9 SPOTS TO SHARE
FROM CONCARNEAU TO PONT-AVEN
Let yourself be told about the thousand and one wonders of a territory between land and sea! From the ancient fortifications of the Closed City of Concarneau to the artistic revival of the Pont-Aven School, via the thatched cottages of Névez and the standing stones of Trégunc, a unique architectural heritage in France, take the time to discover the charms and history of our cities. Enjoy the joys of the beach, sea walks, fishing and more... Breathe the sea air along the famous customs officers' path which runs along our preserved coastline. If you dream of waves and spray you will be spoiled for choice! Set off to discover the trails and hollow paths during a hike. For cycling enthusiasts, cycling routes and greenways are ideal places to discover the landscapes of our countryside. Open your eyes, savor, live intensely the multiple experiences on the path From Concarneau to Pont-Aven!
CONCARNEAU - City of art and History
Concarneau is suitable for all weathers: medieval fortifications rub shoulders with the corniche where seaside architecture flirts with the ocean. La Ville Close, an ancient stronghold of Brittany, bathes its imposing ramparts in the calm waters of the fishing and marina ports every day. An island nestled in a cove, the Ville Close is the cradle of Concarneau: its existence has been documented since the end of the 11th century. Having become too cramped, the city will develop on the nearby banks. A defensive city, the Closed City is surrounded by granite ramparts 2.5 m to 3 m wide, nine towers and is pierced by three gates. It houses the oldest dwellings in the city, houses with granite gables lining the narrow streets rub shoulders with half-timbered houses, shops with sculpted lintels or chapels converted into living spaces. Today, to access it, only one old drawbridge on the suburb side is open to traffic, mainly pedestrian. A water bus, the small ferry, connects Ville Close to Passage, an old fishing district. The bay of Concarneau has been the training basin for great offshore racing skippers for decades. Strolling along the quays means having the chance to see the most prestigious ships: “Figaro”, “IMOCA” or “Classe 40”… Land of sailors, Concarneau is the favorite meeting place for amateurs boating. The left bank is home to shipyards where the yachts and sailboats of the future will come out, prototypes ready for the Vendée Globe or the Volvo Ocean Race!
PONT-AVEN - City of Painters
Nestled on the banks of the Aven, Pont-Aven never ceases to seduce its visitors with the charm of its streets, the richness of its artistic life and the sweetness of its famous butter pancakes! From a commercial town ensuring the transport of goods between sea and river, Pont-Aven secured the title of City of Painters in the 19th century by becoming the preferred vacation spot for a colony of painters. These artists will make this little piece of Breton land known to the whole world and establish the artistic reputation of the city for a long time. Pont-Aven still perpetuates this tradition today and welcomes around sixty galleries and artists' studios within its walls.
NEVEZ - Betweens mills and cottages
Between long beaches of fine sand or small coves with turquoise waters, the most difficult thing will be to choose! Perfect for the whole family, discover the beaches of Dourveil, adored by children, Tahiti and its long stretch of pale sand, the intimate Rospico cove, or even Saint-Nicolas in Port-Manec'h and its bathing cabins so vintage! Close to the beaches and the customs path are the charming villages with thatched roof houses of Kerascoët and Kercanic. Reminiscent of a time when slate had not yet replaced rye straw, these houses sheltered families of sailors and weavers (15th century). These hamlets are real snapshots of Breton history and heritage, where time seems to have stood still.
ELLIANT - Melenig Country
Covering 7,000 hectares, the town of Elliant is an integral part of Cornwall and belongs to the country of Melenig tradition. Its history can be read as much in the stone of the chapels as in the green of the countryside. The imprint of the Jet valley which shaped it with its tributaries offers a privileged setting both for walks and for trout and salmon fishing. St Gilles Church in Elliant has the tallest bell tower in Cornwall. Curious little inhabitants have taken up residence there: horseshoe bats, a protected species of bat, live in colonies there and are subject to a census every year. To awaken the taste buds, the only Organic and AOP Cornouaille cider is produced at the Melenig cider house: lightly golden with its fruity aromas of apple, peach and honey, it will delight all fans! The cider house is located at a place called Quenehaye, near the Kerdevot chapel, and can be visited from Monday to Saturday in summer and Saturday out of season. A tasting will be offered to you during the visit. The traditional costume of Elliant is unique: its magnificent golden yellow embroidery has led the inhabitants of Elliant to be renamed “melenig”, from the Breton “melen”: yellow. This name was subsequently extended to the entire territory, which is today referred to as “Melenig country”.
