Events & Festivals in Brittany in January

Digging into the past

For 20 years now, archeological research has been taking place at Mez Notario, located at the center of the Isle of Ouessant. The site and the dig have been managed by Jean-Paul Le Bihan, director of the Finistère Center for Archeological Research (CRAF), which called upon 400 professional and civilian diggers to help bring to light some amazing finds about the origins of Ouessant.

The Armoric Regional Natural Park and the CRAF have organized an exhibit which retraces the history of the digs at Mez Notario to be presented at the Museum of "Phares and Balises." Numerous objects plus articles from the planning stages and several models will be on display. Visitors will be able to easily reconstruct the history of this fascinating island with the materials to be presented. A project that took 20 years to bring to the surface!

Go green.

At the very heart of the Côte de Granit Rose, in the communes of Trégastel and Perros-Guirec, the Traouïero are two deep valleys: the Grand and the Petit Traouïero, through each of which runs a stream that ends its course in the natural harbour of Ploumanac'h.
A network of signposted paths pionts the way through this designated Breton natural heritage site.

Fun and relaxation!

Pony rides, lessons by the hour or courses, preparation for federation examinations, voltige, driving and outings, trekking: a whole range of horse-riding activities for all ages and all levels: equestrians, push your limits; beginners, enjoy a new experience!
Walks through the countryside and on the beaches, through a landscape of a thousand secrets.

Potée bretonne, galettes and delicious crêpes.

Children's playground, Shetland pony stud farm (pony rides in the afternoon), pedalos, valley walk, craft shops, flea market (books, old crockery, ornaments, etc.): the parents and four children of the Lamour family invite you to discover local traditions and history.
Also on offer: home-made cider, home-made rhubarb jam, local honey, chouchenn (mead), apple juice and a range of sweet treats.

Rural history for the cityfolk…

The agricultural tour provided by the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes is an introduction to the history of Breton farming. As you make your way along, take the opportunity to admire the plant collections and learn about which crops were farmed over the centuries, which are obsolete, and which are mass-produced today. One of the aims of the museum and this guided tour is to ensure the survival of certain plant species.

The orchard, where over a hundred apple varieties are grown, is particularly impressive.

Retrace the history of art.

Like most of France's museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rennes dates from the Revolution. Founded in 1794 with works confiscated from the town's religious and civil buildings, the museum nonetheless owes the bulk of its collections to the magnificent "cabinet of curiosities" of Christophe-Paul de Robien (1698-1756), President of the Breton Parliament.
From La Femme entre les deux âges (16th century) by Saint-Luc de Heemskerck to contemporary art, the museum also houses an Egyptian archaeological collection (bronzes, ceramics, etc.), an exceptional collection of drawings, and a collection of engravings.

The contemporary art collection focuses on two main areas: artists with Breton roots, such as the Affichistes, and the various currents in abstract art from Sam Francis to Aurélie Nemours.

History or gardening?

At the gateway to Dinan, the small commune of Languenan lies at the extreme eastern end of the Val d'Arguenon.
Les Jardins Associatifs, a magnet for all keen gardeners, is a vast educational project that seeks to encourage children into closer contact with nature.
In the choir of the church of Saint-Jacques, built in 1846, note the heavily-worked Baroque high altar and the gilded wooden baldaquin, both listed as historic monuments in 1969.

See also the 18th century polychrome wooden statues representing Saint Anne, Saint Jacques and the Virgin Mary.

A treat for book-lovers.

Old bindings, the smell of paper, out-of-print or little-known works... There are so many rare finds to be made at book markets where every reader, from the neophyte to the bookworm, can hope to stumble upon his heart's desire.

Shop inside an architectural masterpiece.

Architect Jean-Baptiste Martenot was responsible for the two market halls in the Place des Lices.
The two constructions are the very quintessence of 19th century metallic architecture.

They lend themselves perfectly to exhibitions as well as to events like the Marché des Lices, recognised as the 3rd biggest market in France.

