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Useful Information Useful Information Links Affordable France EHIC / Travel Insurance Events - South of France Events in Brittany First time in France France Favourites Guide - Côte d'Azur Guide - N. Brittany Guide - Provence Guide - S.Brittany Luxury properties Overnight stops Travelling with children Travelling with pets South Brittany Guide There is a great selection of guide books and websites available giving full details of tourist attractions in Brittany. However we would like to share with you our personal favourite things to visit, see and eat in south Brittany and the Crozon Peninsula, so here is a brief list:
Audierne >Audierne Beaches: including surrounding area of Cap-Sizun. Photos below: La Plage Sainte Esteve (about 1km from the centre of Audierne); La Baie des Trépassés (about 13km Audierne, the “Land’s End” of Brittany - great for surfing, windsurfing and really dramatic waves. The name means Bay of the Dead but it is a very beautiful spot!);La Plage Pors Peren, a pretty cove (about 10km Audierne on the northern coast of Cap-Sizun; another good place for surfing). Boat trips - from the pier at Audierne to the Ile de Sein.
Café-bars: the prettiest part of Auray is St Goustan, which has some very nice cafés by the river. Markets: large street market Monday a.m. by the town hall. >Bénodet Festivals: Obelix Trophy sailing regatta, 29/4/10 to 2/5/10, Belle Plaisance yachting event 25/6/10 to27/6/10, Harbour Celtic Music Festival with musical fireworks 14/8/10 to 15/8/10, Breton music evening 27/8/10. Market: Monday morning. Museum: Musée au Bord de la Mer Restaurants: Les Néréïdes, 4 Avenue de la Plage, tel 02 98 57 28 89. Don’t miss the opportunity to cook your own steak / duck breast / sea food on a hot rock brought to your table! Ty Naik, Menez Groas (just by the roundabout at the top of Route de Trebourda) 02 98 57 12 32 Very popular with local workers, there is a 3 course set menu (EUR 10.50 in 2008) at lunchtime, details on the blackboard outside. Basic, but good home-cooked food and friendly service. Le Transat 02 98 66 29 29, overlooking the Vieux Port (next to the boat trip departure point). L’Aigrette 02 98 57 00 58 - boat restaurant at the Old Port in Bénodet. La Cabane du Pêcheur, Rond-point du Poulquer, Bénodet 02 98 66 27 97 La Mouette Rieuse (creperie) 26 Avenue de la Plage, Bénodet 02 98 57 28 14 For novelty value try the Le Tourne-dos just outside Bénodet on the D44 towards Fouesnant - the whole restaurant turns as you eat! Pizzas, grills etc. Children's menu. 02 29 40 28 89. Views: Superb views from the Pointe St Gilles
>Carnac Resturants: La Côte - high quality - 44€ and 52€ menus Auberge le Ratelier, 4 Chemin du Douet. tel. 02 97 52 05 04 Menus from €20 using seasonal produce. Chateau: Keriolet Castle, Rue de Keriolet, Concarneau. 02 98 97 36 50. Fifteenth century castle, once owned by the aunt of Tsar Nicolas II, restored in 1988. Open every day from June until September except Saturday afternoons. Cinema: Cinema Celtic, Rue de Colguen, Concarneau. www.cineceltic.com Festival: Fête des Filets Bleus at Concarneau every August, one of the oldest Brittany festivals. Fish auction: well worth getting up very early for, the 'Criée' - Concarneau's daily fish auction - is an unforgettable experience. Market: Monday and Friday a.m. Museum of Fishing: (Musée de la Pêche) in the Ville Close - shows the history of Concarneau and its importance as a fish canning centre. Music - check venue details for concerts in Concarneau, which are often free, for example at the Centre des Arts et de la Culture or L'église de Saint Guénolé. Restaurants: Les Océanides, 3 rue de Lin, Concarneau tel.02 98 97 08 61, family run restaurant in a hotel. Plain décor but excellent value traditional meals and friendly hosts. Les Moutons, 18 avenue du Docteur Nicolas, Concarneau tel 02 98 97 00 75. Good sea food, outside terrace excellent for watching the world go by. Ville Close: Delightful walled city in Concarneau harbour with walks round the ramparts. You can reach it from the main town across the drawbridge, or you can take the little ferry (bac) across the harbour from the southern outskirts of Concarneau. Visit: the Marinarium, Place de la Croix, Concarneau - showcase of the Marine Biology laboratory, with aquariums and videos to illustrate the local mrine flora and fauna. tel
>Crozon Peninsula Beaches:
One of the nicest seaside resorts in the Crozon peninsula is Morgat with its lovely sandy beach. There is a beach club for children and there are some good cafés and restaurants overlooking the beach. Views: From the Pointe des Espagnoles there are great views over the estuary to Brest. Also superb views from the Pointe Ben Hir, along from Camaret. >Douarnenez Restaurants: Creperie Ty Port Rhu, 7 Place de l’Enfer, by the river, 02 98 92 40 33 popular lunchtime for light meals & crepes - service is good and prompt. >Fouesnant Children - Fouesnant is designated as a 'Famille Plus' town, whch means that it is recognised as being particularly family friendly with information and activities to suit all ages. During the summer it is host to 'Place aux Mômes' - the kids' zone - and there are plenty of events including fancy dress parades, acrobatic clowns, concerts, dancing and slapstick comedy. This entertainment is usually free. Creperie - actually at La Forêt-Fouesnant, on the road leading down to the Vieux Port (the old harbour) we enjoyed superb crepes and very friendly service sitting on the terrace in the sun at the Quartier d'été. 02 98 56 82 40. Highly recommended, and there are nice walks here too, alongside the river and through the park to the marina.
