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Locronan
Locronan (most beautiful villages of Brittany) is 15 kilometres to the northwest of Quimper.
Tourist Information and places to visit
The small town of Locronan was, during the 16th and 17th centuries, a centre for sail-cloth making for the local ship-building industry. Further back in history, Locronan was a sacred place for the celts - known as a 'nemeton' - then later an important religious centre during the middle ages. Each of these epoques has left its mark on the town and region.
It is now more popular as a film-set, and has been seen in several films (including Tess by Roman Polanski), and as a tourist village. Numerous art and crafts abound in the vicinity, where tourists can buy local crafts.
Locronan is extremely well preserved, and is built in the traditional local granite. The solid houses with traditional slate rooves are interspersed with plenty of greenery and ooze history, making for a very attractive village.
The cobbled Place de l'eglise and the substantial vaulted 15th century St Ronan church are in the centre of the town, and the best place to start your visit.
Explore the numerous small side-streets heading off from the main square in Locronan, with their artisan boutiques, which make for a very pleasant visit. Be sure not to miss the delightful Chapelle Notre Dame de Bonne Nouvelle. Some of the little art galleries scattered around the town were surprisingly impressive, and the Museum of Art An History of Locronan provided an interesting look at the history of the town.
The Rue Moal and Rue Saint Maurice are the main streets - Rue Saint Maurice deserves a special mention for the lovely views from the end. Best advice is perhaps to get the leaflet from the tourist office that suggests the best route to follow while you are exploring, to ensure you don't miss the highlights.
The best views of the region around Locronan and out to sea involve a little effort - follow the path up the 'Montagne de Locronan' to the small Chapell ar Sonj. Other excursions should involve a walk through the forest at Bois de Névet, and if you are feeling ambitious the tourist office can suggest a longer walk through the surrounding countryside.
Visit Locronan, France: travel, tourism, gites and hotels
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Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Locronan
See the Visit Locronan section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Locronan car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.
Places to visit - Locronan
- Concarneau Concarneau, old town and port
- Locronan Most beautiful village, Brittany
- Pont-Croix Britanny town
- Quimper Place
- Benodet Seaside resort
- Douarnenez Brittany town
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos of Locronan, France
This Locronan tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
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Locronan / Finistere / Brittany (see also Ile de Sein)
