THE SURROUNDING AREA OF PONTIVY
Pontivy is made up of two towns wrapped around each other. There is the medieval old town with its tortuous streets and half timbered houses, and the geometric Napoleonic town. Twice in its history Pontivy has been known as Napoleonville (the town of Napoleon) The town is situated in a very rural part of Brittany known as the valley of the Blavet and the River Blavet runs through the town. The Nantes-Brest canal also runs through Pontivy and if you are taking a trip on the canal it is a good stopping off point. The town boasts a magnificent 15th century castle where guided tours are available and a 16th century church built in the flamboyant style.
The surrounding countryside is replete with small villages boasting innumerable chapels of architectural and historical interest. There are well laid out walks and cycle paths for the visitor to discover the treasures of central Brittany.Baud
A quiet country town some 20km south of Pontivy. The town has a 16th century chapel which contains some important statuary and a magnificent fountain. There is also the curiosity of the statue of the Venus of Quinpily which is of unknown origin and has been the symbol of considerable pagan worship.
Lorient
Lorient takes its name from the original site where the India Company built its first premises from where it conducted business with India and China, hence the name L'Orient. The town now has five ports including the military port which has a submarine base.
Lorient today is very modern as it was completely rebuilt after the second world war. Due to its strategic importance Lorient was occupied by the Germans in 1940 and razed to the ground by allied bombardment in order to prevent the Germans from using it.
However Lorient is not without interest for the visitor; apart from the ports there is an excelent example of modern ecclesiastical building in the form of the Church of Notre Dame de Victoire and a splendid sea exhibit. There are numerous boat trips available and the coastline around Lorient has a vast expance of unspoiled beaches.
Hennebont
Hennebont is built on the banks of the River Blavet at the head of the estuary. As well as the industrial museums there is the 16th century Basilica of our Lady of Paradise. Hennebont is better known for its stud farm which is open to visitors and has organized tours.
Isle De Groix
Griox Island lies a few kilometers of the coast off Lorient. It is an charming small island some 8km long and 3km wide offering impressive towering cliffs and high rocks on its north coast and sandy beaches in secluded coves on the south coast. There are a few small towns and a large number of tiny hamlets scattered around the island which is a nature reserve and home to a wide variety of sea birds. Several ferries a day run from Lorient to Groix.
Larmor Plage
This small town adjacent to Lorient is a super seaside resort having clean sandy beaches which slope gently down to the sea making it a delightful spot for bathing. In the town centre there is an interesting church which dates back to the 12th century but has been remodelled several times until the 17th century.
Port Louis
This small town situated on the headland at the entrance to Lorient harbor has both a fishing port and a pleasure boat port. The the summer months this is a busy holiday resort and there are many interesting sites for the visitor to persue. The most important being the Citadel a 16th century fortress which is in a state of perfect preservation and today houses the French East India Company Museum as well as the Boat Museum, the Powder Factory.
Vannes
The town of Vannes dates from the first century B.C. when it was known as Darioritum and like many of the important Breton towns the original "old town" is situated within the fortified city walls. Large sections of the ramparts still remain and walking around these offers exceptional views of the town. At the centre of the old town lies the cathedral whose construction was started in the 13th century. Among the many sites to see within the walls is the Morbihan Archaeological Museum which gives a fascinating insight into early settlements in Brittany with examples from excavations at the many megalithic sites such as Carnac.
Situated at the head of the Gulf of Morbihan, Vannes has a large port area. The visitor is free to meander around the port simply looking at the boats or may take one of the many boat excursions on offer.
Vannes has a good selection of restaurants and shops and the tourist office runs themed tours of the town throughout the year.
In the countryside around Vannes there are a number of castles and nature reserves where the visitor can pass a pleasant time in the calm surroundings.
Gulf of Morbihan
The Gulf of Morbihan is an inland sea with large a number of Islands within its boundaries. The Gulf measures 20km by 15km at its widest point and is tidal having a narrow channel opening into the Atlantic Ocean. The largest island in the Gulf is Monks Island (Ile ay Moins) with a population of 600. The island is a beautiful tourist resort with sandy beaches and a tranquil atmosphere. The second largest island is Arz which has a population of around 300 and a number of megalithic monuments. Many other islands in the Gulf are privately owned and uninhabited. On the Gavrines Island there is one of the largest and best preserved stone tumulus in existence . It is possible to see but visits are strictly controlled.
