EXPLORE
THE "VILLE CLOSE"
Enter into the Ville Close is to immerse yourself in the heroic past of a city built on water, a land bastion facing the sea. In season, the narrow cobbled streets of the citadel are full of colors and entertainment: shops, creperies, museums and even open-air theater... Heart and root of Concarneau, the Ville Close defies time and always beats to the rhythm of the ocean and the seasons.
MUSEUMS AND OTHERS PLACES
Located in the former Maison du gouverneur of Concarneau, La Maison du Patrimoine is a place to discover.
Located in the historic heart of the city of Concarnoise, the Musée de la pêche, "Museum of France", reveals the secrets of maritime activity.
Showcase of the Marine Biology Station, the Marinarium invites you to discover the biodiversity of the oceans. On the heights of the city, the Chateau de Keriolet traces the atypical destinies of the Russian imperial princess Zenaïde Narischkine Yusupov and her husband, Count Charles de Chauveau.
ART GALERIES AND ARTISTS
Concarneau, source of inspiration!
As early as the 19th century, Concarneau hosted artists from around the world attracted by the fishing port activity by the ramparts. The stunning light, the fishing port, the ramparts of the walled town have always exercised its fascination on numerous artists… Alfred Guillou native of Concarneau and his friend Théophile Deyrolle are the creators of the “groupe de Concarneau”, French painters but also American, English, Swede or Russian… all of them attracted by this typical town. Some of them came very often like Sydney Lough Thompson from New Zealand or the American Charles Fromuth, they painted numerous and major works.
PORTS
The fishing port has had a considerable impact on the development of the city: sardine fishing, tuna fishing... Several generations of sailors have succeeded one another to anchor the maritime economy in Concarneau's genes. In the nineteenth century, the city developed outside the fortifications with the installation of canneries. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were up to thirty-two. Today, coastal fishing, shipbuilding and the recreational boat industry hold a remarkable place in the local economy.
BEACHES
Nestled in one of the most beautiful bays of Brittany, Concarneau is a privileged resort for the water sports and bathing. The many fine beaches meet all expectations: animated and supervised beaches for the whole family, quiet and relaxing beaches, and charming coves can be accessed via the coastal footpath. The Pointe du Cabellou : The Cabellou beaches are located along a point stretching forward into the sea. In ancient times a fort was built there to watch out for any potential sea attacks. Today the Cabellou offers fine sand beaches separated by amazing rocks upon which children can jump and climb … and paddle in ponds left behind by the sea in search of prawns.
HIKING
Step into your walking shoes and explore the kilometers long inland and coastal paths.
• The GR34, better known as the “Customs officers’ footpath”. 19 km worth if coastal paths overlooking the sea, the rocks and the indented coastline… and much more if you feel up to it.
• The Three Valleys (7 km), departure from the train station car park for this 1.5 hour long walk or 1 hour long mountain bike ride (intermediate level). This trail alternates woodlands and semi-urban landscapes.
• The Dorlett – Kérandon (6.5 km), this trail is for all the family, including pushchairs. Departure from the car park, located avenue Robert Jan opposite the secondary school. 1 hour 15 minutes walking and 45 min by VTC (Hybred) bike (beginners level).
• The Moros (5.8 km), shaded circuit around the Moros’ lake. Departure from Beuzec-Conq’s car park behind the church or from the water station’s car park in Brunec. 2 hours, intermediate level.
• Circuit Lanriec, Le Minaouët, Manoir du Bois (9.1 km), lovely scenaries along the Minaouët sea inlet and wooded areas. Depature from Lanriec, opposite the cemetery. 2 hours walking, 1 hour by mountain bike (beginners level).
PONT-AVEN - THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF PAINTERS
A wonderful Breton city 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 cakes!
From a commercial village providing the transport of goods between sea and river, Pont-Aven secured the title of City of Painters in the nineteenth century by becoming the privileged holiday resort of a colony of artists. The latter will make known to the whole world this small piece of Armorican land and establish for a long time the artistic fame of the city. Pont-Aven still perpetuates this tradition today and hosts within its walls about sixty galleries and artists' studios.
NEVEZ - ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
In Névez, very close to the beaches and the customs trail hide the charming villages with thatched houses of Kerascoët and Kercanic. Reminiscent of a time when slate had not yet replaced rye straw, these houses housed families of sailors and weavers (fifteenth century). The owners wanted to preserve these treasures of Breton heritage as real snapshots of history where time seems to have stopped
TREGUNC - IN THE LAND OF STANDING STONES
A unique heritage feature in France, standing stones (or "Mein Zao" in Breton) stand in the landscape of Névez and Trégunc, lined up in a fence or fitted with a wall or lean-to. Coming from a long tradition of granite exploitation having found in these municipalities an original expression, 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 seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This local specificity has earned Névez and Trégunc the "Landscape of Reconquest" label awarded by the Ministry of the Environment.
COUNTRY OF ROSPORDEN - HISTORY AND NATURE
In Brittany along the way, the visitor will always cross the road of a chapel. These beautiful granite ladies topped with elegant Cornish bell towers stand on the horizon of the fields as at the Trinity of Melgven or hide in the shade of the tall trees at Sainte-Marguerite du Hénan. Comfort of the sailors' wives in Saint-Nicolas de Port-Manec'h, stop on the long pilgrimage route from Tro Breizh to Locmaria-An-Hent, the Breton chapels often keep their doors closed on their secrets but still welcome visitors and pilgrims of all generations during their annual forgiveness. The opportunity to rediscover the Brittany of yesteryear during a party!