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Peace and Tranquility

Activities & Things To Do in Southern Brittany

Brittany and more specifically our southern department of Morbihan, is a very popular tourist area serving not only France but it is popular with it's close cousins from the United Kingdom and the British Isles, having a special relationship with the Celtic regions of Ireland, Wales and Scotland as well as the rest of Europe.

As tourism has become a major part of the local economy, there has been huge investment in the regon in the road networks and general facilities so you will find there is plenty of things to do when holidaying in Brittany.

Very local to Les Bergeronnettes you can find walking and cycling routes and we are more than welcome to suggest places to see or feel free to explore the area for yourselves. We do have local guides and information regarding the area in all of our Gîtes and there can be found lots of free information in the Marie at Camors and the Tourist information centre in the local town of Baud.

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Beaches

Southern Brittany has a large choice of sandy beaches, with the nearest recommended beaches only 30 minutes drive from Les Bergeronnettes, where you can enjoy not only safe family fun but also a wide variety of leisure activities.

Larmor Plage

Plage de Port Maria – near to Lorient, a fine sandy stretch of beach with a busy water-sports centre, a favourite for surfboarding and sailing. There are pleasant beachside cafes which serve refreshments & lunch.

St Pierre Quiberon – an ideal resort for families, lovely sandy beaches, home of the National Sailing School and the sand-carting club, UCPA

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Boating

Whether you bring your own boat, hire one locally, cruise or take a day trip, Morbihan can offer a stunning coastline.

Just off shore you can find Brittany's largest island, Belle Ille, with daily a daily ferry service from Quiberon. If you prefer a more relaxing boat trip you can also take a cruise around the islands of the Golfe du Morbihan.

Cycling

As the national sport for France is cycling, and there is a wide choice for visitors to this picturesque region.

With the immediate area of the "Forêt Domaniale de Camors" which contains well maintain routes that criss-cross 650 hectares of woodland. You can access the Forest direct from Les Bergeronnettes via a private gateway to join the well sign posed and colour coded routes. Route detailed maps are available from the Mairie in Camors.

If you prefer you can simply explore the local country lanes and cycle routes or explore the local villages.


The Blavet Valley runs from Hennebont to Pontivy and beyond (about 10 miles north and west of Les Bergeornnettes).

It has 100 km of marked routes leisurely cycling tracks over 9 trails and has acclaimed recognition for its facilities. With a well surfaced route along the length of the river, it is a perfect way to see both the scenery and wildlife. Very popular with family groups.

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Eating Out

One of the pleasures of holidaying in France is of course the cuisine. Breton cuisine has a distinctive regional flavour, using local produce and the traditional way of life influencing the dishes featured on menus across the region.

With never being far from the coast, seafood is one of the main Breton specialities including of course prawns, mussels, oysters, scallops, clams, lobster and crab dependant upon the season.

Brittany is also famous for the crêpe and galette. Galettes are a savory dish served with ham, cheese, etc. while Crêpes are sweet and provide the desert served with sugar, lemon, chocolate etc. or for the more adventurous crêpe flambé with Calvados.

Galettes are tradisionally served with cider rather than wine and a boule, pichet or pot is often included in Creperie set menus. Some of the best is made locally at Cidre de Kerniel, CAMORS.

Do not hesitate to ask for recommendations to local restaurants - reservation and directions can be provided.

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Festoù-noz
... The plural for Fest Noz (Breton for "festival of the night") are traditional Breton festivals, similar to a céilí and are held all year round throughout the region. Locally our village of Lambel-Camors holds a Fest Noz the "Pardon du Oiseaux" at the end of every summer.

A Fest Noz involves a combination of food, drink, and above all music and dancing. All kinds of Breton and other Celtic music are usually performed however there are principally two types of music that you can hear at these festivals: music sung a cappella, accompanied with music or purely instrumental.

During the fest-noz, most dances are performed in a chain or in a circle, but there are also dances in pairs and often you will find a happy couple just dancing together to the music.

