Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

208  BRIT T AN Y REGION B Y REGION

6 Tour of the Parc Naturel
Régional de la Grande Brière

Consisting of a landscape of reed beds crossed by canals,
the Parc Naturel Régional de la Grande Brière occupies
the centre of the Presqu’île de Guérande. This natural
environment of 49,000 ha (121,000 acres) was made a
protected area in 1970. It has an abundant population of
birds, and also contains about 3,000 traditional stone-built,
thatched houses, the highest concentration in France. One 1 Château de Ranrouet
way of exploring the park is by boat, accompanied by local The origins of this imposing
guide. Alternative ways to enjoy it are on foot, by fortress, now in ruins, go back
bicycle, on horseback or by horse-drawn carriage. to the 13th century.
La Roche-Bernard,
Vannes
2 Les Jardins du Marais
Over a hectare of land in size (2.5 acres),
this private organic garden includes a
vegetable plot, a flower garden, an
experimental garden and a small wood. Herbignac
The grounds are cultivated without the
use of pesticides.

3 St-Lyphard
From the belfry of the church
in the village of St-Lyphard,
there is a stunning view of J
Grande Brière.

Kerbourg Canal du Nord
Canal de
Bréca
4 Kerhinet
This village came to life again
when Grande Brière was
declared a protected area.
It consists of a cluster of 18
thatched houses, including the Guérande
park’s Visitor Centre (Maison du
Parc). About 1 km (0.5 mile)
further west is a well-preserved Le Croizic St-André-
Neolithic galleried grave. des Eaux

La Baule
5 Bréca
This barge port is located at
the western extremity of the Pornichet
Bréca Canal, which opened in
1937–8 and which crosses Grande
Brière from east to west, starting
at Rozé.

For hotels and restaurants see p229 and p243

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