The everyday lives of sailors.

The Sailors' hostel of Le Guilvinec was built in 1910 on the initiative of Jacques de Thézac.
It was the first shelter of its kind, and fifteen others were built along the Breton coast afterwards. The Sailors' hostel welcomed sailors during the long winter months and organised many activities. It now houses the town's library. The original furniture, paintings and photographs remind us of this place's history.

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.

A church like a jewel.

Sainte-Anne church was built from 1887, after a collection organised by the fishing community of Le Guilvinec.
The architecture of the building is simple and austere. The church has a square steeple and shelters a rich religious heritage. Do not miss the stained glass windows or the tapestry by Abbé Morel.

A noble tower in Belle-Ile.

Also known as the Goulphar lighthouse, the Grand Phare de Kervilahouen was raised between 1826 and 1836. Culminating at 52 metres, the tip of the lighthouse is in total 87 metres from the sea level.

Made entirely from granite, the lighthouse covers the western coast, warning incoming vessels of dangerous reefs along the shoreline.

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".

Authenticity intact.

The Domaine de Kerazan estate was bequeathed to the Institut de France in 1928 by Joseph Astor, the last of an eminent Breton family.
The estate consists of a manor house surrounded by 5 hectares of parkland and a vast expanse of farmland and forests. The land is farmed and maintained in accordance with the wishes of the testator, who stipulated that it should be inalienable.

The manor stands in the Finistère département, halfway between Pont-l'Abbé and Loctudy and some twenty kilometres south-west of Quimper, in Cornouaille, part of the "Bigouden country".
The heart of the estate is the manor house itself, its commons and its park, and the adjoining farm of Grand Kerazan: this was the "big farm", occupied by the "big farmer".
The most striking aspect of the estate is its authenticity: the buildings have remained intact, the manor house retains all its furnishings and collections, as if Joseph-Georges Astor had left it only yesterday.

Perculiar architecture.

Formerly owned by the Derval family, the Kergoz Manor is an expansive lordly manor; today it is owned by the local municipality.

One of the assets of this structure is the pigeon house, dated to the 16th century, which is a listed Historic Monument. It was raised above the porch leading to the main entrance, a stunning part of the edifice flanked by two crenulated towers and dotted with Renaissance style windows.

A prehistoric worship site.

Built in the 19th century based on the plans of the old building, the Saint-Michel chapel is at the top of a tumulus built in the Neolithic period. From the tumulus and the orientation table, you will be able to view the town and surrounding area.

There is a 16th century calvary next to the chapel, and at the bottom of the tumulus is the Saint-Michel fountain, where women used to come to worship.

The delight of Breton religious architecture.

The small Saint-Jacques church, whose oldest parts date back to the 14th century was elevated to the status of parish church in 1880, because of the increasing number of faithful. However, the town was only founded in 1919.
The Saint-Jacques church is particularly charming, with its irregular plan. It shelters a wealth of liturgical furniture and nice works of art such as the painted statues and the paintings on the vault (Listed as a Historic Monument).

A commune tied to the sea.

Since as early as the Antiquity, the commune of Morgat has been turned to the sea. At first a mere sardine fishing port, Morgat became a favoured holiday destination in the 19th century, drawing bourgeois city-folk to the coast in search of peace and quiet. The city developed a great deal during this period and numerous bourgeois villas were raised there; the port was slowly transformed into a marina for sea-faring tourists.

Today still the port de Morgat welcomes leisure sailing enthusiasts and tourists by the busload. The fishing harbour has nevertheless maintained its authentic, traditional air and is a great place to get into fishing.

Town and sea.

The town's museum, the Seaside Museum, hosts a temporary exhibition every year, either on a theme or dedicated to one artist.

The permanent collections also retrace the history of Bénodet and its relationship with the sea. Nautical pleasure or sailing, those themes are discussed through objects and documents.

In the land of the irreducible Gauls.

The Park extends from the confines of the Côtes-d'Armor in the east to the Molène and Ouessant archipelago in the west.
There are two main components of the Park: one, land-based, covers the Monts d'Arrée massif. The other looks to the sea and encompasses the Ria de l'Aulne and the Crozon peninsula which separates the waters off Brest from the bay of Douarnenez.
The isles of Sein, to the south off Cap Sizun, and the Molène-Ouessant peninsula to the north, mark the western confines of the Park.

