There are many reasons to visit Concarneau during your holiday at Manoir du Hilguy. Not only is it France’s third most important fishing port, but it has a wealth of history, sandy beaches and a traditional charm which delights and surprises visitors. Just 35 minutes’ drive from Manoir (via the N165), it’s well worth a visit should you find yourself in need of a day trip.
Catching over 100,000 tonnes of tuna every year, the many fishing boats coming in and out of Concarneau’s busy harbour are the main source of income for the town. In fact, fishing has been the town’s main industry for hundreds of years. You can even get involved yourself – why not pop into the famous fish auction or canneries during your visit? It’s also possible to assist the fishermen in unloading the days catch, or even join an organised trip in an old sardine boat and see what you can hook!
For a deeper insight into the town’s fishing history, the Musée de la Pêche showcases a vast collection of objects, including an old trawler, everyday fishing implements and detailed models. They also host regular events, such as guided tours, workshops and family days throughout the year. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. An adult ticket is €5, while children visit for free.
Of course, if fishing isn’t quite your thing, there’s plenty of other attractions to keep you busy in Concarneau. The Ville Close is by far the most famous and popular tourist attraction – this 15th Century stone fortress is surrounded by ancient walls, which vistors can walk around for some amazing views of the town and surrounding area.
Once you wander across the bridge which separates Ville Close from the rest of the town, and step through the fortified walkway, you’ll find the handful of narrow, cobbled streets which make up the oldest part of Concarneau. Each is filled with timber-framed houses, shops, cafes and restaurants, jostling for position and your attention. Many of the buildings are decorated with bright paint and overflowing window boxes, creating bursts of colour on the historic streets.
Meanwhile, Château de Keriolet can be found on the edge of the town, and is a fantastic example of Gothic architecture, some of which dates all the way back to the 15th Century. The house has been restored to its original beauty and now allows guided visits between June and September. An adult ticket costs around €6.50.
No day in Concarneau is complete without a visit to the beach of the Sables Blancs. As the name suggests, this is a lovely sandy beach, sheltered from the wind and the waves by the Concarneau bay. As well as being an attractive place to build a sandcastle or get lost in a book, it’s also a very popular spot for water sports during July and August, when both children and adults can take part in activities including windsurfing and kayaking. If you’d rather stay on dry land, there’s also a selection of walks to enjoy, including the coastal path and the pushchair and wheelchair-friendly route through Kérandon wood.
Last but not least, Concarneau is the home of one of Brittany’s most colourful and authentic festivals. Every August, Le Festival des Filets Bleus (the festival of blue nets) fills the streets with music, dancing, sculptures and delicious seafood. This is a celebration of the town’s precious fishing industry, and was originally organised to help the families affected by a sardine shortage in the beginning of the 20th Century. Today it’s one of the biggest traditional festivals in Brittany, with open air concerts, parades, fireworks and plenty more to enjoy.
Manoir du Hilguy is a wonderful spot from which to explore Brittany’s countless gems, including the many quaint seaside and fishing towns. If you’d like to find out more about how you can enjoy a holiday here, as well as our 30+ other sites throughout the UK and Europe, then be sure to request a brochure.
