Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

DISC OVERING BRIT T AN Y  13

are the astonishing alignments
of Carnac (pp184–5). Don’t miss
the enormous broken menhir
and tumulus at Locmariaquer
(p186), a short distance east of
Carnac. Take in the breathtaking
scenery along the Presque’île
de Quiberon (p181) on the way
to Auray (pp186–7), which
boasts the great pilgrimage
church, Ste-Anne d’Auray
(p187), then head to the train
station at Rennes.
To extend your trip…
Spend a couple of days
exploring the islands in
the Golfe du Morbihan: Outdoor café in the walled old town of Guérande
Belle-Île-en-Mer (pp182–3),
the Île de Houat (p182), and Day 3: Redon and Paimpont charming Guérande (p206),
the Île de Hoëdic (p183). Drive to Redon (p70) to see the the Renaissance walled town
9th-century Benedictine abbey synonymous with France’s
of St-Sauveur, with a triple-tiered gourmet table salt. Soak up
A Week in Romanesque belfry. From there, local history walking around the
Southern Brittany carry on north to Paimpont (p68), old town and ramparts, before
which serves as the starting visit ing the Musée de la Poupée
• Airport Arrive and depart point for hikes in the Forêt de et du Jouet Ancien, famous for
from the Nantes-Atlantique Paimpont (p68) – the magical its historic toy collection.
Airport. Forêt de Brocéliande of Arthurian
• Transport A car is essential legend. Browse exhibits at the Day 6: Le Croisic and
for this trip. Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien La Baule
that occupies the Château de Drive west to the tip of the
• Moving on Depart Nantes
by train or bus. Comper, which is said to have Presque’île de Guérande for a
been the home of the fabled morning at the fishing port of
fairy Vivian. Later, follow the D31 Le Croisic (p206). Stop by the
Day 1–2: Nantes to seek out Merlin’s Tomb and Océarium du Croisic (p206) to
Begin with a tour of the the Fountain of Youth. observe marine life from the
pedestrianized Place du Bouffay Atlantic, and then head to the
(p210), and then walk northeast Day 4: Ploërmel to La Roche- nearby Musée des Marais
to the Cathédrale St-Pierre-et- Bernard Salants (p206), dedicated to
St-Paul (p212). Set aside plenty Proceed west to Ploërmel the history of the local salt
of time to explore the history (p197) to admire the striking marshes and salt pans. In the
museum in the Renaissance reliefs on the Église St-Armel afternoon, relax on the long
Château des Ducs de Bretagne and the Maison des Marmousets. sandy beaches of La Baule
(pp214–15). Afterwards, go to Make a stopover at Questembert (p207) or Pornichet (p207).
the Musée d’Arts (p212) which (p196) to see its remarkable
houses works by Monet, Rubens covered market, before heading Day 7: St-Nazaire and Pornic
and Courbet. to La Roche-Bernard (p196) on In the great ship-building port
Start the next day at the the Vilaine estuary. Here, visit of St-Nazaire (p207), learn all
Neo-Classical Quartier Graslin the Musée de la Vilaine about the various aspects of
(p210), and then head for the Maritime, then spend the rest its main industry at the STX
Musée Thomas Dobrée (p211) of the day in the colourful Chantiers de l’Atlantique, where
nearby to see his excellent private botanical gardens of the Parc cruise liners are built. Next,
collection of paintings, tapestries Zoologique de Branféré. check out the Escal-Atlantic’s
and armour. While away the exhibition on historic ocean
afternoon in the 19th-century Day 5: Parc Regionale de la liners. After lunch, explore
Passage Pommeraye shopping Grande Brière and Guérande the Écomusée devoted to the
arcade (pp210–11), before visit- Take a boat tour of the Parc natural history of the Loire
ing the Musée Jules-Verne Régionale de la Grande Brière estuary. While here, take a tour of
(p213). Don’t miss the Les (pp208–209) past thatched the French submarine L’Espadon.
Machines de l’Île (p213), where cottages and fascinating Spend the afternoon exploring
artist-engineers create delightful Neolithic monuments, including the lavish 19th-century resort
handcrafted steam punk rides the impressive La Barbière village of Pornic (p216) before
and installations. dolmen. Afterwards, drive to returning to Nantes.

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