Indoor pool: with slides etc at the Balnéides centre.
Market: Friday morning.
Guemené-sur-Scorff
Market: Traditional market every Thursday.
>La Baule (Loire-Atlantique)
La Baule is a sophisticated resort with a vast sandy beach shaped like a croissant which stretches for 4 miles. Manège des Platanes is a local stables which organises riding on the beach, highly recommended by previous tenants. Market: Tuesday
>PornichetRestaurants: Friendly welcome and great seafood at La Galerne at the Port de Plaisance 02 40 61 25 69. Market: Wednesday and Saturday morning all year. Indoor market open every morning from mid-June to mid-September, and from Tuesday to Sunday mornings the rest of the year. >Pont Aven
History: Ancient town which used to be the capital of Brittany, beautiful old buildings, cobbled streets. >Quiberon >Quimper Lovely medieval quarter, lots of cafés, boutiques & pedestrianised streets. Outdoor Wed, Sat; Place du Steir, Quai du Port au Vin, PLace Terre au Duc, Rue Astor, Sun; Place Victor Schoelcher. Organic market Fri 15h - 19h, Kerfeunteun >Trinité sur Mer >Vannes old walled town with half timber buildings, pedestrianised streets, great shops. General
Jardins de Rospico, Névez, 12km S.E.of Concarneau - founded in 1998. Inspired by the colours used by the painters of the Pont Aven school. Wide grassy paths wind through 3.5 hectares of thousands of plants, including some which are quite unusual. There is a Mediterranean garden, a water garden (home to hundreds of frogs), an English garden and a Japanese garden is presently under construction, with sea views from the little pagoda. The wide range of plants guarantees colour from spring to late autumn - the asters in autumn are quite spectacular. Cornouaille botanical park / Mineral Museum, Route de Pont L'Abbe Combrit, 20 kms South west of Quimper. 02 98 56 44 93. In a 3.5 ha natural park discover botanical treasures from China, Japan, Australia, and New-Zealand. In the museum, you will find a huge exhibition of minerals and gems from the whole world. Open from mid-March to mid-November. >Golf: There are eight golf courses along the stretch of coastline between Quimper and Vannes in Southern Brittany: Finisterre The Odet course is set in a large wooded estate. (18 holes, 6932 yards, par 72. 9 holes, 1084 yards, par 27). Golfe de l’Odet, Clohars Fouesnant, 29950 Bénodet. 02 98 54 87 88. The Cornouaille course (18 holes, 6150 yards, par 71) overlooks the bay at La Foret-Fouesnant. This challenging course, designed by Fred Hawtree, is set in the park of a Breton manor. Golf de Cornouaille, Manoir du Mesmeur, 29940 La Forêt Fouesnant.Tel: 02 98 56 97 09. website Morbihan Ploemeur Océan course (18 holes, 6410 yards, par 72) requires precise play, and has some very scenic holes right by the sea. Golf de Ploemeur Océan, Saint-Jude, Kerham, 56270 Ploemeur. 02 97 32 81 82. Val Quéven (18 holes, 6724 yards, par 73) is further inland, in the middle of a 100-year old oak forest. It was designed by Yves Bureau, and has several water obstacles. Golf du Val Queven, 56530 Lorient. 02 97 05 17 96. Saint Laurent (18 holes, 6686 yards, par 72. 9 holes, 2915 yards, par 35) is one of the most beautiful courses in Brittany, and has twice hosted the French professional championships. Golf de Saint Laurent, 56400 Auray. 02 97 56 85 18. The Baden course (18 holes, 6720 yards, par 72. 3 holes, 585 yards, par 9) has three sections; by the sea, through a copse and in a pine forest. It also has a testing putting course - unusual for a French golf course. Golf de Baden, Kernic, 56870 Baden. 02 97 57 18 96. The Rhuys-Kerver course, (18 holes, 5989m, par 72) at the tip of the Rhuys peninsula, is in the middle of an ornithological reserve - you are likely to see egrets and herons as you play. Golf de Rhuys-Kerver, 56730 St Gildas de Rhuys. 02 97 45 30 09. The course on the island Belle Isle en Mer (13 holes, 4660 yards, par 53) is in a superb location, swept by the ocean winds. Golf de Belle Ile en Mer, Pointe des Poulins, 56360 Sauzon. 02 97 31 64 65. >Walking:Brittany has more waymarked paths than anywhere else in France, including the the coastal path GR34 which covers over 1000km. There are also many interesting inland walks, including gentle strolls along the Nantes-Brest canal - ask at the local tourist information offices for details. We recommend the detailed maps (1: 25,000) from the IGN Série Bleue. >Views: For outstanding views over the Crozon Peninsula, Take the D887 from Chateaulin to Crozon and branch right after about 11km onto the road which leads up to the summit of Menez Hom, the tallest ‘mountain’ in Brittany at 330m. >Watersports: With its 3500 kilometres of coastline, plus rivers and lakes, Brittany is perfect for water sports.There are 120 sailing schools and 230 watersports centre - contact tourist information offices for local facilities. Sand yachting - for the adventurous - speeds up to 60mph! Tuition at the Centre de Char à Voile de la Torche at Plomeur. 02 98 58 80 21. Look for Les Points Passion Plage - beaches or lakes with organised water activities, with lessons and equipment hire. You buy a book of tickets which are valid for any activity available on any Point Passion Plage - good value for money. Click on www.pointplage for more information.
>Boat Trips Click on the link for details on festivals in Brittany. The Festival de Cornouaille the region’s largest folk festival, end of July in Quimper. In mid August the fisherman’s festival, La Fete des Filets Bleus in Concarneau is one of the liveliest in Brittany, with traditional music. La Fête Inter Celtique is a world-famous music festival at the beginning of August in Lorient. The Oceanopolis Brest, 02 98 34 40 40.Open daily in the summer, limited opening between October and March. Largest open air aquarium in Europe but much more than just an aquarium! The Parc de Préhistoire Malansac, Morbihan. Guided trail through prehistory discovering dinosaurs along the way. The snail farm at Le Croisic, near La Baule, will teach you all you need to know about raising snails - tasting optional! Musée de l’école rurale en Bretagne at Trevargan, start of Crozon peninsula. Museum showing the life of schoolchildren and teachers in an old school in early 1900’s. Les Balnéides, Fouesnant. Large indoor pool with slides. Aquashow - new at Audierne - discover Brittany sealife - more than 160 marine species in tanks, 3D cinema, bird displays, including cormorants fishing underwater… and more! Fun-land, Plouharnel (3km Carnac). 02 97 59 00 37. Quad biking for all ages. Equicelte Horse riding on the Quiberon Peninsula and by the standing stones. Route d'Erdeven, Kerganiet. 06 80 87 58 09. Parc Le P'tit Délire Play park with inflatables, animals, trampolines and more. On the D768 between Auray and Plouharnel. 02 97 56 73 51. Parc Forêt Adrénaline Forest adventure park on the D105 between Ploemel and Erdeven. Aerial walks for all the family. English spoken. 02 90 84 00 20. 'Place aux Mômes' can be found in towns throughout Brittany in the summer - this means 'Kids' Zone' - events vary according to the town, but include fancy dress parades, crobatic clowns, concerts, dancing or slapstick comedy. Fantastic entertainment, and it's usually free! Kids' Zone towns in southern Brittany include Fouesnant, Doarnenez and Névez. Le Poisson Volant Adventure park with a marine theme at Ploemeur, Morbihan. 06 80 24 05 06. Bonobo Parc Adventure park 45 Rue du Président Sadate - on the southern outskirts of Quimper, about 2km from the centre. 02 98 53 09 59. Look out for the amazing sand sculptures around the Brittany coast during the 'Breizh Sable' events throughout the summer - some have to be seen to be believed! This is no ordinary sand castle competition, you will see some real works of art - it is serious stuff, as you will see if you click on this link! If you are inspired, you can try out your own sand modelling skills and join in the family competition at the end of the event. The biggest ostrich farm in France - Autruches de la Saudraye 2km south of Guidel in the Morbihan. 02 98 96 75 86. 40 hectare site with ostriches and emus, farm shop. Ty Theatre - puppets and clowns in a countryside setting at St Cadou, near Goesnac'h. 02 98 54 63 31 Bowling, pool tables and indoor games at Master Bowling de Quimper 02 98 53 09 59. 59 Rue du Président Sadate, ZA de Creac'h Gwen (Kérogan), 2km south of Quimper centre, on the Bénodet road. Peninsula Labyrinthe, on the Crozon Peninsula, 4km south west of Morgat on the road to the Pointe de Dinan – a wooden maze, fun for all ages.
Language: The Breton language is, it is estimated, only spoken by between 400,000 and 800,000 people nowadays. Here are some of the words you may come across, with their meanings: (lots of the words will be familiar to Welsh speakers) Aber = estuary, armor = sea, bihan = little, bloavez mad = Happy New Year, Breizh = Brittany, dol = table, du = black, gwenn = white, hir = long, lann = heath, men = stone, menez = mountain (rounded), parc = field, plou = parish, roc'h = ridge, ty = house, wrach = witch. Transport - link to Travel page
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