It is situated at the confluence of two streams forming the Vanne River, which opens into the virtually landlocked Gulf of Morbihan about 1 mile (1.5 km) below the town. Heading down Rue St-Vincent you’ll arrive at Place des Lices, which once hosted jousting tournaments but is now the venue of an open-air market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. 300 magasins But en France métropolitaine... Forcément un près de chez vous ! Located in one of the most beautiful French citadels, this museum in Port-Louis tells tales of sea rescues and archaeological treasures. Vannes has a full annual events calendar, which includes a jazz festival in August. But Vannes; Magasin But Vannes Changer de magasin. With its rugged... Northeast of Belle-Île, the islands of Houat and Hoëdic are the perfect places to get away from it all. All rights reserved. Just look around! Spectacular fortifications encircle Vannes' meandering alleys and cobbled squares, and lead down to a sparkling marina lined with cafes and townhouses. (1999) 51,759; (2014 est.) Every year in July, the town of Vannes takes to the streets to show off its historic past with pride. From the station to the city centre is a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride (service operated by Kiceo. Once a... High above the River Arz, Rochefort-en-Terre has been voted one of France’s most beautiful villages and as a result is one of Brittany’s most visited sites. Houat, the larger island, has sweeping sandy beaches and a network of... A towering 16th-century spire rockets up above the remaining medieval ramparts of Hennebont, an historic port at a strategic river-crossing on the Blavet, at the back of... Half way between Lorient and Quiberon, the Étel river flows inland like an outstretched hand for 9 square miles. The city still preserves much of its medieval atmosphere, though it's not a museum piece but a vibrant place with a lively bar and restaurant scene year-round. From the magnificent Château de Suscinio to golden... At 4.3 miles (7 km) long by 1.8 miles (3 km) wide, Île de Groix is Brittany’s second largest island after Belle-Île and lies 8.7 miles (14 km) off the coast of Lorient. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. It is situated at the confluence of two streams forming the Vanne River, which opens into the virtually landlocked Gulf of Morbihan about 1 mile (1.5 km) below the town. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The town is an important agricultural centre, with poultry farming and the production of poultry and cattle foodstuffs. Vélocéo self-service electric bikes can be rented by the day. The Celtic ecclesiastic St. Paternus was consecrated first bishop of Vannes in 466. Vannes, town, capital of Morbihan département, Bretagne région, western France. Vannes, located on the Gulf of Morbihan at the mouth of two rivers, the Marle and the Vincin, is around 100 kilometres (62 miles) northwest of Nantes and 450 km (280 miles) south west of Paris. Vannes is a great city to explore on foot, by bus or by bike. In this land of mountains and traditions, experience the very soul of contemporary Breton culture. Huge open spaces lead you to amazing marsh landscapes. You’ll love the cheerful atmosphere of this forward-thinking region that’s switched on and full of creativity. The town grew around two poles of development: the castrum (and the cathedral) on the Méné hill, and the Boismoreau hill, the original site of the Gallo-Roman town. The main gate into Vannes is the Porte St-Vincent Ferrier, named after the Spanish monk who died in the town in 1419 and became its patron saint; he is buried in St-Pierre cathedral. Overlooking the Golfe du Morbihan, Vannes is one of the unmissable towns of Brittany. Make your way... As you travel over the dual-carriageway bridge between Vannes and Lorient, you can’t help but notice a pretty little port. The Parc du Golfe is about a mile south of the town centre and it’s here that you join boat trips around the Gulf of Morbihan. Back to nature just 30 minutes from the mainland. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn! From the famous fishing port of Paimpol to the majestic headlands of Cap Fréhel and Cap d’Erquy, here you’ll discover a land steeped in the good things in life – great... Set out from Europe’s biggest harbour on a journey to discover the islands, the beaches, the cliffs and the nautical activities that add an extra sparkle to this magnificent... From the river to the coast, everything this area has to offer is on a grand scale. Bruyere, pins et ajoncs. Didier FORTIN. Ameublement, électroménager, literie, décoration, image & son, retrouvez l'ensemble de nos produits et les conseils de nos vendeurs dans nos magasins BUT ! 