ROSPORDEN - A green city
Three ponds form a nature hiking trail to discover the flora and fauna characteristic of wetlands. The free “Ecobalade” application downloadable from your smartphone will guide you within this particular ecosystem and allow you to identify the different animal and plant species. Starting in Concarneau, greenway No. 7 linking the English Channel to the Atlantic (147 km) passes through Rosporden. This route reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders was built on the old railway line of the Breton railway network and allows you to cross the whole of Finistère, without a motor!
TREGUNC - A big bowl of nature by the sea
A unique heritage specificity in France, the standing stones (or “Mein Zao” in Breton) stand out in the landscape of Névez and Trégunc, aligned as a fence or combined into a wall or lean-to. Coming from a long tradition of granite exploitation having found an original expression in these communes, these monolithic blocks sometimes reaching 2.70 m high were cut in order to free up agricultural land made necessary by the demographic boom of the 17th and 18th centuries. centuries. This local specificity has earned Névez and Trégunc the “Landscape of reconquest” label awarded by the Ministry of the Environment. It is also said in Trégunc that very strange creatures are hiding in the Kergunus wood... Surprising zoomorphic granite chaos punctuates the undergrowth: here a walrus, there a lizard, and even a spectacular "Head of the Elephant » ! What magic came to turn this exotic menagerie into stone? Many tales and legends are attached to these rocks, which a small forest path invites you to discover during a 2.5 km walk departing from the village. Want to know more? The Tourist Office offers guided tours every Thursday during the summer period. “Stones and Legends” guided tour. Departure at 10 a.m. from the Trégunc tourist information office. Duration: 2h30 For nature lovers, the Trévignon dunes and ponds ornithological reserve is a 300-hectare dune cord spread over 7 kilometers. Come and enjoy the calm and preserved beauty of this natural space, classified as a Natura 2000 zone, where shovelers and ring-necked plovers frolic. And to unlock all the secrets of this astonishing ecosystem, join one of the nature outings organized by the guides of the Bretagne Vivante association who will be able to communicate their passion for the biodiversity of the coastline to you!
MELGVEN - Remarkable chapels
As you walk through Melgven, you will inevitably cross the road to a chapel, an elegant Gothic figure watching over its hamlet or half hidden in the trees... Admire the fine lace of the Trinity Chapel and its rare representation of the theme of Compassion du Père, take a detour to the Saint-Antoine chapel and take the opportunity to discover the protohistoric stele nearby, go hiking on the paths from the Coat An Poudou chapel or visit a summer exhibition at the Bonne-chapel New ! If you want a touch of adrenaline during your vacation, Adrénature is there for you. In its 10 hectare forest, wander from branch to branch and up to 27 meters high for the highest point! The most daring can even try the Quick Jump, a big jump 20 m high for a 6 m free fall! Sixteen courses, 2000 m of zip line and 250 workshops are offered with varying height and difficulty.
TOURC'H - A village of producers
Very close to Quimper (22km) the town of Tourc’h borders the Aven river which has its source in the neighboring town of Coray. Five hiking trails are offered to pedestrians, mountain bikers and horse riders to discover the village. In the heart of the town of Tourc’h, the Gothic Saint-Cornély church was built at the end of the 15th century. Its bell tower dates from 1726 and was restored in 1930. The entire church and its enclosure have been listed as Historic Monuments since 1944. Who said that gluttony was a bad fault? Certainly not visitors to Tourc’h, a rural town a few kilometers from Concarneau and Pont-Aven: this place is full of delicious smells and flavors! In Tourc’h you will find the opportunity to taste all the Breton specialties: crepes, Breton cakes and other sweets, know-how in pure tradition. Local and natural ingredients are selected with the greatest respect for the terroir.
ST-YVI - In the heart of nature
As you walk through the village of Saint-Yvi, you will have the chance to admire, on the plasterwork of the Notre-Dame church, its remarkable calvary with a twisted shaft, its centuries-old yew trees and its admirable ossuary. Further into the countryside, don't miss the mysterious chapel of Locmaria-An-Hent, also called Notre Dame de la Source. Classified as a Historic Monument, it was one of the stages of the Tro Breizh, the famous Breton pilgrimage route. A few meters from the chapel stands a very beautiful ossuary with trefoiled arcades. In Saint Yvi, a short distance south of the village, there is a beautiful hill at the top of which nestles a hamlet prettily named “Là-Haut”. Perched at 168m above sea level, you will discover a wide panorama going from the tip of Trévignon to the Saint-Corentin cathedral of Quimper via the Ville Close of Concarneau! When the sky is sufficiently clear, this viewpoint offers a splendid view of the Glénan archipelago on the horizon.