LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
You've booked your trip to Brittany, now where should you go when you get here? Both the Brittany Tourist board and Morbihan Tourism websites have enormous amounts of information, definitely something to do for everyone:
But just to get you started, here are a few ideas and some of our favourite places. The only problem will be trying to fit everything into your holiday! ​
Malestroit
Our nearest town, with charming medieval houses and the Nantes-Brest canal running through it. It has a vibrant music scene, live music every Friday evening in summer, and home to festival Au Pont du Rock in August. With 4 supermarkets, restaurants, bars, banks/ATMs and many shops, its cobbled streets are a joy to walk round.
La Gacilly
A few minutes’ drive away is La Gacilly, well-known thanks to the family of Yves Rocher, home of the annual photographic exhibition, displaying amazing giant canvases throughout the town, between June and November, as well as being famous for its arts and crafts. Visit the botanical garden, try some treatments in the spa, go walking with donkeys or rent a boat.
Brocéliande forest
Discover the places of Arthurian legend, the Golden Tree, the Fairy Mirror, Merlin's Tomb, the Valley of no Return, along with the preserved natural sites of the Brocéliande forest, just 30 minutes away. Bikes (electric and ordinary) can be hired, guided bike tours also available.
Josselin
Overlooking the Oust valley and canal, Josselin castle is considered one of the most beautiful in Brittany. Take time to explore the attractive old town with its medieval half-timbered houses, the doll museum, many restaurants and bars, and the Bois d'Amour with its flat and hilly paths, walks for children and adults alike.
With more than 500 menhirs, the 1.5 km trail allows you to discover the history of this megalithic site at your own pace. You will walk among the 40 standing stones and discover the site through three reconstructed areas: the Neolithic village, the menhir site and the archaeological research area. Two walks of 14 and 15 km are also accessible on foot or by bike from the entrance to the site: "The Little Red Riding Hood circuit and the Megalith circuit. Free entry all year round.
Local gastronomy
No trip to Brittany is complete without sampling the local gastronomic delights: crêpes and buckwheat galettes, homemade caramel beurre salé, kouign-amann, gâteau breton, far breton, macarons, not forgetting the delicious array of local seafood and the veritable andouille de Guémené.
Univers du Poète Ferrailleur
Explore the world of Robert Coudray, also known as the poet scrapman! For over 25 years, he has built a fascinating collection of fantastic machines, wonderful sculptures, contraptions, automatons and musical fountains. Allow 2 hours to immerse yourself in the magic of the site. Suitable for young and old.
www.poeteferrailleur.com
Mont Saint-Michel
A little further out, but definitely worth a visit is the fabulous Mont Saint-Michel, a unique island topped by a gravity-defying Abbey. One of France's most stunning sights, this holy island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the breathtaking bay.
Nantes-Brest canal
The 360 km Nantes-Brest Canal crosses Brittany from one end to the other, with 236 locks along the way. From lock to lock, through unspoilt countryside, this route will take you to the heart of small towns full of character, small ports and imposing castles... Great for walking and cycling, why not hire a boat or canoe and see Brittany from the water.
Canal info
Lac au Duc
There are many lovely lakes nearby, including the largest of Brittany's inland lakes, the Lac au Duc at Ploërmel, 250 hectares stretching between Ploërmel, Taupont and Loyat. It has a fabulous 3km hydrangea walk with over 5,300 plants, or a 15km route for hardier walkers or cyclists, a golf course, a sailing club for water sports, fishing and an inland beach with a great play area, all just 20 minutes away.
Séné nature reserve
The Réserve Naturelle des Marais de Séné is the largest nature reserve in the Gulf of Morbihan (530 hectares). The site is recognised in Europe as one of the most remarkable areas for its biodiversity and in particular for its water birds..
www.reservedesene.bzh/​
Local beers and cidres
For those who like to sample local craft beers, there are around 25 micro-brasseries in Morbihan, one in our nearest town Malestroit (Barque!), and at least six within a 15-minute drive (or a little further by bike!) And for those who prefer cider, there are also several cideries nearby.
Breton bieres
Breton cideries
Branféré wildlife park
Enjoy an unparalleled experience at Branféré Park. It is home to 1,500 animals scattered on 45 botanical hectares. Remember your popcorn to feed some of the animals. Also don’t miss out on the fabulous bird show, and the Parcabout: explore 2,500 m2 of nets in the trees, 13 meters above ground.
Rochfort-en-Terre
Charming narrow streets, timber-framed houses, a castle, galleries and craft shops, along with a lake where you can zipline and explore the treetops... Rochefort-en-Terre, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, is a must-see in Brittany in both summer and winter alike!
Gulf of Morbihan
Mor bihan" is Breton for "little sea" and the Gulf of Morbihan covers about 40 square kilometres between Vannes and Auray in the north and Arzon and Sarzeau in the south. Around the famous Île aux Moines and Île d'Arz, easily reached by ferry from Vannes and Port Blanc, there are about 40 islets scattered across the sea. Explore the beautiful beaches, cliff-top walks and coastal paths leading to pretty harbours. For those not content with just relaxing by the sea, there are plenty of water sports, boat hire and fishing trips available. .
La Roche-Bernard
The fortified village of La Roche-Bernard has dominated the River Vilaine for a thousand years. This small town of character offers many walks, from old alleyways lined with 16th and 17th century houses to belvederes with beautiful views, art galleries and wonderful restaurants. Discover the remains of the first wooden suspension bridge in France (1839), the Notre-Dame Chapel built in 1063 and the two harbours, Quai de la Douane and Quai Saint-Antoine, or take a boat trip on the river..
Île aux Pies
Renowned throughout Brittany, the climbing sites here take advantage of the rocky slopes on both sides of the river. Climb secure routes with instructors from Escapades verticales, try canoeing with Apach'Bihan or sample a tasty crêpe or galette at the canalside local bar/restaurant.
Photo credits:
Séné - Réserve Naturelle des Marais de Séné [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons