Morbihan

Visit Morbihan

Morbihan is surely one of the most varied departments in France, with prehistoric monuments and important historical towns and castles standing in contrast to the ever popular ports and villages, beaches and islands along the coast and around the Gulf of Morbihan. This part of southern Brittany is definitely a department with something for everyone...

Selected places to visit in Morbihan

Highlights in Morbihan, Brittany

Morbihan is a department in the southern part of Brittany, based along the coast around Vannes, the capital of the department and one of our favourite towns in Brittany.

Carnac and the standing stones are undoubtedly the biggest attraction in Morbihan - there are numerous standing stones and megaliths, dolmen and menhirs, harking back to neolithic times. Morbihan, and Carnac in particular, is the centre of France for these structures, with literally hundreds to explore. The important prehistoric structures at nearby Locmariaquer should also feature high on your list of places to visit.

Unfortunately the number of tourists visiting these stones, and threatening them, means that access is now quite restricted, especially during summer months, slightly diminishing their power to enthrall. But don't worry unduly, the effect of seeing the stones from the path along the edge is still quite magical and mysterious.

On the Rhuys peninsula to the south, pass Sarzeau to reach Arzon (and the twin ports of Port de Crouesty and Port Navalo) also make a picturesque destination, while La Trinite-sur-Mer is popular with those arriving by boat

The popular resort of Quiberon is on the Quiberon peninsula just south of Carnac (also the resort at Carnac Plage), while the Morbihan Gulf with its numerous small islands and opportunities to explore nature is to the east.

There are also some attractive and interesting towns to explore - particularly Vannes and Auray (including the riverside town of Saint-Goustan). Also visit the pilgrimage site at Sainte-Anne d'Auray a little to the north.

Continue to explore the Morbihan department - visit perhaps the fishing port at Lorient and venture inland to visit the split-personality town at Pontivy.

In inland Morbihan don't miss Josselin Castle and, to the south of Josselin, the town of Rochefort-en-Terre. Then back to the south of the department to visit La Roche-Bernard and the church at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.

Beaches and islands

Along the Morbihan coast there are numerous small sandy beaches to explore. Be aware that some have very strong undercurrents, so you should only swim where you know it to be safe. There are also some larger beaches, for example at Carnac-Plage, which will have all the beach facilities you could hope for, and more, but are a bit over-crowded and over-priced.

There are also popular excursions to the islands along the Brittany coast. these include the islands of Belle Ile, Ile aux Moines, Ile de Groix, Ile Houat, and Ile d'Arz. (See also Brittany seaside, coast and islands for beaches, coastline and Brittany islands)

See a list of all Morbihan communes

Page in French? See Morbihan (Francais)