For Bretons, Music festivals are also a very popular part of the summer calendar, major regional festivals include:

• Lorient - Interceltic Festival, the largest of Brittany's music festivals takes place in the heart of the city every August with over 600,000 visitors. Every year, Celts from Brittany, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Isle of Man and the Spanish regions of Asturias, Galicia, are culturally joined.
• Hennebont - Medieval Festival, held the last weekend in July every year. This is a large Medieval Market gathering 80 craftsmen all in costume. During two days the city is transformed into a true medieval city with performers, parades through the streets and the side shows through out the day - free!
  
  
• Quimper - Festival de Cornouaille is held the end of July (9 days) and features a large gathering of Celtic artists, musicians and dancers from all over Europe.
• Rennes - Tombées de la Nuit, a spectacular street festival celebrating theatre, music, poetry and dance at the beginning of each July. The traditional music and comtemporary Breton rock. Popular with the 45,000 students of Rennes.
• Dinan - Fête des Remparts held over four days in late July. This is one of the largest celebrations of medieval culture in Europe, and includes exhibitions of jousting, drama, dance, music and ancient crafts.
• Concarneau - Fête des Filets Bleus (Festival of Blue Nets) held in mid-August is a traditional Breton festival of the fishing, culture and music of the region.
  Concarneau - Le festival de la Baie is a dance and music festival which is held every year in early August and attracts more than 500 performers from all over the world. There is also a huge crafts fair, with jewellery, rugs, clothes, pottery and musical instruments from around the world.
• Brest - Maritime Festival held in mid July the maritime heritage, music and other forms of entertainment, festivities are usually over six days, and include firework displays and concerts every evening.
• Saint Brieuc - Art Rock Festival held in late may, combines modern music with performance art, and attracts over 35,000 visitors every year.
• St Malo - La Route Du Rock Festival has a summer and winter events lasting three days.
• Vannes - Jazz festival. is a 6 day festival and takes place at the end of July into the beginning of August.

There are many other smaller festivals advertised throughout the summer season.

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Fishing

Brittany is France's well known for the quality of it's fivers and lakes. Wild brown trout can be caught in the local rivers of Ével and Tarun. In the quieter waters there is an abundance of pike, perch and other coarse fish.

A holiday permit (la Carte Vacance) was introduced several years ago to give visitors a fortnight's access between June 1st and September 30th to all fishing grounds within the Morbihan. It costs around 30 Euros and can be purchased from bar tabacs.

Note that you are still subject to the rules concerning quotas and sizes.

Lake fishing is available 2 miles from Les Bergeronnettes at the Etang du Petit Bois, next to the Camors Adventure Forest, for perch, carp and pike. There is also the Nantes-Brest Canal, and many other large fishing lakes which are popular with locals.

Coastal fishing from beaches does not require a permit. If you prefer sea fishing, there are many local ports that provide deap sea fishing for either a whole day or half a day.

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Golf
If golfing is your chosen holiday activity, you'll spoilt for choice in the Morbihan. There are five 18-hole courses within 70 minutes drive, The closest being Rimaison, a 9-hole course just 20 minutes away.

If golfing is your chosen holiday activity, you'll spoilt for choice in the Morbihan. There are five 18-hole courses within 70 minutes drive, The closest being Rimaison, a 9-hole course just 20 minutes away.

9 hole courses:

Rimaison (*29km/20 mins)
The magnificent grounds of this retired French chateau are a treasure trove of historic "old stones" and stunning views of the panoramic Blavet River Valley. While the spectacular elevation changes, rolling terrain, and well-manicured greens provide golfers of all levels a challenge they will never forget.
9 holes par 35
2582 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground under cover
- Fairway
- Putting green
- Coaching intuition courses
- Equipment hire
- clubhouse including Pro-shop and bar

Lac au Duc (*62km/42 mins)
This 9 Hole course owned/maintained by the Hotel Roi Arthur, running alongside the Lac du Duc, the largest inland lake in Brittany. The golf course is lined with hydrangeas, is varied and is mostly flat but includes some challenging holes.
9 holes par 36
3210 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground under cover
- Fairway
- Putting green

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18 hole courses:

Saint Laurent (*26km/30 mins)
Among the top 40 best French golf courses (magazine “Golf Europeen” – November 2001). Saint Laurent is an exceptional golf course in the centre of a beautiful pine and oak forest.
18 holes par 72
6702 yd
9 holes par 35
2958 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground under cover
- Fairway
- Putting green

St Laurent was a chosen venue for the French Professional Championships in 1988 & 1989, and the National Open in 1995.

