went by, with the addition of several suburbs and neighbouring villages. You can access the fortifications during the school holidays thanks to the Heritage House (Maison du Patrimoine), which provides access to the ramparts via the Governor's tower. From there, you can enjoy an impressive view of the Bay of Concarneau, the fishing harbour and the marina.

Inside the Ville Close are the pretty, narrow streets of restaurants and shops that make this Finistère town so charming…

An active fishing port, Concarneau tells the story of maritime activity at the Fishing Museum, with an impressive collection of boats, scale models and everyday objects used by sailors.

Ocean biodiversity is the theme of the Marinarium, a showcase for the marine biology station which offers many attractions including a touch pool for children.

Another sight to see is Keriolet Castle, in the hills around the town, a Neo-Gothic gem from the 19th century. It was built on the orders of a Russian princess, Tsar Nicholas II's aunt, and belonged to Prince Yusupov, Rasputin's assassin.

In the tourist season, Concarneau becomes a seaside resort thanks to its sandy beaches, sheltered in one of Brittany's most beautiful bays. A scenic walk leads you there via the corniche. Many coastal and inland paths await walkers who want to enjoy the coast or the surrounding countryside.

A date for your diary in summer: the Filets Bleus festival in the second-to-last weekend of August. The programme includes musical entertainment, exhibitions, workshops and concerts.

Faience pottery developed from the 17th century onwards in Quimper's Locmaria quarter. Inspired by Breton culture, faience-making reached its peak in the 19th century, with a unique manufacturing process. Soon there would be competition from new arrivals on this profitable and popular market. In the early 20th century, three big names were known all over France: La Grande Maison de la Hubaudière, Porquier-Beau and Henriot.

Quimper faience is entirely decorated by hand and the manufacturing process has many stages: creating the mould, preparing the clay , calibration, pressing, casting, finishing, and the first firing. Then come enamelling, freehand decoration and the second firing.

The last big faience house, Henriot-Quimper, offers workshop tours and sells its collections on the premises.

To find out all about this world-famous local craft, don't hesitate to visit the museum dedicated to it, located in a former faience works in Locmaria. Collection pieces from the 18th century appear alongside contemporary pieces, some of which are unique!

This pretty city in Finistère, 15 kilometres from the coasts, has the Rivers Steïr and Odet running through it. Many footbridges over the two waterways, the medieval old town, the little streets and the peaceful squares contribute greatly to the city's romantic atmosphere, influenced by the medieval period.

Three distinct areas form its historic centre, to be explored on foot at your leisure!

The Locmaria quarter, featuring an old priory, medieval garden that has earned the Remarkable Garden label, and a Romanesque church, which has large amounts of Breton art. In this area, there are some lovely pottery and embroidery shops, including one name that's not to be missed: the Henriot-Quimper faience pottery works, a local institution!

The episcopal quarter, with the old Bishops' Palace and the Cathedral of St. Corentin, built in the 13th century, is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in Brittany. Be sure to admire its stained glass windows and two spires, towering 75 metres above the ground.

The Dukes of Brittany quarter, with its Church of St. Matthew, houses with corbels, gables or timber frames, typical cobbled streets named after the medieval corporations…

Quimper is Brittany's cultural capital. To find out more about the history and artistic heritage of the city, head to the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most extensive in France, based in an Italian-style palace. There are works of art by the Pont-Aven School on its walls, and one section is dedicated to the legend of Ys, a town that was engulfed by the waves.

The region's heritage is showcased at the old episcopal palace, which has been turned into a Breton departmental museum devoted to the popular arts and traditions of Finistère.

Quimper has some lovely shops where you can buy tasty treats, as well as factory outlets, especially for pottery: a good opportunity to acquire a famous "Breton bowl" with your name on it. To find out more about this art form, feel free to visit the Earthenware Museum in the Locmaria quarter, which has a long list of exhibits, some of which are unique.

If you feel peckish, don't hesitate to sample the famous lace pancakes or pay a visit to a pancake house!

Since 1923, Quimper has hosted the Cornouaille festival every year in July, with Breton music. Many shows and concerts take place during this period.

A must-see attraction in the capital of Finistère, the Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1864, thanks to a donation by the Count of Silguy, who was born in the city. Here you can admire some extensive collections of French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch painting, from the 14th century to the present day. Seen as one of the main art museums in Western France, Quimper Museum of Fine Arts also has themed departments, dedicated to the Quimper poet Max Jacob, the Pont-Aven School, Breton-inspired painting and the graphic arts.

The museum organises three big exhibitions a year, and has several times been awarded the "exhibition of national interest" label by the French Museums Directorate of the Ministry for Culture and Communication.

The "Studio secrets" circuit helps young ones to explore these exhibitions through hands-on activities and games.

A popular sailing destination, this welcoming small town on the Morbihan coast has a triple identity: as a major marina, a seaside resort and a port of registry for famous skippers.

La Trinité-sur-Mer offers holidaymakers no fewer than 9 beaches to experience the joys of swimming and water sports, especially the beaches of Kervillen and Men-Dû, which face south. At Kervillen, there are salt marshes where you can learn about the salt marsh worker's job, and see abundant fauna and flora, on nature-themed guided outings. To the east, there are small beaches where you can gather shellfish at low tide.

La Trinité-sur-Mer is above all renowned for water sports: all types of boarding activities are practised there. There are also boat trips for exploring the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan during the summer, as well as Houat Island.

Professional skippers get together at La Trinité-sur-Mer for annual competitions, like the Spi Ouest France at Easter weekend, the Tour de Belle-Île and the ArMen Race in the spring.

You can't visit Brittany without a look at the megaliths! The 101 menhirs of Le Petit Ménec can be seen nearby.

Follow the guide in Morbihan for a breath of fresh air and a guaranteed change of scene: welcome to the Quiberon Peninsula, which was an island until the 11th century and now covers 14 kilometres.

An emblematic site on the Quiberon Peninsula, Turpault Castle, an Anglo-medieval manor, marks the start of the wild coastline that runs all the way to the Percho headland. This is the western face of the peninsula, and is more exposed to the wind, with its impressive jagged cliffs, a clear view of Belle-Île, and the superb spectacle of the waves and the sea. Please note, swimming is not allowed.

Further back are the typical villages with their blue-shuttered houses and blooming hydrangeas, and some megalithic sites, the most important being Kerbourgnec, in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon.

Le Conguel headland, at the south-east end of the peninsula, is the property of the French Coastal Protection Agency. Feel free to explore this wild area by bike to make the most of its superb landscapes, or on foot via the GR 34.

The tip of the peninsula and the east coast are the realm of sandy beaches, water sports, surfing spots and sea water therapy: the thalassotherapy centre opened by Louison Bobet is a great place to recharge your batteries in a haven of peace and well-being!

La Grande Plage beach in the seaside resort of Quiberon is well worth the detour for its 900 metres of fine sand.

A sunny climate contributes to the island's popularity during the year, and especially in the summer, when large numbers of holidaymakers arrive.

France's leading sardine-fishing port in the 19th century, Quiberon still has two canneries, which are open to visitors and where you can buy canned seafood. One of them is located at the fishing harbour of Port Maria, where the boats set off for the neighbouring islands.