Things to do round and about...
Huelgoat:
The Lake
This is beautiful just to look at, there are also boats for venturing forth and it is a carp fishing lake for which licences are available in the local paper shop, (presse).
Cycling
A new bike hire shop opened in Huelgoat in 2005 – Velocity 20, 35 rue de Charles de Gaulle. Tel. 0033 02 98 99 93 81, and is run by Patrick and Caragh Sanders Wright. It is situated facing the lake and opposite the campsite. There is a complete service offered, sales, service and bike hire. Plus Patrick is an expert on mountain bikes. Bike Hire Adults 10 euros and Children 7 euros per day.
Horse riding
Centre Equestres, Kermabilou. (Nr. Huelgoat.). Riding lessons. Qualified English speaking instructors. Tel: Wanny 0033 02 98 78 46 after 8 p.m.
Walking
There are many walks to be taken in the famous Fôret de Huelgoat varying from short and easy but very scenic to much more challenging. Easiest of all is the former railway track from Morlaix to Nantes which if you walk down to the D114 from the house, turn left and down to the bottom of the hill you will find the track with Morlaix to the left and Locmaria Berrien etc to the right. The woods of the area are characterised by huge granite boulders, tumbling streams and Breton legend. You might be lucky enough
to see deer and of course other wild life and plants indigenous to the area. Huelgoat is close also to the Monts D’Arree a Dartmoor like area and the highest point in Brittany. There are walking maps at La Grange for the local area and Nantes Brest Canal .
Camp Arthur is one of the most well known historic sites of Central Brittany and the walk starts just outside Huelgoat on the Carhaix road. For those unable to walk far an amazing group of boulders can be seen from the bridge near to the Tourist Information Office which is situated on the road that leads to Berrien. Just beyond the TIC and opposite the Intermarche supermarket is the turning to The Trembling rock which is an enormous piece of granite seemingly balanced and
ready to roll, however it has been
there a long time!
Salon de Thé
This is the main teashop and is situated in the square opposite the fountain. It has a good menu and delicious cakes, also a very reasonable breakfast. This is also a good bakery – the pain au cereal and almond pastries are very good indeed.
Hotel du Lac
This is part of the Logis de France hotel group. They have a good menu, and the most superbly light pizzas. The main courses and pizzas start at around 7.50euros. We recently ate there on a Friday evening when we were entertained by a musical group and French dancing which was all really good. This hotel is open for meals every evening bar Monday. Their bar is open during the day. There are several other bars in the town including an Irish bar.
Creperie
- Le Pont Neuf Creperie
- Rue de lac, Huelgoat. This creperie overlooks the beautiful lake and has chairs outside and in. They do good crepes and icecream. Open all day and week-end evenings in season.
Markets
In Brittany fete (feast) day means market day and there is not a town or village that does not hold its own unique type of market. It is worth taking time to explore the colourful goods and fresh foodstuffs, paella straight from the huge wok, saucisses gallette, a delicious type of crepe, fresh oysters and coquilles Saint Jacques to name but a few.
- Huelgoat Thursday morning
- Carhaix Saturday morning
- Guerlesquin Monday morning
- Vanne Wednesday and Saturday morning
- Roscoff Wednesday morning
- Rennes Every day except Sunday and public holidays in the central food halls.
- Quimper Organic market every Friday afternoon 3pm – 7.30pm in the Kerfeunten car park.
Guerlesquin is one of 20 medieval towns known as the Petites Cites and is a beautiful place well worth a visit with a huge square surrounded by old granite houses and interesting buildings including a 17 th century turreted building in the centre which was the former courthouse.
Carhaix Plouguer is a useful town with a high street full of good shops, plus supermarkets on the outskirts. There is a bowling alley and go-kart track. This complex is beside the new bypass but access is from the town itself, not far from the fire station: go past the site of the Diwan School . Open 7 days a week. Tel: 0033 2 98 93 03 20.
Good places to eat, plus clubs and bars...
Morlaix
North of Huelgoat, this is a busy town with sailing, fishing etc., and very good eating houses. There is a beautiful medieval part of the town with fascinating buildings. The largest architectural feature in the town is the double tier viaduct which is enormous and is in the centre of the town. Near the viaduct on the east side of the square is a flight of stone steps leading to St. Melaines Church with its 17 th Century organ. In winter an ice skating rink is set up under the arches.
When coming from Roscoff if you take the route to Morlaix par la corniche the road winds along the estuary which is a very pretty route through Morlaix and on to Huelgoat and generally avoids the traffic leaving the ferry.
Quimper
Quimper is the capital town lying a few miles inland from the sea at the confluence of the rivers Steir, Jed and Odet, and is a good town to visit. The medieval centre is in rue Kereon ( Shoemakers Street ) which leads off from the main square beside St. Corentins cathedral. On this same street you will find an excellent tea shop La Macaronerie Rolland-Padou – wonderful macaroons, plus chocolates, cakes and tea! Quimper art gallery is worth a visit with work covering 16 th to 20 th century.
Organic market every Friday afternoon 3pm – 7.30pm in the Kerfeunten car park.
Landerneau
Landerneau is a stylish shopping town with streets lined with 17 th century houses. There are smart restaurants and shops here and the town is situated on a beautiful estuary. It is another of the 20 medieval towns known as the Petites Cites.
Nantes Brest Canal
Although no longer used commercially is a very pretty place to walk fish and cycle and there are maps in the house to follow. Kingfishers are to be seen if you are lucky. The easiest route is from the Carhaix road.
Roscoff
Famous for lobsters, crayfish, onions, artichokes, cauliflowers and potatoes to the rest of France and overseas. Working small port as well as the ferry port. A neat little town with cafes, art galleries etc. Trips to the Isle de Batz leave from the ferry port.
Isle de Batz
Situated 2 miles off Roscoff (15 mins by boat)the island is 2.5miles long and is a great day out for children. Its lighthouse is 114’high with 211 steps.
Beaches
The Brittany coastal scenery is breathtaking and all within easy driving distance including the Crozen peninsular, a favourite for bird watchers. Take the D10 towards Brest from the Roscoff road then take a right hand turn towards Mogueriec or Kerouzere which will take you to the most beautiful isolated sandy beaches, with sand dunes and boulders for clambering over, another childrens’ paradise. There is a similar coastal road east of Roscoff and Locquirec a pretty little port with a good art gallery and several
good eating.
How to get to Brittany:
Ferry
This is the most popular way of getting to Brittany. Regular daily services operate from the ports on the south coast of Britain, across the English Channel to France. The crossings from Plymouth to Roscoff and Portsmouth to St Malo are the quickest routes to our cottage in Brittany.
We are appropriately 45 minute drive from Roscoff and two & half hours' drive from St Malo. The ports of Caen and Cherbourg are a bit further away.
Brittany Ferries - SeaFrance - LD Lines
|
Ferry Ports ->
|
Huelgoat
|
|
Roscoff
|
45 mins
|
|
St. Malo
|
2.5 hrs
|
|
Caen
|
4 hrs
|
|
Cherbourg
|
5 hrs
|
|
Le Havre
|
6 hrs
|
|
Calais
|
8 hrs
|
By Air
There are Ryanair flights to Brittany from London Stansted to Dinard and Flybe.com flights from Exeter and Southampton to Brest.
Tunnel
If you don't fancy travelling by ferry or flying over, why not try the tunnel? Many holidaymakers combine a trip to Brittany with a visit to another area of France.