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).

Discovering the secrets of the menhirs.

This alignment is made up of 555 menhirs, in 13 lines. Raised along an east-west line, these menhirs cover 7.5 acres, despite it being the smallest site in Carnac. Although it is the smallest, the Kerlescan alignment is also the best preserved. It also includes a stone circle, made up of 39 stones.

History's last line of defense…

Starting from the Porte Saint-Thomas, your tour of the Saint-Malo Ramparts will take you across a string of fascinating heritage sites. Discover the Bidouane Tower, for example, a former gunpowder magazine; the Bastion de la Hollande ("Dutch Bastion"); the Grand'Porte with its machicolations; and the Porte Saint-Vincent, dated to the 18th century…

A richly decorated church.

Work was carried out in the 19th century, on the Sainte-Croix-de-Saint-Servan church which was build during the 18th century. Before entering the church, admire the facade with its portico and tower, both of which were added between 1833 and 1840, designed by the architect Julien Leclair.

Inside, you will discover the frescoes painted by Louis Duveau in the mid 18th century, as well as two organs located in the choir and the stand.

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.

A nice castle.

Located on the Beg er Lann headland "moorland point", the Turpault castle is the gateway to the Wild Coast.
This Anglo-medieval style manor house was built in 190 by a cloth industry industrialist from Cholet, Georges Turpault, who named it the "sea castle". It was then rechristened Turpault castle by the Quiberon inhabitants. It is a private property and cannot be visited.

Granite and Baroque.

The church of Saint-Raymond, which is built completely from granite, the archetypal Breton stone, was built between the 15th and 18th century.
Although its consecrated name refers to cardinal Raymond Nonnat, it is also a reference to the Patron Saint of Audierne, saint Rumon. Before entering the building, admire the high Baroque style steeple. It was built in 1631. Several areas of the church are covered in sculptures of boats.

Time to yourself.

As you gaze at the works on display, you wonder; perhaps you wish you had a better understanding of how an artist works? The Galerie du Triangle invites you to a privileged visit for a personal approach to the work.
Throughout the year, in the gallery and its light well, explore the full dimension of the exhibitions, installations and performances staged at the Triangle.

Caesar, its a Julius!

Also known as the Butte de César, the Tumiac Tumulus is, according to tradition, the place where Julius Caesar led the battle in 56 BC. Archaeological digs, which began in the 19th century, have found a closed cellar with engraved walls as well as hundreds of polished axes and approximately three hundred beads and pendants. These finds, which date back to the neolithic period, are a rare historic testimony to the past. Some of the objects are now in the Vannes museum.

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.

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.

Quiberon stories…

The ground floor of the Maison du Patrimoine, or "Heritage Centre", is dedicated to the history and prehistory of the Quiberon peninsula, and Quiberon during the Second World War. There are of course other displays, including "Quiberon Folk 200 Years Ago", "The 1833 Land Survey" and "Bretons in Quiberon".

The first floor of the museum will teach you all there is to know about regional traditional cuisine thanks to reconstituted scenes from 1900-era lifestyle and period costumes. The second floor deals with "Maritime Professions" and the history of shipwrecks and maritime culture from the early 20th century.

An inspiring place.

As you near this stunning Medieval residence, not far from the Trestringnel beach, you will notice its Neo-Medieval style dated to the 19th century. It was in fact the residence of painter Maurice Denis for almost 40 years.

This edifice of granite and rough-stone was in fact modified over the years, and yet it still retains the original charm that so enchanted Maurice Denis. The artist even decorated some parts of the house himself…

Neptune's bounty…

This museum was established to honour the world of sailors and their heritage. The museum's fascinating collections retrace the history of our time on the oceans from fishing to modern day leisure sailing.

The museum even boasts a display of actual ships, an homage to the work and culture of mariners throughout history.

The undying myth…

The Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur, Merlin… These names are central to many a myth and storytale.

This unusual institution, the Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurien, is dedicated to the myth of Arthur at every level, calling attention to any piece in any art form that connects to the mythology of King Arthur. Expect exhibitions, conferences and guided tours…

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.

Under the sun.