A writer's whole life in this house.

Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was born in a late 16th century/early 17th century half-timbered Breton house. The street front facade is two storeys high and corbelled.
While the author spent only the first fifteen years of his life here, he never parted with the house and continued to spend his holidays here.

The interior has been designed to recreate the presence of Renan as a child, as a teenager and as a famous writer: it contains the room where he was born, with its granite fireplace and box-bed, the schoolboy's room under the eaves with a little desk, and also a reconstitution of Renan's study at the Collège de France.

Bring your friends.

Spend an evening with friends here, and you won't regret it! If only for the amazing "Chien Fou" cocktail (strawberry cordial, vodka, Tabasco) served in a shot glass, or the famous "Verre Vert" (green glass) consisting of Get 27, vodka and Perrier). The beer list is impressive, too, and the English pub atmosphere makes for a relaxing evening.
The music tends towards rock'n'roll, and lots of regulars enjoy a game of table football or two. An upstairs room is available for functions and concerts.

Adults only.

The Ile de Rhodes night-club is open all year round.
Open since 1964 on a tiny, winding back-street, its charming hostesses stage adult shows (ballets, sexy shows, music, dance, etc.). A legendary address for a hot night out in Rennes!

Join the Thursday night skate-in in Rennes!

Beginners, professionals or amateurs, strap on your roller-skates for a night-time ride through the streets of Rennes. The perfect combination of exercise and fun!
Zip through the city with a huge crowd of like-minded skaters, and share in the dynamic, friendly atmosphere.
Watch out for the first drops of rain, though; the evening is cancelled in the event of rain.

Exploring the heritage of religion.

Rosporden and its environs is dotted with fine churches and chapels ideally suited for a delightful round of visits.
First is the church of Notre-Dame de Rosporden, on the banks of the first lake. This listed church dates from the 14th century. The interior contains a very fine retable and a large painting of the Assumption by Nicolas Loir.
Next is the chapel of St-Eloi which stands on the ancient Roman road from Cascadec to Locmaria, then the church in the small town of Kernével, the Moustoir chapel, also in Kernével, the chapel of Locjean and, finally, the little chapel of Sainte-Yvonne, dating from 1706.

To your bagpipes!

Ty Anna Tavern welcomes you to its Breton den for a session of local music.
Amateur and professional artists play Celtic music every Wednesday in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. A good night out is on the cards.

Natural local flavours!

Quimper, one of the key towns of Finistère, offers a splendid range of markets.
Connoisseurs of Breton produce will appreciate the best of Brittany's vegetables like the cauliflower, as well as salty Breton caramels for those with a sweet tooth...

Place Charles de Gaulle: before and after.

You can admire this exhibition for the whole duration of the renovation period. This outdoor exhibit is dedicated to the historical evolution of the place Charles de Gaulle, but also to the soon-to-be renovated esplanade signed urban planner Nicolas Michelin.

You might be interested to know that this major square had four different names since its foundation, or that it was actually bombed during World War II.

The six display panels will showcase the various renovations projects for the esplanade which will become a huge entertainment centre with a multi-screen cinema, underground parking lot, a completely renovated Liberté, a Youth Centre and a Welcoming Centre for students and foreign academics.

Try out an organic market with 100% natural products.

As you stroll around the Sainte-Thérèse quarter, try some of the organic products for their quality and taste.

The Sainte-Thérèse market is sure to be selling its famous artichokes and cauliflowers and, if you happen to be there at the right time of year, maybe even the famous Coco de Paimpol white beans.

Let the magic of the place do its work.

A coastline of contrasts and harmony, the Côte de Granit Rose runs from Trébeurden to Perros-Guirec.
The coppery-pink hue of its granite, the depth of colours in the ever-changing ocean and the magic of the scenery make this an extraordinary stretch of coastline.
The sea seems to orchestrate a symphony of colours; it carves the outlines of the shore and carries you away with its wild beauty through a history and a culture anchored deep in men's souls. The Ploumanac'h lighthouse, standing out at sea surrounded by standing stones and menhirs, will light your way as you go.

