Brittany: Some Local Towns

The first impression is of solidly built houses with slate roofs, able to cope with any weather. This photo of Pont-Croix, the small town nearest the campsite, is typical.

It might look rather dour and somewhat English, compared to the vibrant colours of the Mediterranean, but there is plenty of charm and interest here. Take for instance this intricate 14^th century porch on the main church.

There is also a tide mill in the estuary, not in working order, but well preserved none the less. You can see the water entry points at the bottom of the building. The estuary looks like it could do with a good clean out for the mill to be working efficiently.

The old town centre is at the top of the hill around the church where there are cobbled streets and old buildings. In this picture we are looking towards a 17^th century Ursuline convent church that is oddly marked on my tourist information brochure as the “ancient clothes drying shed”! This shed was clearly of some historical importance-  perhaps the equivalent of the school bike sheds, tucked round the back, where the nuns went for a quiet ciggy.

On to Douarnenez, a larger town and an important fishing port, even today. It could be described as “shabby chic” as demonstrated by the peeling paintwork on this row of (originally) smart buildings overlooking the pleasure port.

This is the pleasure port that the buildings face. The white buildings on the left in the photo are part of the modern fishing port complex, landing mackerel, sardines, tuna and lobster. The town also produces the greatest amount of canned fish in Europe.

 Along the prom is a building housing a fishing magazine. It was built in 1914 as a seaman’s mission to look after those who had fallen on hard times or difficulties It was founded by a wealthy  American who was moved by the plight of the unemployed fishermen when he visited the area before the First Word War.

You pass many individual cottages around the town, like this pair, the one on the right looking at you with astonished top window eyes.

It has to be said, they do make an effort with flowers in all the towns and villages. This restaurant is a bit OTT, but quite striking. Don’t think there’s a risk of anyone nicking the bike.

It’s an area that we have warmed to- “warm” being the operative word as it’s been over 30 degrees these last few days. That’s not typical for Brittany; it’s usually like west coast UK but slightly warmer.