I spent as much or maybe more time than in my domicile town. Not only worked in its outskirts and go in for quick trips and meals, but the family comes here on every break and weekends. Vannes or Gwened (Breton) is in my beautiful Morbihan (Breton for Petite Mer or small sea) dept 56 of my lovely Bretagne or Breizh (Breton) and in my belle France or Bro-C’hall (Breton) . I was by there again today ,and got me new pictures maybe some repeated but worth it me think, Le me tell you about the curiosities of Vannes , part XVII !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Many half-timbered houses still bear witness to this medieval past. These period houses are just as pretty as each other and have always colored the city of Vannes. You may have already noticed it, but most half-timbered houses have a first floor further forward than the ground floor. In the Middle Ages, it was a usual architectural feature because it allowed a sufficiently wide passage on the public road and to gain surface area on the upper floors. In addition, in the past, the inhabitants only paid taxes according to the floor area. For the little anecdote, if the houses have for the most part facades of different colors, it is because at the time, few inhabitants knew how to read. Like the signs, the colors then allowed them to better locate themselves in the district.
The Rue de la Fontaine is in the St Patern district. It starts at the Bd de la Paix and ends at the Rue Saint Patern / Rue Saint Nicolas. Saint-Patern is the Montmartre of Vannes! a very active district. Tanners, craftsmen, traders live in the half-timbered houses that can still be admired today on rue de La Fontaine . One example I always look up is at 1 rue de la Fontaine. The house dating back to the 1st half of the 16C according to the type of molding applied and the trace of the primitive windows. The shape of its fireplace, the spiral staircase and the roof frame confirm this dating. The house is mentioned in 1677 in the archives of the Reformation.
Many memories of Le Gavroche restaurant ! at 17 Rue de la Fontaine, Vannes, don’t leave the city without eating here ok. My dear late wife Martine and the owner of Le Gavroche came to know them well and even provided us with some contact to paint our house the same way as the restaurant sort of…. Using the same local painter!! Needless to tell you we have come here several times even for anniversaries of our family. We love it ,and hope you do too! The very warm welcome, which is becoming rare nowadays , the attention of the waitresses and the owner throughout the meal. The other nice thing is that is on an old street with beautiful wooden houses going back to the 14C to 17C! Love to walk on it ! Webpage: https://www.gavrochevannes.fr/ Update sadly the resto has closed new owner new name same place.
Another nice spot came first on a lunch out with collegues of work was the Balade en Crêpanie at 21 Rue de la Fontaine. The crêperie with exposed stones and beams is installed in a 16C half-timbered house. On sunny days, you will be happy to show you around the terrace which is located in a flowered and shaded backyard. The walls of the creperie are graciously made available to artists (painters, photographers, etc.). Come and discover their works, and enjoy these wonderful houses that color our streets forever! Webpage: http://www.baladeencrepanie.com/
There is a quant library here, La Yamouna 6 rue de la Fontaine. Passing the door, you enter a world where time seems to have stood still. A scent of old paper floats in the air and wherever you look, it meets a forest of books. Here you can find all kinds of art, classical, travel, history, geography, police, etc. Books sold between 2 Euros and 500 Euros! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/layamouna
The Rue Saint-Patern is the main artery of the district. It bears the name of the first bishop of Vannes, Saint Patern who lived in the 5C. Located on the hill of Boismoreau, the Saint-Patern district is the oldest and most important in the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed many vestiges of the ancient agglomeration, when the city was the capital of the Gallo-Roman city of the Vénètes, You see several half timbered houses here with one special at 16 rue Saint-Patern;it dates back to the 16C with a more recent elevation.
Here there is plenty of restos and bars and even terraces into the street all bordering the grand Church of Saint Patern (see posts).
The city of Vannes on the half timbered houses: https://www.mairie-vannes.fr/maisons-pans-de-bois
There you go folks, part of the heritage, historical and architecture fabric of our capital city Vannes. I ought it to have in my blog and feel better now, and to come back and provide newer pictures to this wonderful building. Again, hope you have enjoy the post on the curiosities of Vannes, part XVII as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 