Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

MORBIHAN  181

The Fort de Penthièvre, re built
in the 19th century and now
owned by the French Army,
controls access to the peninsula.
To the west, Portivy, a fishing
harbour, leads to Pointe de
Percho, from where there is a
splendid view of Belle-Île (see
pp182–3) and the Île de Groix.
Exposed to the rigours of
the sea, the cliffs of the Côte
Sauvage (Wild Coast) are
in dented with caves and
chasms, and on stormy days the
wind swept sea at Ber-er-
Port-Tudy, on the Île de Groix, built in the 19th century Goalennec is an impressive
sight. Quiberon, once a busy
3 Île de Groix 4 Presqu’île de sardine port, is a resort now
Road map C3. * 2,320. Quiberon known mainly for its institute of
g Compagnie Océane; 0820 05 Road map C4. £ Auray or Quiberon thalassotherapy. The town was
61 56. n Jul–Aug: Port-Tudy; year- (route served by the Tire-Bouchon train launched as a coastal resort in
round: Quai de Rohan, Lorient, (02) in Jul–Aug). @ Auray. n 14 Rue de the early 20th century, when silk
97 84 78 00. ( Tue & Sat, in Le Bourg. Verdun, Quiberon; (02) 97 50 07 84. ( manufacturers from Lyon built
_ Festival International du Film Thu in St-Pierre, Sat in Quiberon & Wed villas on the seafront here.
Insulaire de l’Ile de Groix (late Aug). in Port-Haliguen (mid-Jun–mid-Sep). From Port-Maria, once a sardine
∑ lorientbretagnesudtourisme.fr port, boats sail for Belle-Île, the
_ Regatta (Jun), Régate Tour du
Morbihan (Jul), Fête de la Sardine, Port- Île de Houat and Île de Hoëdic
This picturesque island, with Maria (Jul). ∑ quiberon.com (see pp182–3). Pointe du
an area of 24 sq km (9 sq miles), Conguel, with the Phare de la
is best explored on foot, by bike Of all the areas of Brittany that Teignouse, is the peninsula’s
or on horse back. Between 1870 attract visitors, the beautiful most southerly point. During
and 1940, tuna fishing provided Presqu’Île de Quiberon the summer, regattas are
employment for up to 2,000 of justifiably draws the greatest regularly held at Port-Haliguen.
the island’s seamen. The number. It is also an exceptional St-Pierre-de-Quiberon, a
harbour at Port-Tudy would environment for sailing and family holiday resort on the
then be filled with tuna boats watersports. The peninsula, eastern side, has good beaches
rather than the pleasure boats 14 km (9 miles) long, is linked to and interesting prehistoric
moored here today. the main land by a sandbank, standing stones. There are also
The Écomusée in Port-Tudy the Isthme de Penthièvre. many sailing schools here.
describes daily life on Groix as Just off the main road D765,
well as its natural environ ment. heading south, is La Belle Iloise, E La Belle Iloise
The island’s interesting geology a sardine cannery with a museum Zone Activité Plein Ouest. Tel (02) 97
is explored in the Réserve dedicated to the history of this 50 08 77. Open Apr–Oct: Mon–Fri, Sat
Naturelle François Le Bail. important local industry. The am; Nov–Mar: Tue–Fri. 7
At the end of the road Musée de la Chouannerie, in an E Musée de la Chouannerie
running south from Créhal, a old blockhouse nearby at Plouharnel. On the D 768. Tel (02) 97
coast path leads to the Trou de Plouharmel, tells the story of the 52 31 31. Open Apr–mid-Jun: daily
l’Enfer, an impress ively deep Chouans (see p52). pm; mid-Jun–Sep: daily. &
recess in the cliff face.
On the west coast is the lovely
Plage des Grands-Sables, the
only convex beach in Europe,
and there is a bird sanctuary on
the north westerly Pointe de Groix.
E Écomusée
Port-Tudy. Tel (02) 97 86 84 60.
Open May–Sep: daily; Oct–Apr: Tue–
Sun. Closed public hols &
O Réserve Naturelle
François Le Bail
Île de Groix. Tel (02) 97 86 55 97.
Open Jul–Aug: Tue–Sat am; Sep–Jun:
Tue & Thu am. Alignment of menhirs at St-Pierre-de-Quiberon

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