Blavet Gites, Quistinic, Brittany
Tel/Fax: 00 33 297 397737
Email: info@blavet-gites.com

General Information on the Area near to our Gites

Blavet Valley Lock

This property is set in the heart of the beautiful, wooded hills above the Blavet Valley. The river is navigable and its towpath is perfect for walking and cycling. A short drive away, near the village of Quistinic is the preserved village of Poul Fetan where you can see how life was in Brittany in the past and watch traditional artisans at work.

Beautiful Brittany Countryside

In the other direction at Melrand, is the 'Ville de l'an Mille' a farm village as it was 1000 years ago.

The zoo at Pont Scorf has an excellent collection of well presented animals, or you can visit the museum and fort at Port Louis. Lorient is an attractive port and the impressive 2nd World War submarine pens should not be missed. In August the Interceltic Festival attracts visitors from around the world and as the biggest festival in France is a major event on the Breton calendar.

The city of Auray, with its riverside port of St Goustan, is the place to while away an hour with a glass of wine in one of its portside cafés, or shop for gifts in its narrow streets. A little further away is the Port of Vannes at the head of the stunning 'Golfe du Morbihan,' an inland sea with many small islands, which can be visited by boat. Vannes also has a wonderful market on Wednesdays and Saturdays - go early for easy parking.

 
View of Auray Port and Post Louis

The nearest beaches are the ones between Carnac (visit the alignments of standing stone while you're there), and Port Louis. Particularly recommended is the beach of Erdeven, a huge stretch of sand which goes all the way from the estuary at Etel to the 'Grand Plage' on the Quiberon Peninsula.
If you prefer a livelier beach with cafes and watersport facilities then the town sands of Carnac and La Trinité sur Mer are perfect.

Beautiful Sandy Brittany Beaches

Inland Pontivy, one of the fortress towns of the Dukes of Brittany, with the Blavet flowing through the middle has a good choice of restaurants and shops. Further north the huge lake of Guerledan in the lovely wooded hills is ideal for walks or enjoy the sandy beaches or hire equipment for water sports. Endless miles of country roads to explore along quiet, wooded valleys, beside streams; with many footpaths and cycle paths for the more energetic. The countryside is full of chateaux, chapels, wells, wayside crosses, standing stones and other prehistoric remains, and many other witnesses to the area's long history.

Nowhere in Brittany is far from the coast so you can enjoy the very best seafood whether in the many excellent & reasonable restaurants of from market stalls. The specialities of the area are the crêpes and galettes - sweet and savoury pancakes eaten with a huge variety of fillings. These should be accompanied by a bowl of the local cider, sweet or dry. Other goodies to try if you have a sweet tooth are Koing amman, a delicious version of lardy cake, made with a lot of butter, and Far Breton, a sort of custard tart often with prunes. For savoury dishes pork is the basis of many varieties of paté and sausages.

There is no wine made in Brittany - by ancient decree the Bretons are not allowed to grow vines commercially. The nearest wine comes from the Loire valley and the locals are very fond of the Muscadet from the Nantes region. The national drink is cider which can be bought at all supermarkets, although the best cider is considered to be that brewed and bottled on the farm - look for the signs at the side of the road, you can always taste before you buy but be careful - its surprisingly strong!