Inspired by a learned Scotsman.

The museum's earliest collections are owed to a learned Scotsman by the name of James Miln.
The furniture and the archaeological treasures discovered at Carnac are for the most part presented in the Musée de la Préhistoire.
Visitors will follow the adventures of mankind from the Old Stone Age (450,000 years ago) to the Gallo-Roman period (4th century B.C.), by way of the Neolithic period when the megaliths were erected. A total of 6,600 exhibits are on display.

Attacking the Tour Solidor!

The Solidor Tower at Saint-Servan houses the Saint-Malo Museum's collection on this theme.
Numerous models, ship's instruments and objects, made by mariners during their long voyages or brought back as souvenirs of distant shores, fire the imagination with images of extraordinary voyages on the great sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th century that carried cargoes of nitrates from Chile, wood and grain from California or Australia, nickel from New Caledonia, etc.

The "Solidor Tower" is in fact a fortified structure that originally consisted of a small guard-tower, the existing bastion which incorporates sections of Gallo-Roman masonry, and the three towers connected by curtain walls to the main body of the fortress.
Work on building the fortified keep began between 1369 and 1382, on the orders of Duke Jean IV of Brittany as a means of controlling the town of Saint-Malo, recalcitrant to his authority.

Ideal for walkers.

The valley of the Arguenon makes Plorec-sur-Arguenon and Pléven favourite centres for lovers of walking, fishing and countryside holidays.
A number of footpaths have been marked out along the lake of La Ville Hatte, leading through varied landscapes.
Admire the dam, built in 1973, retaining some 12 million cubic metres of water.
The lake is 17km long, and extends to the commune of Jugon-les-Lacs.
The dam supplies water to around fifteen water towers, providing drinking water for many of the communes in the region.
In the church of Saint-Pierre, note the extremely fine 15th century font and the recumbent figure of a lady of Plorec.
Also of note is the polychrome wood statue of Saint Roch, dating from the 16th century.

Cultural outing.

La Cohue is an ancient mediaeval hall of imposing dimensions in which the museum displays its well-stocked collection of paintings.
These collections, further enriched by a number of works on loan, take the visitor on a journey that is both familiar yet constantly renewed.

Light in the landscape, that ceaseless quest of the artist, is the common theme of 19th and 20th century painting.
Figurative salon landscapes and abstract compositions hang side by side and speak visually to one another, reaffirming a continuity of inspiration.

In the 19th century, painters began experimenting with outdoor painting.
Little by little, light begins to dissolve the subject and lead towards abstraction.
This progress towards modernity can be traced through the works of Elodie La Villette, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet, Jean Le Moal and Geneviève Asse.

Stones ancient beyond belief.

Dating from some 6,000 years ago, the megalithic site at Carnac is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. Around 3,000 menhirs (standing stones) are aligned over an area of 40 hectares and a distance of 4 kilometres.
The Kermario, Le Menec, Kerlescan and Petit Menec (La Trinité-sur-Mer) alignments, which together form the Carnac site, represent one of the first monumental stone structures in Europe.
Plans are under way to redevelop the site to improve facilities for visitors, to enhance the landscaping and architectural qualities of the site and, by creating pedestrian and cycle paths, to open up new ways of visiting the monument.

Jazz time.

The club's reputation as a friendly venue for aspiring musicians extends well beyond Rennes, making it a meeting-place for jazz musicians from near and far. In addition to its regular jam sessions based on jazz classics, the club organises a series of theme evenings throughout the year (Wayne Shorter, free jazz, big band, jazz vocals, etc.) as well as numerous events open to all, at special rates for members.

Birthplace of Chateaubriand.

