- Frequented since 1860 by artists who launched the fashion of Breton subjects and from 1870 by a colony of American artists, Pont-Aven was most famous in 1886 when the Pont-Aven School was formed. This great moment in the History of Art is best shown by Gauguin, Bernard, Sérusier... The aim of the Museum is to perpetuate the memory of artists who worked in the area and particularly those of Pont-Aven. It welcomes 50,000 visitors a year.
WHAT TO VISIT Museum. The Aven valley. Chapels. Mills. The port. The places which inspired the artists of the Pont-Aven School; Bois d'Amour, Chapel of Trémalo with its "Christ Jaune". Guided tours of town and Museum (4 tours a day in season).
LOCAL EVENTS Street dancing (14th July). "Pardon" of the "Fleurs d'Ajoncs" (religious procession) (1st Sunday in August). Periodic exhibitions at the Museum. Musical evenings every Friday (July and August).
- Near the main Nantes-Quimper road (Kerampaou exit), Névez is a particulary calm community surrounded by green wooded countryside. The seven kilometers of coastline include several beaches and some charming little harbours.
WHAT TO VISIT Following the marked out footpaths, you can see the salt-water pond of Hénan and its tidal water-mill, the chapels, the hamlet of Kerascoët, with its thatched cottages, the little harbours of Kerdruc and Port-Manec'h. The beaches of Rospico and Raguénès and, at low tide, the island of Raguénès. Art exhibition at Kerascoët.
LOCAL EVENTS "Fest-noz" (Breton musical and dancing evenings). "Fête du Hénan". "Fête de l'Aven" at Port-Manec'h (15th August). Entertainment organized by Tourist Office. "Fête des chaumières" at Kerascoët and numerous Breton feasts in July and August. Firework display (14th July). Exhibition in Chapel of Ste-Barbe in July and August. 15th August : local entertainment at Port-Manec'h.
- Flat oyster beds of Bélon, sea-food and gastronomy. Situated between the green estuaries of the Aven and the Bélon (sailing, canoeing, fishing, small beach, long walks, photography). The surrounding countryside is undulated and wooded (good for cycling). Famous sailing-school of Robras.
WHAT TO VISIT Coastal walk of the Bélon fort (artists' promenade 10 km). The water-mill circuit (a 5 km walk along the banks of the river Bélon). Five chapels : St-Léger, St-Gilles, Notre-Dame-de-Trémor, Ste-Marguerite, Trébellec. The picturesque little ports of Rosbras and Bélon. The oyster culture establishments. Numerous places by the sea which were painted by artists from the Pont-Aven School. "La Maison de l'Huître" : history of Bélon oysters, various exhibitions about oyster fishing. Kaolins artificial lake (fishing, place for camper vehicles, children's playground, picnic area and walks).
LOCAL EVENTS Several folk festivals and religious processions : "Kouan-Freil" (July), "Lijou" (August). Traditional evening (14th August). Summer exhibitions : craftwork, local history, painting and a collection of sea-birds.
- More than 14 km of varied coastline, idented by narrow wooded estuaries in which three picturesque ports nestle : Bélon, Brigneau and Merrien. The invigorating Atlantic air mingles with the peacefulness of the countryside and its woods. Due to its geographical position, Moëlan-sur-Mer offers many varied and beautiful excursions. Fishing, sailing, yachting, sea trips. Beaches of Kerfany-les-Pins and Trenez. Fine sand creeks. seven signposted walking circuits. 100 km of cross-country cycling circuits.
WHAT TO VISIT The ports of Bélon, Brigneau and Merrien. La Pointe de Kerfany-les-Pins. Chapels of St-Philibert, St-Roch and Notre-Dame-de-Lanriot : dovecote of Kermoguer, menhirs, dolmens and covered stone alleys. Guided visits to St-Philibert chapel during Easter holidays and from June 15th to September 30th.
LOCAL EVENTS "Pardon" and "Fête de St-Philibert" (religious procession) (4th Sunday in August). "Pardon" of Notre-Dame-de-Lanriot (1st Sunday in September). Art Exhibitions.
- A rural district with three bell towers, three aspects sea, countryside, forest, situated at the entrance to Cornouaille, in the Aven area on the "Route des Peintres" (Painters' Trail). The southerly facing beaches and the picturesque little harbours of Le Pouldu and Doélan are much appreciated by painters, anglers and sailors. The wooded banks of the estuary of the Laïta are part of the legendary forest of Carnoët.