Val Queven (*40km/35 mins)
Age-old trees give way to links that provide a range of situations while round about the undulating landscape of this former estate is quite striking.
18 holes par 72
6679 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground with 10 places under cover, 5 outside
- Putting green
- Fairway

Baden (*39km/40 mins)
On the very edge of the Morbihan Gulf and the Auray river, where the countryside meets the sea is Baden. A delightful setting provides plenty of golfing variety and beautiful scenery.
18 holes par 72
6509 yd
3 holes par 9
585 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground with 30 places in the open
- 4 places in the open on grass
- 2 places under cover
- 2 Putting greens
- 1 Fairway
- 18-hole putting course

Ploemeur Océan (*46km/40 mins)
Gazing out across the sea and the island of Groix, the extensive links of Ploemeur, caressed by soft ocean winds provide a wonderful experience for the nature lover and the golf connoisseur.
18 holes par 72
6364 yd

Practice facilities:
- Practice ground under cover
- Fairway
- Putting green

Rhuys Kerver (*75km/70 mins)
In the centre of a bird sanctuary in southern Brittany, play under the watchful eye of herons and egrets on a genuine links. Rolling greens and water features.
18 holes par 72
6550 yd
Practice facilities:
- Practice ground with 30 places, 10 of which are under cover
- Fairway
- Putting green

* km/mins by car from Les Bergeronnettes

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Horse Riding

Brittany is the perfect location for riding and trekking, with its beautifly green undulating attractive countryside and out of eason beach rides. There are over 2,000 kilometres of signposted bridle paths in Brittany including many trecks though the "Forêt Domaniale de Camors" which contains well maintain routes that criss-cross 650 hectares of woodland.

There are a number of local stables offering pony trekking and horse trails through forests. One of the nearest equestrian centres is L'Etre Cheval at Coz Camors (3 miles from Les Bergeronnettes). 

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Markets
Local markets are are a key part of local culture and are still consideredto be the best place to buy the freshest produce at the keenest price.

Local Market days can be found at the following places and times;

• Auray - Monday (morning), Sundays
• Baud - Saturday
• Carnac - Wednesday and Sunday
• Hennebont - Thursday
• Josselin - Saturday morning
• La Trinite Sur Mer - Friday
• Malestroit - Thursday morning
• Pontivy - Monday
• Port Louis - Saturday (morning); Tuesday (evening - July & August)
• Quimper - Wednesday, Friday afternoon (organic),
  Saturday, Sunday (morning)
• Vannes - Wednesday and Saturday mornings

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Megalithic Sites

Very close to Les Bergeronnettes menhirs can be found around Baud, Camors and La Chapel Neuve in the "Forêt Domaniale de Camors" and "Forêt de Floranges". Most Megalithic Sites in the area are well signposted and are generally incorporated into walking routes through the forests.

• Lambel: Allée couverte du prieuré, dating back to 3000BC can be found in the "Forêt Domaniale de Camors" between Lambel and Baud just off the D24 forest road.
  
• Lambel: Men Vras consisting of 2 standing stones (one now fallen) standing at 3,40 meters and a short distance away, Men Bihan 1,70 meters. These can be found in the "Forêt Domaniale de Camors" between Lambel and Locoal Camors with parking by the forest road roundabout.
• La Chapelle Neuve: Le ROH DU, a small dolmen found on the edge of "Forêt de Floranges" between La Chapelle Neuve and the Loge Charlotte.
• Camors: The Alignments of CORNEVEC is a single alignment of stones 200m long consisting of 50 menhirs, however only two remain standing. This alignment is well signposted with parking and can be found in "Forêt de Floranges" just outside the Loge Charlotte off the D779 road from Camors to Grand-Champ.

