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Introduction

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History

Golfe du Morbihan

From Vannes take any of the minor roads, like the D 101, west and it will undoubtedly lead you to a tiny harbor. You can make a day or two excursions to the golfe de Morbihan. It's in itself almost too pretty. On a sunny day the vast expanse of water is dotted with little boats negotiating between the green and intriguing islands. If ever you ask how many islands there are in the gulf, you will always receive a different answer.

L'Ile aux Moines

According to a legend there are 365-one for each day of the year--- but grumps say that there are less since the islets whocome dry at low tide, don't count! The two biggest islands are l'ILE AUX MOINES and l'ILE D'ARZ, where you can find a lot of megaliths. They are connected to the mainland by ferries, a very cheap and versatile way of viewing the panorama. You can also make round trips, which take several hours and are quite expensive. A recommended routine is to drive to Port Blanc to catch the ferry across to the Ile aux Moines, picnic under pine trees, make a swim on a sandy beach and catch the boat back (Vedette Verte). And you have several planes like that. Whatever pan is adopted, the gulf is an experience not to be missed.
The Ile aux Moines is the most beautiful: 5 km with mimosas, figs, palm trees, eucalyptus. Breaches, cliffs, woods with romantic names, heaths and pines, and a steep path up to the old village. Plenty of creperies and bars obliterate hunger and thirst.

Ile d'Arz

The Ile d'Arz is only well known because it has a good restaurant: "L'Escale", open from April to October. Excellent food and not so expensive as you would expect, though tourist-oriented. A few rooms are for rent.
But let's return to the mainland. The Pointe d'ARRADON, brings instant reward. It's a cluster of houses, with a dinghy harbor and a good hotel. Beaches are packed on week ends. But what a pleasure and happiness to walk along the water's edge in either direction: a pure delight! A-Island after island succeeding at the horizon. . The most you can see of human presence is a fisherman pulling up his boat or dog out for his daily exercise.
You can drive further through LARMOR-BADEN, on the tip of a promontory, a little fishing port and an n oyster cultivation center. The course is set on a natural landscape within a bird sanctuary. PORT NAVALO, with yachting harbor, a new resort has developed around one of the biggest yachting harbors on the Atlantic Coast. A stone's throw away, Port Navalo is witness to a lengthier maritime activity
At the tip of the gulf's southern peninsula is the peninsula of Rhuys, wonderfully combining authentic seaside links with soft Breton climate. This is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts, and our site at St Gildas is ideally situated near a long south facing sandy beach, on this unspoilt peninsula. The site itself is divided up by mature hedges and trees, with grassed emplacements set in small groups. A lighthouse faces due west. It is here that Julius Caesar is said to have watched his fleet destroy that of the Veneti.

Abbye de Gildas-Rhuys

On the southern shore of the peninsula is the monastery of St.GILDAS DE RHUYS, founded by St.Gildas in the 6th century. Surrounded by big and mysterious menhirs, the remarkable 11th century abbey church was run by the famous Abelard.
The village of St Gildas de Rhuys is close by for daily shopping and there is a wide choice of shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment at PORT DU CROUESTY, a lively, newly developed marina port all of which are open both early and late in the season.

Bibliography:

Giot P.R., " La Bretagne des Mégalithes ", édition Ouest-France, Nouvel H., " Les aménagements touristiques dans le Golfe du Morbihan: contraintes et possibilités ", 1988.
Thommen P., " La nature dans le Golfe du Morbihan ", édition: Ouest-France.Claude Devenn: Secrets et Gloires du Morbihan (Ed : France-Empire 68 ) Burl, Aubrey. Megalithic Brittany : a guide to over 350 ancient sites and monuments. London, Thames and Hudson, 1985. Le Cunff (L.) : Bretagne du bout du monde, A. Bonne, 1876.

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