Cap-Coz, not far from the Fouesnant Forest, is a fine sandy beach at the tip of the bay. Often crowded with families and groups of friends, the beach offers a variety of things to do including a variety of nautical activities. Whether you want to relax or really let loose and get fit, this is the perfect place. By walking all the way up the beach and following a little trail, you will reach a small rocky island from which the view is simply exceptional.

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.

Vestiges that reach far back into history.

The most important Megalithic site on the peninsula is without a doubt the Kerbourgnec Alignments situated in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon. It is made up of a total of 25 sometimes oddly-shaped menhirs aligned in a sequence of five rows. Only a little further from this site, there is a "Cromlec'h" with a total of 27 menhirs placed in a circle - it is the third largest in the whole of Morbihan.

Museum and laboratory.

The Marinarium in Concarneau is a laboratory museum, exhibiting the work of researchers in the fields of marine life, the environment and marine resources.
The marinarium is housed in the world's oldest marine research station, built in 1859, which still features the original vivariums. The exhibition now on display recounts the scientific adventure of exploring the world of the sea: the first experiments in marine aquaculture, the identification of the many organisms that make up plankton, the discovery of potentially therapeutic compounds or new species of fish. The oceans cover two thirds of the total surface area of the Earth. Estimates suggest that the diversity of life forms in this ocean world is between 1,000 to 10,000 times greater than on land!

An architectural marvel.

After passing through Plancoët and describing a series of pleasing meanders at Saint-Lormel, the river Arguenon runs into the Channel at Port du Guildo, in the commune of Créhen.
This estuary is overlooked by the ruins of the old castle, known as the castle of Gilles de Bretagne.
There are a number of megaliths in the area and in a covered alley you will find what is undoubtedly the largest dolmen in the east of the département.
The alley, some 13 metres in length, is covered by five flat stones.
The castle must have been built over a fairly extended period.
From the preseent appearance of the ruins, it is likely that certain parts date from the 13th century.
The castle reached its present general form at the end of the 14th century or in the early 15th century.

A typical Breton work.

The Saint-André de Ploemel church was built between 1832 and 1845.
Inside, numerous liturgical objects and works of art from the town's old building. Amongst those objects, the Northern wing alter piece dated 1777. There is also a painting which depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, from the same period as the alter piece.
During the reconstruction of the church in the mid 19th century, part of the furniture was renewed and the new pieces were made by local artists.

A richly decorated chapel.

Under the entrance porch, before entering the chapel, admire the statues in painted wood which show the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne and the Apostles.

Once inside, discover the 15th century font, with its Sculpted Moorish heads. The building also shelters boat-shaped votives, which shows the devotion and fervour of sailors to Notre-Dame-de-la-Clarté.

Over 2,000 years of history...

Corseul is the oldest town in the département. Founded in around the year 10 B.C., capital of the Coriosoliti, an Armorican tribe, Corseul offers an introduction to Gallo-Roman civilisation in Armorica through some of its ancient remains.
1.5km from the centre, on the Dinan road, an ancient wall some ten metres high bears witness to Courseul's importance in remote times.
Before this wall of the cella, the room in which the stature of the divinity used to stand, there once stretched a vast expanse of buildings, covering over a hectare and surrounding a vast closed courtyard where the faithful come to pray at the temple would gather.
Mars was probably the deity worshipped in this sanctuary but no inscription has been discovered that would provide absolute proof.

As you will see, the ancient town of Fanum Martis (Corseul) was organised around a network of streets covering over 100 hectares, crossing at right angles and delineating quarters, each with its own activity: urban dwellings, shops and businesses, temples, baths, etc. Near the present-day town hall, archaeologists have unearthed an entire commercial complex in the main street of the town, lined by a gallery of porticoes. The site, which goes by the name of Monterfil, has now been reconstructed.

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.

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).

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.

Land Ahoy!

The famed Port du Crouesty is quite literally the largest marina in Brittany, an expansive complex made up of different basins and countless docks.

Situated at the tip of the Rhuys peninsula, the Crouesty harbour is a favoured destination for leisure-sailors and boasts some of the most modern infrastructure available.

History and architecture.

When worked on the reconstruction of the citadel, from 1683, he put all his talent into the building that has become the symbol of Belle-Ile-en-Mer.
A proud and imposing monument, the citadel protects the history of the town with its stones. Follow the moats and cross the central place, history is there, you can feel it under every step. Now it is a cultural centre with a museum, and the citadel hosts many events.