Bourseul, a tiny commune between Plancoët and Jugon-Les-Lacs, is where Appoline de Bédée and René Auguste de Chateaubriand, parents of the famous French writer François René de Chateaubriand, were married and lived for some years at the Manoir de la Boitardais.
Here you may visit Le Moulin du Pont Loyer: living witness to the crafts of the past, the mill is powered by the waters of the River Arguenon.
400 metres upstream, a mill pond was created by building a small dam some 25 metres long with a set of sluices adding another 5 metres or so. The mill pond supplied water to the mill by diverting water from the river into an artificial channel known as a mill race (bief, in French).
A little further on, the Château de Beaubois, restored and largely rebuilt in the 19th century, and its grounds make an authentic setting well worth a visit.
Through the grounds of some 200 hectares there runs a Roman road. The private chapel of Our Lady at Beaubois, built between 1886 and 1888 and consecrated on 16 September 1890, can be seen from the road that runs nearby.

A wildfowl reserve.

Off Perros-Guirec, the archipelago of the Sept Iles (seven islands) makes up the largest wildfowl reserve in France.
The archipelago is home to 27 species of nesting bird including 13 species of sea bird, making a total of over 20,000 nesting pairs.

The seven islands are Rouzic, Malban, les Costans, Bono, l'Ile-aux-Moines, l'Ile-Plate and Le Cerf.
This group of rocky islets has been a protected site since 1912 and was designated a nature reserve in 1977.
Imagine hundreds of Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, European Shags, Razorbills, Common Guillemots, Northern Fulmars, Great Black-backed gulls, Herring gulls and Lesser Black-backed gulls nesting in hollows in the rocks.
The island of Rouzic is home to France's only colony of Northern Gannets.

For walkers with a sense of curiosity.

Follow this route along Rue de Rimbernin to the Manoir du Tertre (privately owned) and the Passage des Druides with its outcrop of granite boulders.
The Kertugal nature trail crosses the GR 34 footpath which leads to Saint-Marc's cove and the chapel of Saint-Marc, rebuilt in the 18th century.
After crossing the wood and alley of Le Palus, you will come to the church of Saint-Colomban (18th century) opposite which lie the grounds of the Château de Pommorio (privately owned).

A taste for the authentic.

Tuesday late afternoon is organic market day in Dol de Bretagne. All those who love truly healthy fruit and vegetables, often smaller than usual because not artificially swollen with water but tasting the way fruit and vegetables used to taste, will find a wide selection of organic food products guaranteed free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or additives.

Go walking in the woods...

In the centre of Tréveneuc, leave your car in the main square.
Admire the town hall, its turret tower giving it the air of a small castle, and the 17th and 18th century church.
Much of the construction of the church was the work of local craftsmen over a ten-year period (1743 to 1754).
Walk past the fornt of the church and leave the town, admiring on your left the lovely facade of the Château de Pommorio (under construction in 1789).
The château and grounds are privately owned and not open to the public.
Near Perhemeno, head for the beach of Le Palus by a track through the woods.
Before reaching the beach, turn right onto the coastal path recently reopened along the cliff tops, which will take you to the beach at Port-Goret (picnic tables), then on to the Pointe du Bec de Vir (orientation table and outstanding view over the Bay of Saint-Brieuc from Bréhat to Cap Fréhel), and finally to Saint-Marc's cove.
The cove offers moorings (for 50 boats), an oyster-farm (buy your oysters here) and the famous 18th century chapel.
Follow the road and then a series of tracks to a high point for a panoramic view over Tréveneuc, the sea and Kertugal in Saint-Quay-Portrieux.
The sunken lanes, reopened for walkers, offer a sight of agricultural activities, and the Mauretour Calvary.
Continue through the woods of Plouha into Kerdrape.

Try out an organic market with 100% natural produce.

As you stroll around the Sainte-Thérèse quarter, try some of the organic products for their quality and taste.

The Sainte-Thérèse market is sure to be selling its famous artichokes and cauliflowers and maybe even the famous Coco de Paimpol white beans.

Follow in the footsteps of a great explorer.

