Dear vacationners, you should know that the Morbihan’s charm isn’t limited by the town of Carnac ! Here is 4 cities (big ones and small ones) to visit during your holidays in Britanny.
La Trinité-sur-Mer (5km or 3 miles from Carnac) in Quiberon bay
This pretty little town will enchant you with its charming marina. The Kerisper Bridge will allow you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole city and the salt marshes of Kervilen will give you a good dose of iodized air. You will be close to some megalithic sites (such as Petit Ménec menhirs). Finally, the town has several beaches of fine sand and offers many nautical activities.
The Ria d’Etel and Saint-Cado Island (15km or 9 miles from Carnac)
Ria d’Etel is a real natural curiosity. It is a large underwater sandbank that is located at the entrance of the river, near the sea. This sandbank creates some pretty impressive swirls and had created some small islands. The most emblematic might be the Nichtarguer one, that have a small fisherman’s house on it.
There is also a nice romanesque chapel and a picturesque village on Saint-Cado island. Fishing on foot, small cruise on the Ria d’Etel and water sports are on the agenda!
Did you know that ?
There is a legend about the bridge that connect Saint-Cado Island to the continent. According to it, Saint Cado wanted to build a bridge in order to link the island to the rest of Britanny. But he couldn’t achieve it. One day, the devil appears and offers him a trade : he will construct the bridge in one night, in return of the soul of the first living creature that will cross the bridge. Saint Cado agreed and during the night, the devil built the bridge. In the morning, Saint Cado attracted a cat to cross the bridge. The cat’s soul was given to the devil who was angry but could not go back on his promise !
The town of Auray (15km or 9 miles from Carnac)
Whether you want to stroll through pretty little cobbled streets or feel the sea spray by taking a boat trip in the Gulf of Morbihan, Auray can offer you both! This town was an antic medieval town that could preserve its old-fashioned charm. The town also have a port that name is Saint Goustan Port. In 1776, the famous inventor and founding father of the USA, Benjamin Franklin has set foot on it. He was coming in France to ask help from the government in a way to gain the independance of the USA. Nowadays, a dock is named in his honor.
The city of Vannes (30km or 18.6 miles from Carnac)
The city of Vannes gets its first walls thanks to the romans. Then in the 13th century, a second city wall was built. Those walls were classified as historical monuments in 1958. At the foot of the towers of these fortifications, there is a beautiful park with French gardens. The Vannes’ marina is a perfect place to have a walk or relax. There is many bars and restaurants.
If you are a lover of medieval decorations, the historical center and especially the Henri IV square are made for you! You will be able to walk along the small cobbled streets and admire the half-timbered houses of the place. Finally, if it is nature that you likes, Vannes also has something to please you. The aquarium of Vannes will allow you to observe a magnificent marine fauna and the Butterfly Garden will allow you to admire a great diversity of butterflies and exotic plants. Finally, if you are a culture lover, the Vannes’s fine art Museum, the Hermine Castle and the Gothic Cathedral Saint-Pierre de Vannes will be happy to welcome you for a visit.
If you want more information about the towns and the city presented here you can go on the Bretagne Tourisme websites of La Trinité sur Mer, La Ria d’Etel et l’Île de Saint-Cado, Auray and Vannes.
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Photos credits :
Loïc KERSUZAN – Morbihan Tourisme for the pictures : Henry IV Square, Boats and sea on the sunset and Nichtarguer island
BERTHIER Emmanuel pour les photos : Vannes’ walls under the snow, Auray’s port and Saint-Cado island