53,036. These... More than a region: a mosaic of worlds… Welcome to Brittany! Nos services. From the ferry ports, it is about 2 hours’ drive from St Malo and 2 hours 30 minutes from Roscoff. Vannes is also an excellent base for exploring the glittering island-studded Golfe du Morbihan and the mesmerising neolithic sites in the vicinity. This article was most recently revised and updated by, CRW Flags - Flag of Vannes Municipality, Morbihan, France. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Directeur magasin. Vannes was the centre of the Veneti tribe who led the unsuccessful Armorican rising against Julius Caesar after the Roman conquest. Discover Brittany's most beautiful islands with skipper Christophe Weibel on his luxury catamaran, which is both beautifully stable and furnished to a high standard. For the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan, the ferry terminal is 10 minutes by bus from the city centre. With or without a skipper, experience the open sea! Find out about Brittany’s 10 tourist destinations, the big cities, the islands, the unmissable…, Cap Fréhel – Saint-Malo – Mont Saint-Michel Bay, le Manoir Saint-Michel, enseigne d'accueil " Bienvenue ", Health & safety measures for the 2020 season, Cap Fréhel - Saint-Malo - Mont Saint-Michel Bay, The historic Saint-Patern quarter and church (18th century), The walled town: the half-timbered houses and mansions, the cathedral of Saint-Pierre and its rich furnishings, ‘La Cohue’ (a medieval hall housing the Museum of Fine Arts), The museum of history and archaeology (Château-Gaillard). On a replica of a Breton crayfish boat from 1905, the Krog E Barz, parents and children can head for the islands of Houat and Hoëdic, and discover the charms of Quiberon Bay. The Bateaux-Bus company in the Morbihan Gulf runs an all year round boat service from Vannes or Séné to the Ile d’Arz. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive exclusive information and make the most of your stay in Brittany. In Larmor Plage, the Larmor Wind Club has two guiding principles: focusing on two sports and staying small to keep that human touch. The Estates of Brittany, meeting in Vannes in 1532, ratified the union of the duchy with the French crown. Vannes’s magnificent flower gardens are a tourist attraction. Vélocéo self-service electric bikes can be rented by the day. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. In 845 Nominoë, the Breton leader in Armorica, defeated the Frankish king Charles the Bald and established the independent duchy (for a time kingdom) of Brittany. Outside the town walls to the east is the Château de l’Hermine, which was once the home of the Duke of Brittany but is now an exhibition space; its lovely public gardens host the Images de la Mer photography festival in May. © 2020 Lonely Planet. The Place Henri IV is bordered by 16th-century gabled houses. There are regular connections with France’s major towns and cities. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, wood from Paimpont forest was shipped from Vannes to South. After a period of rule by independent counts, Vannes came under the yoke of the Franks. The walled town of Vannes is without doubt one of Brittany’s most attractive sights and a must-visit on any trip to the Gulf of Morbihan. A market centre, it has spread around the old walled town situated on a hill. Vannes became a Cathedral city as early as the 5th century. The capital of Brittany, that is. From the station to the city centre is a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride (service operated by Kiceo. Vannes is a market town linked to the sea. To the left and right of the gate are town houses: many of their ground floors have been turned into cafes and make a lovely location for lunch as they face the marina. Spectacular fortifications encircle Vannes' meandering alleys and cobbled squares, and lead down to a sparkling marina lined with cafes and townhouses. Light industries include the manufacture of tires, prefabricated building material, and metalworking. For travellers on a budget, coach services are operated by Isilines, Eurolines, Flixbus and Ouibus, departing from many towns and cities. The 13th–17th-century ramparts, linked by towers and gates, are well preserved on the east side of the old town above the Rohan stream. Vannes became part of the duchy in 990. Historic sites, active afternoons and fun evenings:... Cornouaille is a wild, unspoilt area, with vast tracts of nature for you to explore and colourful local traditions to discover. Further south still is the Conleau Peninsula, where you’ll find Vannes’ only beach. Crossing the Morbihan department from east to west, the Lanvaux moors offer an unspoilt panorama criss-crossed by hiking trails and dotted with pockets of forest. The Sinagots of Séné welcome you for a trip with friends or a frenzied race between sinagots in the Gulf of Morbihan. A natural... A short and pleasant boat trip across the bay of Lorient, Port-Louis is worth a day of anyone’s time. Vannes is 450 km from Paris (5hrs) on the A11 ‘Océane’ motorway, and 110 km from Nantes and Rennes by dual carriageway. Belle-Île, 9 miles (15km) off the coast of the Gulf of Morbihan, is Brittany’s largest island. This is also the place to head for with kids, as there’s an aquarium with a huge collection of tropical fish and the Jardin aux Papillons, a glass dome filled with vegetation where hundreds of butterflies fly free. The cathedral of Saint-Pierre, burned by the Normans in the 10th century, was rebuilt between the 13th and 19th centuries. Welcome to the capital! Kids will love the aquarium and butterflies. Enjoy the gentle pace of life on the Gulf’s islands, discover megalithic secrets and half-timbered houses, experience the thrills of ocean racing, picnic at the isle of Groix... Kalon Breizh: welcome to the heart of Brittany! For the islands of the Gulf of Morbihan, the ferry terminal is 10 minutes by bus from the city centre. A market centre, it has spread around the old walled town situated on a hill. Among the 42 islands in the Gulf of Morbihan, the largest island, the Ile aux Moines (‘Monks’ Island’), stands out because of its mild climate and eco-chic style, and because... Jutting out into the sea for 9 miles (14km) and just 72ft (22m) wide at its narrowest point, the Quiberon Peninsula is a tourist destination par excellence. Wander around the well-preserved medieval streets before enjoying a harbour-side lunch then taking a boat trip around the gulf. A... Quality teaching, personalised program, safe locations: the Surf and Rescue school, situated on the beach at Kerhillio in Erdeven (Morbihan), has all the ingredients to enable... With Océans Evasion, book your ocean yacht, mono-hull or catamaran. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Its dangerous mouth has swallowed many a sailor and its town of... Rochefort-en-Terre, labellise Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, vue generale du chateau de Rochefort-en-terre. Vannes has two museums within its walls: the Château Gaillard, a 15th-century mansion house, accommodates the museum of archaeology and the town’s history while La Cohue, a 13th-century covered market that hosted the Breton Parliament from 1675-89, is now the museum of fine arts. Retrait gratuit 2H Achetez sur But.fr, retirez sous 2h en … Want to... Stretching from Mont Saint Michel – often simply called ‘La Merveille’ or ‘The Wonder’ – to Saint Malo, the Emerald Coast boasts some of the highest tides in Europe. Vannes is a great city to explore on foot, by bus or by bike. Pop. Eurostar will get you to Paris from London in 2 hours 16 minutes, then, with 11 trains a day, Vannes is 2 hours 30 minutes from Paris by TGV, France’s inter-city high-speed rail service. In Place Valencia you’ll see a carving of a man and a woman on the corner of a half-timbered house – they are known as ‘Vannes and his wife’ and are a popular subject for tourist snappers. Welcome to Vannes Overlooking the Golfe du Morbihan, Vannes is one of the unmissable towns of Brittany. We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Vannes, town, capital of Morbihan département, Bretagne région, western France. In this very mild coastal climate you’ll be surrounded by amazing landscapes, a wealth of nature and a unique historic heritage. The main sight is the star-shaped fort, which now houses two fascinating... On the temperate east side of the Gulf of Morbihan, the Rhuys Peninsula has something to interest all members of the family. You’ll see birds and seals,... At Brocéliande you can step into a land of legend and share exciting adventures as you travel through its majestic forest.