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Pont-Aven

Visit Pont-Aven (Brittany, France)

The historical port town of Port-Aven is between Quimper and Quimperlé in south-east Finistere (Brittany region).

For several hundred years Pont-Aven was a quiet port town with an industry based around its watermills and port, then towards the end of the 19th century it also gained a reputation as an art town. A significant number of artists are still attracted here, with the town referred to by the local tourist authorities as a 'city of artists'.

Exploring Pont-Aven

The town is best known for the historic watermills along the banks of the quiet river Aven, and it is these that provide the scenic backdrop for the town - although only four now remain, and it is said that were 14 or 15 here when Pont-Aven was at its most prosperous. Ask for the guide 'Promenade des Moulins' in the Pont-Aven tourist office for a walk that discovers both the mills that still exist and those that are now in ruins or no longer in existence.

Apart from the mills you will want to stroll around the quiet port overlooked by Breton houses, and to explore the town itself where there are a good number of traditional granite and whitewashed houses. The whole of the centre of Pont-Aven is very pleasant and one of our favourite towns in the region.

Be sure to explore the streets both sides of the main bridge, and to amble down some of the smaller side streets such as Rue des Meunières (to the west of the port) to see the most traditional parts of the village.

There are numerous pizzerias, creperies and more traditional restaurants in Pont-Aven, along with banks, shops and all other commerces necessary if you are staying nearby.

Art in Pont-Aven

An artistic community had already been established in Pont-Aven for around 20 years, but its fame became assured in 1886 when Gauguin first discovered the town and its picturesque setting, and came here to establish a studio. An interesting way to explore the town is to use the guide from the Tourist Office that follows in the footsteps of these famous artists.

Enthusiasts of Gauguin will also want to visit the small Chapel of Tremalo just outside Pont-Aven to see the wooden cross that inspired Gauguin to paint The Yellow Christ, one of his most famous paintings, and is surprisingly similar to the painting.

You can see some high quality examples of the 'Pont-Aven art' in the Museum of Fine Arts, which has quite a remarkable collection given the size of the town and is a highlight of a visit.

Photos taken within 10 km

Address: Pont-Aven, Quimper, Finistere, Brittany, 29930 || GPS: latitude 47.85, longitude -3.75

Map of Pont-Aven & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Benodet 27km; Quimper 31km; Ile de Groix 32km; Pont l'Abbe 35km; Locronan 44km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Pont-Aven.
See Brittany and Finistere (the region and department for Pont-Aven) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Pont-Aven, France

• Concarneau - town of art and history (12km)
• Marais de Mousterlin - site of natural beauty (20km)
• Archipel des Glénan - site of natural beauty (24km)
• Lorient - town of art and history (25km)
• Zoo de Pont-Scorff - zoo or wildlife park (26km)
• Jardin du château de Lanniron - remarkable garden (31km)
• Jardin du prieuré de Locmaria - remarkable garden (31km)
• Quimper - town of art and history (31km)
• Parc botanique de Cornouaille - remarkable garden (31km)
• Parc Victor Chevassu - remarkable garden (31km)

Market days in Pont-Aven: Regular market(s) are held in Pont-Aven each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Pont-Aven (Francais)