Carnac
Sheltered in the Quiberon Bay, Carnac is known worldwide for its alignments of menhirs and its five beaches of fine sand. Carnac enjoys a mild climate all year round and offers to the visitor a historical heritage unique in the world.

Heritage Prehistory Museum: it houses the rich archeological heritage of Carnac area, it relates of man's evolution and the different civilisations of the region. This site is the best in the world for the Megalithic Period.

• Menec Alignments: the site comprises 1099 menhirs and starts with a "cromlech" (hemicycle) of 70 menhirs, surrounding in parts, the Menec hamlet.
• Kermario Alignments: the eastern continuation of Menec alignments, spreading over tourism km, the site comprises 1029 menhirs.
• Kerlescan Alignments: 540 menhirs following a vast cromlech of 39 stones.
• Saint Michel Tumulus: 120m long and 12m high. From the summit, an exceptional view over the Quiberon Bay.

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Sailing
For the Sailing competition, regatta or simple sailing trip enthusiast, the nearby Morbihan coast is an ideal location for water sports and activities, thanks to its of coastline, broken up into creeks, inlets, roadways and bays, together with its many rivers and lakes.

There are also many sailing schools andwater sports centres who offer all year round sailing instruction sessions. Brittany’s sailing schools and clubs offer a wide range of activities including dinghies (single and double), catamarans, sailboarding, funboarding, group and pleasure boats.

As one of the world’s premier sail racing locations, La Trinite sur Mer is home to many regattas and sailing events all year round. Boat hire is also available at La Trinite sur Mer giving experienced boatmen access to the Golfe du Morbihan or the smaller inexperienced the small river cruisers to explore the local river

Sailing enthusiasts click here

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Scuba Diving

The waters of the Morbihan coast are popular with scuba-divers, there is much to explore. Many clubs have activities for beginners as well as guided explorations, visiting wrecks and even underwater photography courses.

There are suba diving centres throughout Brittany to cater for all tastes - exploration scubadiving, harpooning, archeology, the options are endless. The relative moderate depth of (under) water beds (from 10 to 60 meters) and the significant number of ship wrecks offer an impressive choice of wrecks to explore. From beginners to accomplished divers, Brittany offers something for all abilities.

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Surfing & Windsurfing

All along the nearby Morbihan coast there are sports centres offering throughout the year surfing, long board, body board, skim board, body surf etc. for the experienced boarders.

Surfing on the Quiberon Peninsula is very popular and tuition is available at a variety of centres.

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Swimming
In addition to our own swimming and toddler pools, there there are large outdoor pools at Pontivy, Plumelec and Serent, with the nearest indoor pool is at Baud and another local pool can be found in Grand Champ only a 20 Minute drive away

Also worth visiting is Piscine municipale “Vanocea” in Vannes which welcomes visitors 7 days a week to its 650m2 pool. With a 65m water-slide, diving pool, bubble beds, paddling pool, fun pool, weights, fitness room and saunas. It has every facility and is great family fun.

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Tennis
At Baud's sports centre, there are 2 outdoor courts and another four courts at Camors, just 5 mins from Les Bergeronnettes.

Many other towns and villages also have tennis facilities. For further enquiries contact the local Mairie, they are very friendly and very helpful.

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Walking

Brittany has the largest number of marked paths than any other region of France. There are many picturesque walks in the area, filled with wildlife – from strolls in the Forêt Domaniale de Camors, along the river Blavet, to more challenging hikes.

At Les Bergeronnettes we have a collection of local maps of routes, which include:

• Directly from Les Bergeronnettes - a short walk of 3km or a longer walk of 5km right from the cottage front door to the Men Vras (Menhirs).

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