Archive for January 21st, 2021

January 21, 2021

The Presqu’ile de Rhuys has it all!

Again updating this old post from 2015 showing the wonderful peninsula of Rhuys or Presqu’île de Rhuys. A rather vast territory of many towns and most coastal ones with beautiful scenary. I have many posts on the towns of it in my blog but this was a bit of a tour around several. Hope you enjoy it as I do!

Well my regular rounds in my department 56 Morbihan, took me to the peninsula of rhuys or Prequ’île de Rhuys. Indeed a peninsula full of boats, megaliths stones, and especially beaches;great in summer, peacefully nice in winter season.

We set out by car, of course,  as it is only about 60 km (about 37 miles) from me all the way to the tip of the peninsula. The road N165 runs Nantes to Brest and take it past Vannes to the exit with the name Presqu’île de Rhuys and Sarzeau the biggest town there. You will be on the road D780 and as we took some side steps we went on the D198 as well.

We stop at the village of Le Hézo to load up on cider! A case mix of brut, doux, and fruité or semi sec. There is a museum here too, musée de la cidre,  and they show you how it is made ; and a great boutique with a lot more than cider, such as honey, jams, house deco items, whiskies, eau de vie de cidre, etc. webpage: https://www.museeducidre.com/en

We continue on to arrive on the D780 to Sarzeau, before we made a quick look at a castle always planning but never done it, opens in July 1, Chateau de Kervelenan, (see post)wonderful property, the gardens are open more time.

And then into Sarzeau center ,there was market day of course, all Saturdays we load up on goodies and baguettes, saw the wonderful Church Saint-Saturnin dating from the 17C where the square the market is held all around it. Plenty of parking by the cinema le Richmont area on the place des Trinitaires for free. see posts

We wondered about town city center with the great ambiance of market day, but continue our journey for lunch. We took the road D198 and headed for Saint Gildas de Rhuys a  great peaceful community surrounded by great beaches and a nice quaint city center where we had our lunch. Pizzeria Restaurant Le Casier. Here the service was very friendly and very attentive to detail as well as prompt. The resto has a nice garden terrace and then go inside with two dining sections we took the back by the wine cellar, very nice decoration and the food was great from moules/mussels( curry and white wine) to pizzas (rustique and mexicaine)and ice creams in two and three scoops,diabolo menthe, and a bottle of Spanish Rioja wine Arjona 2014 joven young red wine nice. all for 21.50€ per person. webpage: https://www.lecasier.com/

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Fully loaded we took turn on the local church just a few meters away, this is the Abbaye Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys (see post) founded by one of the monks that left Great Britain for old Armoric (today Bretagne) when the migration leaving the Saxons invasions; today it is one of the most beautiful roman style churches in Bretagne/Brittany.

Just behind the abbey there is a circuit going to the beach or plage  de l’appel du 8 juin 1940, and the port aux moines boat pleasure marina, nice lovely place to relax too.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

We continue our journey into deeper in the peninsula of Rhuys and came upon Arzon, a smaller town just across from marvelous harbor of Port de Crousty, and the Church of Arzon, (see posts) completely done in the 19C even if the town is one of the oldest here on record mentioned since 836.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

We continue our journey into the corniche du phare and walk along the waterfront into the great lighthouse while getting a great look at the island in the harbor tip such as île de Meaban, Cromlec’h, Er Lannic,île longue, île de Gavrinis, and île de la jument. All wonderful view along the harbor high ground walkways. Beautiful peaceful boat and sea magic. Love it. We went around on the other side and into the pointe de Bilgroix to get more views of the harbor and the wonderful stone statue of the Madonna, near the entrance to a megalith dating 2500-3000 BC.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

As this was the end of the road, we headed back home first on the D198 then the D780 and finally the N165 direction Vannes to the D768 and home. In all ,another wonderful day out in beautiful Morbihan, which as many of my readers know is petite mer in French or actually  small sea in Breton. Mor=Sea, Bihan=small.

The tourist office of the Morbihan dept 56 on the presqu’île de Rhuys in English: http://www.morbihan-tourism.co.uk/home/discover/morbihan/the-main-destinations/the-rhuys-peninsula

And there you go a nice ride into a wonderful peninsula of Rhuys or Presqu’île de Rhuys, we love to come and have plenty; see my many posts on it again. You will love it if into beaches, boatings, nautical activities, and of course heritage, architecture, and history as I love it too.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

January 21, 2021

Grande plage and Plage St Colomban, Carnac!

