Page 193 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

GOLFE DU MORBIHAN  191

} Île aux Moines Métiers, at the Le Net
Road map D4. g from Baden, quai roundabout, contains recon-
de Port-Blanc, with Izenah Crosières structions of workshops and
(02) 97 26 31 45. n (Apr–Sep) the shops dating from the 1600s
harbour; (02) 97 26 32 45. ( summer: to the 1950s. Between here
daily; winter: Wed & Fri. _ Semaine and Arzon stands the Tumulus
du Golfe (gathering of old sailing de Tumiac, also known as
ships, May/Jun, every 2 years from Caesar’s Mound because the
2017); Festival de la Voile (Aug).
future Roman emperor is reputed
This cruciform island, 6 km to have used it as a lookout.
(4 miles) long and 3 km (2 miles) At the western tip of the
wide, once belonged to the peninsula, Port-Navalo and Port
Abbaye de St-Sauveur in Redon An attractive 18th-century building on the du Crouesty are modern coastal
(see p70). The largest island in the Île aux Moines resorts. The coast path here
Golfe du Morbihan, it has been commands impressive views of
in habited since Neolithic times, open to visitors. A small the gulf. It is also worth calling
and it has several megalithic Chinese band stand lends at the pretty little port of Le
sites. The most notable are a touch of exoticism. The Logeo, opposite the Îles Branec.
the cromlech at Kergonan, the Château de Suscinio, on Sarzeau, in the centre of the
largest in France, and, further the south coast, is surrounded peninsula, has fine 17th- and
south, the dolmen of Pen-Hap. by marshland. Built as a 18th-century residences. The
Like the neighbouring Île d’Arz, hunting lodge in the 13th chapel at Penvins, nearby,
the Île aux Moines has fine 17th- century, it was converted into dates from 1897.
and 18th-century houses. Its a fortress in the 14th century. Migratory birds can be
mild microclimate supports a It has a draw-bridge flanked observed from footpaths on
vegetation asso ciated with by towers, walls set with the peninsula’s north coast.
more southerly climes. watchtowers, and a moat fed
Eucalyptus, mimosa, camellia by the sea. In the 15th century, + Château de Kerlévenan
and fig all thrive here. As for the François II and his daughter, On the D780. Tel (02) 97 26 46 79.
island’s forests – Bois d’Amour Anne of Brittany, chose Nantes Park: Open Jul–mid-Sep: Sat–
(Wood of Love), Bois des Soupirs rather than Suscinio as their Thu pm; mid-Sep–Jun: by
(Wood of Sighs) and Bois des place of residence, and the arrangement. & 8
Regrets (Wood of Regrets) – castle fell into neglect. It + Château de Suscinio
their names alone are houses a permanent exhibition
conducive to gentle reverie. on the restoration of the From Sarzeau, take the D198. Tel (02)
Each of the promontories on Château, as well as 97 41 91 91. Open Apr–Sep: daily;
Oct–Mar: daily pm. & 8
the island’s indented coastline temporary exhibitions.
offers spectacular views of St-Gildas-de-Rhuys, further E Musée des Arts et Métiers
the gulf. west, is named after an English RD780. Tel (02) 97 53 68 25.
monk who established a Open Jul–Aug: Mon–Sat & Sun pm;
} Presqu’île de Rhuys monastery here in the 6th century. Sep–Jun: Tue–Sun pm (only groups).
Road map D4. South of the Golfe The Musée des Arts et des Closed mid-Nov–mid-Mar. &
du Morbihan, via the D780 from
Vannes. n offices at Sarzeau,
St-Gildas-de-Rhuys, Port du Crouesty;
(02) 97 53 69 69. ( Sun in St-Gildas-
de-Rhuys; Tue in Port du Crouesty;
Mon in Port du Crouesty (Jul–Aug).
_ Semaine du Golfe (gathering of
old sailing boats; Ascension, 40 days
after Easter, every 2 years from 2017);
Spectacles Historiques, (summer);
Fête de la Mer (Aug).
Like Quiberon (see p181), this
peninsula has two different
aspects: a sheltered north-
facing side, and a southern
side that is exposed to the
rigours of the Atlantic.
The Italianate Château de
Kerlévenan dates from the
18th century. The building is
closed to the public, but its
huge walled gardens, planted
with shrubs and trees, are The chapel at Penvins, near Sarzeau, in the form of a Greek cross

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