Visit Morbihan

The department of Morbihan is a very popular destination for its natural scenery and a microclimate that the regulars of the Pen Palud campsite appreciate. Between maritime past and great history of Brittany, Morbihan and its seaside warmly welcome its visitors to guarantee an unforgettable stay.

Presentation of Morbihan

With its 900 kilometers of coastline facing south, Morbihan is a gentle enclave between land and sea enjoying remarkable sunshine. Surrounded by the 3 other Breton departments, it is traversed by rivers, deep forests, and white sandy beaches.

The department offers varied landscapes where pretty picturesque towns with old and dapper charm are nestled. La Gacilly, Rochefort-en-Terre, Josselin reveal a rich architectural heritage steeped in history.

On the east side of the coast, the Gulf of Morbihan, classified as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, is literally a “small sea” in the ocean that is visited from island to island, to discover beaches all more beautiful than the others.

On the west side, there are huge white sandy beaches showing the coasts of Belle-Île-en-Mer, Groix or Houat in the distance.

Morbihan is a territory of extremely varied discoveries, between megalithic sites in Carnac, legendary forests in Brocéliande, paradise of water sports all along the coast, it never ceases to surprise us at every turn.

Top 10 must-sees in Morbihan

• The Quiberon Peninsula is 14 km of sumptuous landscapes, sandy beach to the east, wild coast to the west and a dynamic seaside resort, perhaps the most appreciated in Morbihan.
• Lorient is resolutely turned towards the ocean and Breton traditions, come and visit the city of sailing and do not miss the Interceltic Festival which attracts more than 800,000 people each year in August.
• Discover Vannes, capital of Morbihan, its medieval historic center nestled in the ramparts that surround it, its marina. It is the gateway to the Gulf and its wonderful islands.
• Guidel is a remarkable site not far from Lorient, between ocean and river, it offers superb landscapes and its nautical base is a small paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Beautiful hikes in perspective.
• It is absolutely necessary to come to Carnac to visit the largest and oldest megalithic site in the world, with its some 3000 menhirs raised to the sky for almost 4 km, it is a memorable journey through time and history.
• The island of Groix is a wild and preserved nugget that must be visited on foot or by bike to appreciate all its beauties. Between moors, sandy beaches and torn coast, discover its 17 small villages with typical charm, and its lively port.
• Pont-Scorff is located inland above Lorient. You have to come and discover this small city of character nestled in a green setting, which honors craftsmanship: follow the route through the city to “La cour des métiers d’art”.
• A small, dynamic seaside resort, Larmor-Plage is set on a 10 km long coastline east of Lorient and offers 2.5 km of supervised beaches in summer. Follow the coastal path, we never get tired of views that embrace the ocean.
• Take a culture and history break in Port-Louis opposite Lorient, 2 superb museums await you: the National Museum of the Navy and the Museum of the East India Company.
• Find a sandy coastline composed of wild dunes on the peninsula of Gâvres. Enjoy a beautiful coastal landscape with a glimpse of the open sea and access to the sea at any time during your walk on the peninsula. Change of scenery and wonder guaranteed.

The little historical bonus a little further east of Morbihan:

Auray is a remarkable medieval city that houses the port of Saint-Goustan, come and discover its warm and lively atmosphere for a sweet break in one of its succulent creperies.

Activities and leisure in Morbihan

Morbihan, due to its geographical location, its privileged climate and its singular coastline offers a multitude of tourist activities for the whole family. Between land and sea, you will be spoiled for choice, a true paradise for hikers, you can explore your environment on foot, by bike, on horseback, and of course by boat.

The territory is full of greenways Pont-Scorff-Lorient, Guidel-Kerroch and GR (the famous GR 34) rich in surprising discoveries and sumptuous landscapes, do not miss to visit the Golf, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, crossing the multitude of islands, islets, Arz, Ile aux Moines, Berder, Ilur, etc.

Do you want a stay of fitness and relaxation ? Discover the many thalasso centers and spas in Carnac, Quiberon, Arzon, Lorient.

Morbihan has no shortage of amusement parks for your family outings, make your choice, there are more than thirty?! Animal parks Branféré, Pont-Scorff, Le Stérou, Aquarium de Vannes, amusement parks (Zoo de Pont Scorff, Kingoland, R’game Parc, Aventure Forêt Adrénaline, AlréKids, Roc’Aventures). Kart, tree climbing, giant labyrinth, the hardest thing will be to choose.

Lovers of water sports, you are in paradise, Lorient and all the surrounding coast are full of clubs to practice your favorite activity: sailing, paddle, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, kayaking.

Heritage and cultural visits

The architectural heritage of Morbihan is rich, it is the historical and religious memory of the department, more than 1000 sites are classified by the Historical Monuments.

You can discover them through the visit of the castles in Josselin or Succino for example, but also by its many churches, chapels or cloisters : the Ursuline convent (Le Faouët), the Notre-Dame-du-Roncier Basilica (Josselin), etc.

Many towns and villages are worth a visit, so Rochefort-en-Terre is full of architecture of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, do not miss to take a break in Pont-Scorff, Auray, La Gacilly, beautiful small cities and stroll through the historic center of Vannes, bounded by its ramparts.

Impossible to come to Morbihan without visiting the oldest megalithic sites in the world ? The best known are the Alignments de Carnac, but the region is full of dolmens, menhirs and other tumuli, at least 63 sites are listed.

In the same vein, the museum of prehistory of Carnac will delight young and old. Do not miss a visit to the submarine Flore-S645, visible at the submarine base of Lorient, the tuna boat museum in Etel will delight history lovers through the epic of the fishermen of the region.

Morbihan sea side

Morbihan is a department resolutely turned towards the Atlantic Ocean, as evidenced by the many cities that develop sports and tourist activities around the marine environment. Lorient is certainly the most passionate with the city of sailing Eric Tabarly, temple of boating.

The whole city and its surroundings celebrate the sea: Larmor-plage, Guidel, Port-Louis, the island of Groix, Gâvres. All these cities offer nautical clubs on beautiful natural sites. The offer is complete: sailing, surfing, windsurfing, paddle, sea kayaking, kitesurfing, diving, water skiing. You can rent a boat, learn with a professional, take more in-depth courses. Fishing enthusiasts are not left out, the coastline is full of fishing spots accessible to the whole family.

Classified as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Golf du Morbihan is a jewel that must be discovered by sea. Many cruises or walks are offered for one or more days of enchanting visits. Dock on the island of Arz or the island of monks, but also discover Ilur, Godec or the island of the Jument. Make the trip aboard an old rig, book a private cruise with a skipper or on a speedboat, everything is possible!

There are about thirty marinas in Morbihan, they can be the subject of a family walk. With more than 900 km of coastline, Morbihan has a very large number of beaches, large sandy beaches on the Quiberon peninsula or Sarzeau, small protected coves in Damgan, all will charm you with their wild beauty.