Ok here is to finish my latest live tour of my coastal area in this miserable time in our lives with most closed or limited. I told you been to Carnac several times as it is the closes beach to our house and a very good one as well as many nice monuments to see (see my posts). And of course, I have written about the beaches blue pavillion great for swimming! However, on this trip took some new pictures like to share in this new post on Carnac plage. Remember, there is a Carnac Bourg or town same but 2 km away!

Let me tell you a bit maybe repeated text and links sorry. Today was a rainy day but who cares in Bretagne we say something like it only rains on the idiots ….and it goes, the smart ones stayed in the bars lol!!! Amén to that!

The Grande Plage or big beach, this is absolutely wonderful and our favorite for hangouts and swimming. You must come here in Summer; it can beat any in the world me think.

carnac

you have clear water, fine sand and 2 km long, the Grande Plage de Carnac is a treat for bathers and sunbathers. The Grande Plage is the largest of the five beaches in the city. In summer, swimming is supervised and water sports can be practiced safely. Two beach clubs set up there each summer. A few steps away, you will find many restaurants and shops. La Grande Plage is also accessible to people with motor disabilities thanks to adapted equipment, all this with the presence of qualified staff with bathing assistance, cloakroom, adapted shower and WC (toilets). The reception point is open from the 1st weekend in July to the last weekend in August inclusive, every day from 13h to 19h. The Grande Plage site has been certified tourism and disabled since 2007. Possibility of parking along the Grande Plage on bd de la plage. No dogs allowed.

carnac

The Carnac tourist office on the Grande plagehttps://www.ot-carnac.fr/decouvrir/bord-de-mer/plages/grande-plage

My fav beach webpage in France, plages tv on the Grande plage of Carnachttps://en.plages.tv/detail/grande-plage-carnac-56340

If of the five a second favorite has to be choose , I will opt for plage St Colomban in the village of same name and all along the ocean from the Grande plage along bd de la plage ,bd de Légenése, and bd de l’Océan. All same road.

carnac

The plage de Saint Colomban beach is the most west of Carnac. all year round, the windsurfing spot in St Colomban is the recognized meeting place for the best windsurfers. Possibility of parking bd de l’Océan facing the beach. No dogs allowed. To the extreme right of the beach you will see the bunker, this is a remnant from WWII, and still there rusting away but still there.  We again saw the kids activities early on with learning to swim and all in an inflatable pool! The rocks or reefs onto the beach is a sight to see, and the white sandy beach was a delight.

carnac plage st colomban to sea jan21

Carnac plage saint colomban WWII bunker nov16

The Carnac tourist office on the plage Saint Colombanhttps://www.ot-carnac.fr/decouvrir/bord-de-mer/plages/plage-de-saint-colomban

My fav beach webpage in France , plages tv, on the plage Saint Colombanhttps://en.plages.tv/detail/saint-colomban-beach-carnac-56340

So, there you go folks;another round on the wonderful beaches of Carnac. My favorites Grande Plage, and plage Saint Colomban. Of course, not the season to do them, but a heads up planning for next summer where hopefully we will be able to enjoy them again. Hope you enjoy this bit of tour by the road warrior, yours truly in virus prime time!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Tags: ,
January 21, 2021

The other Carnac!

Well hard to come up with titles in my minimum creative writings, but I have said on several posts that the town is famous for its megaliths stones, Unesco World Heritage Site; and the wonderful beaches etc. However, there is another Carnac, for visitors and locals alike we seldom see. As was out and about my coastal area near my house took a trip to town or bourg and plages or beaches,and would like to tell you about the other Carnac! Hope you enjoy as I.

First, there is a big exhibition/expo center in the city center or bourg right behind the pre history museum and city hall of Carnac. It is a rather futuristic building which contrast with the old buildings around it. Right around Place St-Fiacre where the two weekly Wednesday and Sunday markets take place, equipped with picture rails and hooks, it regularly hosts artists’ exhibitions over a period of 10 to 15 days minimum. It benefits from the frequentation of the market. Normally , there are artsy events here to look out for them when possible.

