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The Holiday Ferret’s Guide to Morbihan, Brittany, France

Morbihan is the southernmost of the four departments that make up Brittany, France. Morbihan, which means “little sea,” is named for the natural harbor protected by the Rhuys Peninsula. A place of castles and incredible natural scenery, the area features 900 kilometers of beaches. The department is like a time capsule, holding pieces of prehistoric culture, Medieval and Renaissance history within its boundaries.

Recreation On and Around the Water
La Trinite sur Mer sits along a large harbor on Quiberon Bay and offers warmer summer waters, making it the perfect spot to try a number of water sports. The town boasts windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, sailing, boat tours and excursions and includes a marina and fishing port. Yachting season kicks off at Easter with the Spi Ouest-France Regatta. Sample fresh seafood at one of the village’s numerous restaurants, attend the year-round fish market, or try gathering your own shrimp and shellfish on the beach. Visitors can hike the coastal footpath for a concert on the beach or a picnic at the pine forests of Poulbert, or walk the tombolo out to Stuhan Island at low tide.   
 
Megalithic Sites
The town of Carnac is surrounded by megalithic sites that predate Stonehenge, including stone enclosures and some of the largest and most numerous examples of standing stones in existence. Guided tours of the area are given in English during the months of July and August. The Museum of Prehistory (Musée de Préhistoire) at Carnac-Ville displays artifacts from the Paleolithic period through to the arrival of the Romans. South of Carnac, the neolithic complex near the municipality of Locmariaquer contains seven major megalithic sites, ranging from the stone burial chamber the Table des Marchands to the Broken Menhir of Er Grah. The entire gulf area is peppered with prehistoric sites such as menhirs and dolmen.

Island Day Trips
Explore the nearly 42 islands of the Gulf of Morbihan. Small plane tours offer a bird’s eye view, and boat excursions are available to tour the gulf or access its islands. Weekly markets take place on the Ile des Moines each Wednesday and Saturday. The Beautiful Island (Belle Ile ) holds 60 beaches and has a history as a pirate haven. Walk the Wild Coast (Côte Sauvage), or enjoy a stargazing program arranged by the Astronomical Association of Belle-Ile. You can reach the island via ferry from Quiberon, Vannes or La Turballe. Boats, cars, bikes and scooters are available for hire on the island.

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