The museum, dedicated to Jacques Cartier, retraces the life and times of its former owner: his everyday life and his great expeditions.
It is housed in the Manoir de Limoëlou, in the Rothéneuf quarter, a building considered to be the ancestor of the malouinières, the mansions built by the shipping magnates of Saint-Malo.

Yesterday and today.

Calling all students! Thursday night is students' night at Le Pym's in Rennes!
Opt for the atmosphere of your choice: recent hits in the Planète room (house, commercial dance, R'n'B) or an 80s feel in the Club, with funk & disco and French pop.
Admission free before 1 a.m. on presentation of a student card!

Long before Obélix.

On the Kernéléhen peninsula in Finistère-Nord, the Barnenez cairn (a large tumulus) is one of the earliest traces in Europe of construction using permanent materials. The gigantic megalith dates from the Neolithic period, which saw the first appearance of polished stone, animal husbandry and farming in Europe.
On the crown of a hill overlooking the Channel, this curious construction from the dawn of time is remarkable for its elongated shape and for its age, somewhere between 4,500 and 3,500 B.C. The long corridors leading to the funerary chambers may be interpreted as funerary spaces or for purposes of initiation.
The sheer size of the monument is intriguing: 72 metres long, some 20 to 25 metres wide at different points, and 9 metres in height. Added together, the stones represent a volume of between 6,500 and 7,000 cubic metres and a weight of 12 to 14,000 tonnes.
In reality, it is made up of two juxtaposed cairns, saved at the very last minute from destruction in 1955. The stone is decorated with figures of idols carved inside shields, carved signs forming V shapes and knapped axe-heads. The monument has also yielded up a number of flints, pottery shards and polished axe-heads.

Where kids are treated like royalty!

Parents and children all want their holidays together to be a success and a source of unforgettable happy memories.

A family holiday resort must be in a position to offer absolutely everything to make that possible: suitable accommodation for families, activities to suit different ages, fun and entertainment for all, and a wide range of facilities in an environment that must be not only attractive (naturally!) but also safe.
Station Kid resorts, in association with the Ministry for Tourism which supports the association's projects, are committed to this vision, and have agreed to a strict charter with six key checkpoints : welcome, facilities, events and entertainment, activities, environment and safety.
Communes which qualify receive the award for a period of three years. The award is made only to communes that pursue a real policy of welcoming children aged between 3 and 12 and their families.

As a result, everything is in place to ensure that children have a fantastic time with their parents, who can feel relaxed and secure.
On the programme: sports, walks, fun learning activities, games and competitions and shows for all the family to enjoy.

A tribute to valiant men.

Continuing its task of showcasing the Citadelle de Port-Louis, the Musée National de la Marine decided to create a new section, unique in France, dedicated to the extraordinary history of sea rescue.

Courage, self-denial, discretion, modesty... there is no lack of words of praise to heap on these men who, down the years, have risked their lives to save others.
Coxswains, second coxswains and crewmen have handed down their stories, and today's lifeboat men keep the tradition alive, united in the face of the universal danger, the pitiless perils of the sea.
The terrifying sight of storm conditions on the rocky coastline of Brittany or elsewhere compels each of us to ask ourselves, in our heart of hearts: would I have dared?

From the earliest days of sea-rescue under sails and oars to today's search and rescue helicopters, human courage is honoured in the precious mementoes of lifeboat crews, in touching pictures and photographs, model boats and specialised equipment.
Supplemented by archive pictures, films and sound recordings, the entire presentation centres on a striking exhibit: the Commandant Philippes de Kerhallet lifeboat (1897), the last survivor of its kind.

In the very heart of Brittany, which has known so many maritime disasters, the 350m² of the new citadel exhibition rooms, Naufrages et Fraternités, l'Univers de la mer (shipwrecks and brotherhood, the world of the sea), dedicated to sea rescue, pay a more than well-earned tribute to the dedication of the unsung sailor heroes who, as true men of the sea, seek no glory for themselves.

History and heritage at your feet.

