MORBIHAN

GENERAL INFORMATION

Morbihan is a département in the région of Bretagne (Brittany) and is surrounded by the departments of Finistère, Côte-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Loire-Atlantique, and the Atlantic Ocean on the southwest.

Morbihan means 'little sea' in Breton, and gets its name from the gulf of Morbihan, which is a large spanse of water dotted with small islands that opens out into the 'great sea' of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the only department in Brittany to have a southern coastline, with a sub-tropical feel the climate is warmer than the rest of Brittany, especially near the coastline and estuaries such as the Vilaine.

On the south coast of Brittany lies Morbihan, with over 800km of fine sandy beaches, rugged coastline, rivers and estuaries.   Surfers, climbers, divers and fishermen are drawn to the clear waters & natural beauty of this coast, known for its oyster production.

HISTORY

Morbihan was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Brittany.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE 

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.

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.

Separating Morbihan from Côtes d’Armor is the Guerlédan lake with bathing, canoeing, water skiing and pedallos.

The fishing port of Lorient is immense (second largest in France) and worth a visit for the auction of the morning catch.

Lorient also plays host to important yacht races each year and the Festival Interceltique takes place the first fortnight of August. Uniting Celtic peoples from the British Isles, Spain and Brittany, the festival draws more than 4,500 artists and musicians every year for traditional music and dancing in the streets. Cider, crêpes and cotriade (fish stew) are on sale around the fishing harbour. The festival is highly recommended, but with over 300,000 people attending, it can get crowded.

The astronomical clock in Ploërmel, is classed as a national monument, and was built in the 19th century, it has 10 panels depicting the solar system. The Maison de Marmousets in Rue Beaumanoir is the most famous landmark in the town and has some marvellous wood sculptures on its facade.

All around the cathedral in Vannes is worth exploring with the ancient houses, Musée des Beaux Arts and the old streets with some very chic shops. Beside the aquarium, there is the Musée des Automates, with mechanical toys from the 19th century and the butterfly house – La Papillonneraie.