The city of Carnac on the exhibits/expo center: https://www.carnac.fr/Annuaire-des-services-et-equipements/Salle-des-Expositions

carnac expo center behind arch mus jan21

There is of course a wonderful independant casino here facing the old salt marshes. It is right at the entrance to the town or bourg and the megaliths lines. At the Circus Casino of Carnac , you can enjoy it with 96 Slot machines, 2 electronic English roulettes, 13 stations from 0.50 €, 3 table games including Ultimate Poker and Black Jack from 2 €. Also discover the restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Saltworks. The Circus Casino of Carnac enjoys a breathtaking view of the ancient salt marshes. Open from 10h to 02h. from Sunday to Thursday, until 03h. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The official Circus Casino of Carnac webpage: https://www.circuscasino.fr/fr/etablissements/casino-carnac/jeux

The city of Carnac on the Circus Casinohttps://www.carnac.fr/Culture-sport-associations/Loisirs-et-festivites/Casino-Circus

The Carnac tourist office on the Circus Casino: https://www.ot-carnac.fr/fiche/casino-circus-de-carnac

carnac circus casino jan21

And a must stop on Carnac plage or beach area and we love to walked by it and great picture taking even if not use their facilities is the Yacht Club de Carnac.

A wonderful set up in a great beach spot on the bd de l’océan of Carnac. You have the Yacht Club de Carnac. A bit of history tells us that already in the summer of 1960, on the main beach, a few families, more grouped together in the center of the beach , had beyond a dinghy Rascal especially, little guy, boy. The boats were pulled over the sand, past the tents or access passages. In the spring of 1961 it was rumored that a group of users “in all kinds of gear” was going to be formed on the eastern part of the Grande Plage or large beach under the name “Club n ° 1” at the initiative of Mr. Chupot. The rest is history as the saying goes. The Carnac Yacht Club invites you to come and sail on the magnificent lake of the Baie de Quiberon. Protected from the winds and the ocean swell, a wide choice of activities awaits you such as sailing course, rental, private lessons, discovery outing, activity for children, coastal license training, kayaking, paddle and rowing, year-round activity. The Sailing at the Yacht Club of Carnac was elected French Sailing School of the year 2018.

The official webpage of the Yacht Club of Carnachttps://www.yccarnac.com/

The anecdote and story of the Thalasso Azur of Carnac  is that I had discount from work to come here and asked my wife ; she been a traditional woman decline and the story ended there. Each time we passed by I reminded her but never took the initiative again to come here to stay, just browse the inside and it is terrific. Carnac is the only thalassotherapy center in France to offer all its 100% organic treatment programs thanks to a range of Ecocert certified treatments, anchored in the marine world. Whether it is about recharging your batteries, resting or refocusing, relieving your pain, refining your figure or even opening up to new technologies to meditate and get to know you better, your stays are adapted to your desires and their experts are at your disposal to respond in a personalized way to your needs. Translated from their site.

The official Thalasso Azur of Carnac webpage: https://www.thalazur.fr/carnac/

The Carnac tourist office on the Thalasso Azurhttps://www.carnactourism.co.uk/detail/61aa4163c49627044803be26d8ce97ca/549793

carnac thalassa hotel near beach jan21

Finally, a nice historical monument, right in the middle of residential area. You need to walk a bit from the Church of Saint Cornély (see post) to see this wonderful fountain. Here is my take on it

The fountain or La fontaine St Cornely  at Rue de la fontaine, just closed of the Church of Saint Cornély . The fountain was built in 1661.  The story of it tells us that peasants came there to bless the herds after Mass. Remember that St Cornély is the protector of horned animals. The animals were then taken to the Ménec meadow (next to where the rows of menhirs are:see post) to be sold at auction. For being blessed, these animals were more valuable because they protected the flock. The week before the service, the peasants came with their flocks in the evening to make their way between the church and the fountain, reciting the rosary.

The fountain of St Cornély is presented as a square aedicule, open on its four sides by a Doric arcade. Its roof is surmounted by an arrow reminiscent of an obelisk. Inside, a niche shelters the statue of Saint Cornély, which takes place in the center of a square, about 11 meters on each side, located in the lower elevation of the square. Access is via four staircases in the middle of each side. No webpage.

carnac fountain by menec area jan21

Hope you enjoy the tour which can be done on foot as far as being in Carnac bourg or plage (beared in mind both are 2 km apart) I am concerned. A real eye opener for a beach town which we have come to love and visit often even for a road warrior, walker’s delight ride like yesterday in Carnac.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Tags: ,
%d bloggers like this: