The "Golfe du Morbihan" and "Finistère"

Summer weekends, they're usually good opportunities to get out and see the world. So Elo and I have been taking advantage of some great weather, and exploring westen France.
One weekend, we visited the western coast of Brittany. Around the Pointe du Raz.
Finistère


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This was a very cute old town, Locronan, that has been credited with being one of the most beautiful villages in France. Quite an accolade considering the competition.

This is the main square at Locronan.

Below, the view from Pointe du Raz. It was a very light stroll from the carpark out to the point, accessable by wheelchair, but then we continued onto the rocks to get a better shot. The weather was overcast, as usual in Brittany, but not oo cold, and not raining.

The beautiful girl surrounded by the rough coast.

Me, taking a break.

This fortofied section of wall belongs to the Ville Close(Closed Village) which is connected to the city by a drawbridge. The clock tower on the right is recognised as a symbol of the city. After a walk along the city walls, we descended into the old town to do some tourist shopping. It was a warm, tiring day, obviously.

Mr no friends.

 with the clock tower.

Above, this was a great little town, full of artists and old mills. The old inhabitants took advantage of the natural abundance of granite formations along the river to build their houses and mills 'on' the river. There are canals of running water winding throught the centre of town.

Pont-Aven, after visiting several galleries we bought a few local treats, biscuits, beer, lollies. Then walked along the river, in a quiet garden that follows the water's edge.

 : One of my favourite photos. He's actually smiling

The small building to the left is actually the public toilet. Great view.

Another weekend.

Golfe du Morbihan

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Parc de Brière

A massive, beautiful natural park, with a huge swamp area. There is a small village that has been recontruced by several heritage programs, who maintain and operate the town as a tourist attraction. This house has packed straw for a roof. It was the common material used many years ago.

Elo and I took a canoe ride at the end of the afternoon on the swamp. It was very peacful and calm.

The swamp system has created a lot of paths, channels, and large open areas, that are home to a huge variety of birds and animals.

Not sure what this creature was, otter?rat?ragondin?

The fearless captain.

Quiberon.
This area is almost an island. The ithsmus is large enough for a train line and a road. On one side of the piont, is the golfe du Morbihan and the other, the Atlantic.

So the rough Atlantic side has created a savage coast line, exposed rocks, rough seas. We walked along a trail called the "Savage Coast".

The happy couple at sunset.

Nice to take time to watch the sun go down.

This was the beach on the other side, at our camp ground. Quite a contrast to the rough Atlantic ocean.

Back at the start of the point, there is an area of special interest for historians. Carnac. This is the site of several Dolmens like this one. They are similar to many spread out through this part of Europe.

There are also some incredible Megalithic sites.

One of the largest upright stones.

Then, the pièce de résistance, the 3000 odd upright stones that stretch for several kilometers. It is the largest collection of these in the world.

The stones were erected from 4500BC to 3500BC

No one really knows what they're for, but legend has it, they are soldiers chasing the Pope, when he turned them into stone? Not sure.

It is incredible to walk around them, see how carefully they have been layed out, and still not know why they exist.

One last note for you, I've turned into a real adult. OK, we're married, house and a baby on the way, but the day I bought my lawn mower, was the day I felt like a real man. Apparently I'm a Honda Man. Look out grass.