Take the Sentier des Douaniers footpath to begin the circuit along Casino beach, la Grève noire, la Grève de l'Isnain, until you come to Rue de la Source, which you follow up to the Saint-Quay fountain.
Take a right along the Boulevard du Littoral, then left along the Rue des Grèves.
At the roundabout, take a right along Rue Pierre-Loti, then immediately left into Rue Théodore Botrel; continue until you reach Rue des Landes.
Turning right, you will come upon the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde then double back down the Rue des Landes to the D 786 road (be very careful when crossing) and follow Rue de la Garenne to the crossroads: turn left and you will reach the Moulin Saint-Michel, with a magnificent view over Saint-Quay Portrieux and the whole of the bay.
From Rue du Tertre-Breton, after a few steps, go down Rue de la Fontaine and turn right into Rue des Banches. Take a left onto the GR 34 footpath: continue to the Château de Calan (now the KerMoor Hotel) and its oriental style, and the "Viking" memorial stone.

Visit the Château de Quintin and its permanent collections.

Two chateaux for the price of one in the same park, in the centre of the characterful town of Quintin. An unfinished 17th century chateau, listed as an historic monument, and an 18th century chateau, also listed.
The base of the 17th century chateau, the richly furnished apartments of the 18th century chateau, the former kitchens (including a granite kitchen-garden of extraordinary size), the permanent collections of china, glassware, silverware, trinkets, christening robes and fans are open all year round.

Monumental granite sculptures.

François Breton has been creating monumental sculptures for almost 15 years. He splits the stone with a punch and leaves the rough form as it stands.
Then he hacks away with a spike until a human form begins to emerge, and this gives rise to the Ankou.
He is undoubtedly expressing a pitiful and highly contemporary vision of human nature: torturing and tortured.
Painter, fresco painter, decorator, restorer of old manor houses or stone-carver, the artist uses any and every pretext for creation.
His works inclulde a totem representing the Great Bear or Big Dipper, the constellation that guided the sailors of Saint-Malo to the New World, a sculpture with presence detectors that replays an acoustic and visual memory of the visitor, images of combats between man and the superior forces of nature.

All these works are created in the hope that the viewer will derive as much pleasure from them as the artists did from making them.

Between land and sea.

This magnificent path follows the steep coastal cliffs to explore the coastline and the magnificent turn of the century mansions such as the orientally inspired "Kermoor", before intersecting with the GR 34 footpath for a distance of 5.5km along the coast, on land belonging to the commune.
Le Portrieux, where the first infrastructure work on the bay was carried out, saw the first schooners setting off for the Newfoundland fishing grounds in 1612.
Wallk along Portrieux beach to the roundabout and take the steps that lead up to a magnificent panoramic view of the Port d'Armor, the only deepwater harbour between Cherbourg and Brest, and also over La Comtesse beach and the island of the same name, accessible on foot at low tide.
At the Pointe du Sémaphore, the orientation table identifies key landmarks out to sea, from Bréhat to Cap Fréhel, with an overview of: the plateau of the Iles Saint-Quay, 10km long and 3km wide, as well as Ile Harbour, easily recognised by its house and lighthouse.
Continue along the beaches of Châtelet, Casino and La Grève Noire, the Pointe de l'Isnain and the Grève Gicquel beneath the rock of Gerbot d'Avoine, then the Saint-Quay fountain commemorating the arrival of the evangelising saint, and on to the Pointe du Romeur marking the limit between the communes of Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Tréveneuc.
View over the cove of Saint-Marc and the 18th century chapel.

Fresh-caught for your pleasure.

Forget for a moment crêpes and galettes with Breton butter, and turn your attention to seafood and the catch of the day.
Scallops make a fine seafood dish, for example. The Côte de Granit Rose serves up some of the very finest of all that the sea has to offer, and your visit to Trébeurden will certainly not leave a bitter taste in your mouth!

13 centuries of farming history.

South of Rennes at the farm of la Bintinais, the Ecomuseum features exhibits on the history of Rennes and also serves as an observatory of ancient breeds of animals that have been preserved.
Lovingly restored, the farm recounts five centuries of the region's history through costumes, tools, farming equipment and reconstituted rooms (kitchens, larder).

The wonderful world of shells.

The Maison du Littoral, which stands at the heart of this natural site looking out to the Pors Kamor lighthouse, offers an insight into the Côte de Granit Rose through its exhibitions and explanations of nature.
For children: workshops to learn how to tie sailors' knots, a "touch and learn" house full of minerals and a light-table display on local flora.
There is also a model explaining place names along the channel leading to Ploumanac'h harbour.

A history of names.

Between 1224 and 1428, the commune was known variously as: Trévenech, Trévenoc, Trévenec and finally Trévéneuc.
It takes its name from Saint-Guthénoc, otherwise spelt as: Guezenec, Guennec, Venec, Veneuc, Venoc.
This name in turn comes from the jeu du crapaud, the toad in the hole game, no doubt made from wood and painted red.
The game involved pitching a two-sou coin into a slot, the mouth of the toad. The first player to succeed would win all the other coins that missed the target. The inhabitants of Tréveneuc were apparently much given to playing this game, hence their nickname of the "red toads".

Main places of interest to visit:
church of Saint-Colomban: traces of an original 14th century building remain in the south wall of the present church;
Château de Pommorio: dating from the 18th century, aligned with the church of Saint-Colomban, surrounded by gardens gradually recovering from the ravages of the great storm of 1987 ;
Le Palus: the "Palus" foreshore takes its name from the Breton word "Palud", meaning marsh". The line of pebbles washed up by the sea prevents the stream from flowing normally, creating a marshy area where reeds grow;
Port-Goret: the name is Breton in origin: Gored means "a fishery with a dam". The remains of the dam can still be seen on the foreshore now known as "Port-Goret".

A striking symbol of Binic as it once was.

Along the busy quays, stroll through the market among a relaxed, easygoing crowd. A vivid market, with plenty of local colour on its picturesque stalls.
In season, anything up to 200 market traders are to be found here on a Thursday morning, selling regional specialities and fresh produce.
In addition to its picturesque side, the market is also a centuries-old setting for trade.
Since the 16th century, its strategic position and maritime history have made Binic a byword in the history of fairs and markets.
Goods of all sorts would once have been on sale here: the products of sea and land, of trade and merchant shipping.
Several fairs were held at a fixed date each year.
As early as the Revolutionary period, Binic market was always held on a Thursday morning.
At the same time, Binic became one of France's leading fishing ports.
Beyond a doubt, the market is a favourite meeting-place for the people of Binic, but also for all those who like to stroll around the market stalls.

Perfect for an aperitif or a digestif!

Once you climb the nine steps leading up to this building dating from 1737, you'll find yourself in one of Rennes' cosiest bars. Every attention has been paid to the decoration for a slightly Latino setting, with Louis XVI armchairs and exposed beams against deep red walls.
Every day a different cocktail is on offer, often based on jam or fresh fruit, but you can also choose from the list of Cuban cocktails that are a speciality of the house: mojito and pina colada. There is a special themed evening every month, with a different theme every time, but the prevailing musical style is electro.

Explore Saint-Malo's rich and varied past.

Since 1927, the main castle keep has housed the collections of the Municipal Museum that became the city's Museum of History after renovation by the French Historic Monuments department in 1950.

This massive horseshoe-shaped tower was built from 1424 onwards on the orders of Duke Jean V of Brittany.
It rises to a total height of 35 metres.
The Museum was extended in 1988 by a further three exhibition rooms created in the Tour Générale and is scheduled for yet another extension into the Quic-en-Groigne tower and the Petit Donjon.
The history of Saint-Malo and its maritime tradition begins with shipbuilding and the opening up of the Newfoundland fishing grounds, the region's two main activities in the 19th and 20th centuries.