For the Energetic

Morbihan offers a wealth of activites all within 45 minutes of the cottages. Cycling for all stages from the gentle towpaths beside the Blavet river, through quiet country lanes and villages to the more exacting marked trails. Walking: there are numerous well-marked paths through forests, along the coast and rivers. Fishing; all types of angling is catered for and daily or weekly permits are available. Go karting in Plumeliau, Auray and Lanester near Lorient. Horse riding stables can be found near Bieuzy les Eaux, Camors, Pontivy. A skateboarding park can be found in Hennebont. There is also Tree climbing in the Adventure forest at Camors it's a lot of fun for the fit and energetic.

Historic towns such as Pontivy, Auray, Vannes, Josselin and Quimper have retained much of their medieval character and are well worth a visit. Markets for fresh produce and local crafts are found each day of the week in local towns. Cottages will have details of specific days. Try also the craft village of La Gacilly and Pont Scorff. The list goes on… there are museums; zoos; working museums; restored villages like Poul Fetan; chateaux; pardons; fetes….

Golf

Places of Interest

Separating Morbihan from Côtes d’Armor is the Guerlédan lake with bathing, canoeing, water skiing and pedallos. To the north east is the Forest of Quénécan, the “Swiss Brittany”. With peaks rising only to 287 metres, the description is a little ambitious, but there are three lakes and some good marked walking trails.

A small, pretty town on the river, Auray's main attraction is its old quarters, particularly
St Goustan, with its narrow alleys and streets, lined with superbly preserved 15th century houses. See photo on the right.

The renaissance-gothic church of Saint Gildas should definitely be visited with its surrounding wood-faced houses, together with the St Esprit college. The Goélette Museum on the Quai Martin exhibits the history of St Goustan in a converted tunny fishing boat.

Once a week during July and August, there are evening performances of sea shanties and Breton songs. There is a weekly market on Mondays.

Vannes (see brightly coloured picture on the right) is a truly attractive town, hosted the 16th century summit when the Duchy of Brittany became united with France. Since then the old town, behind its ramparts, has remained more or less untouched.

As with many medieval towns, it is much better to park the car and walk around,
although the hordes of tourists in peak season can be off-putting. A guided tour from the tourist office is a good idea as there is so much to see.

Dinan (see photos on the left) is a walled town on the River Rance and retains a mass of its medieval features. The old town links to the port by the Rue Jeruzal which is a steep cobbled hill, surrounded by timbered buildings. It is possible to take boat rides up the River Rance from the Port and one can also hire small motor boats for a day out on the river. Every other year Dinan hosts the Fete de Remparts which is a Medieval Festival during which the town is turned over to street entertainers and the visitors and residents wear the costume of the time. Knights ride by on horses, musicians stroll the streets and medieval fayre is available at Dinan hostelries. The Thursday market is very much a country market and here you can buy items such as bread and organic vegetables through to live pigs and chickens. Visit the Maison de la Rance to find out about the history and wildlife of the River Rance. There is also the Railway Musuem which is open from June to mid September in the afternoons.

Josselin is a beautiful medieval town set on the river Oust, boasting a delightful château coupled with an excellent town square that offers many restaurants and cafes overlooking the Basilica de Notre Dame du Roncier. This place is well worth a special visit. Plan to spend a day here taking in the atmosphere in one of the cafes in the town square. If you can, visit in the middle of July for the medieval festival.