TY LOUISETTE GITE

Pontivy is an historic urban area in the centre of Brittany. It is made up of two towns wrapped around each other. There is the medieval old town with it's narrow winding streets and half-timbered buildings and the geometric Napoleonic town complete with imposing Hotel de Ville, courthouse and old barrack buildings arranged around the market square which fronts onto the River Blavet.

Twice in it's history Pontivy has been known as Napoleonville (the town of Napoleon). It was intended as his base of operations and was heavily garrisoned. The town is situated in a rural part of Brittany known as the valley of the Blavet and this river runs though the town meeting the Nantes-Brest canal by the Ile des Recollets.

The town boasts the magnificent 15th century Chateau de Rohan as its centrepiece, built by the powerful Ducs de Rohan. Guided tours are available within and art exhibitions are occasionally staged.

Pontivy is home to a number of restaurants and bars such as the "Plaza Café" which serves fantastic coffees, cocktails and beers and "Le Rivoli" complete with a stylish art nouveau inspired interior and delicious lunchtime menu. There are also numerous shops, boutiques and several small supermarkets and the town has plenty of free parking. The weekly market is held on Mondays in the central plaza. You can walk or cycle the 6 km directly to Pontivy from the gite via the canal towpath.

The surrounding countryside is replete with small villages boasting innumerable chapels of architectural and historic interest. There are well laid out walks and cycle paths for you to discover the treasures of central Brittany.

Furthur Afield...

The impressive Lac de Guerledan is 20 minutes drive from Kergouet. Here you can laze on the popular south facing beach, swim, canoe, walk or enjoy a meal in one of the several restaurants on the shore. Treat yourself to a voyage and enjoy a meal on board the lake cruisers as you take in the scenery. Boat owners can fish, sail or water-ski. Built to provide hydroelectric power and clean water, it interrupted the course of the Nantes-Brest canal - the lock gates are still in place under many metres of water.

The partially restored Abbaye de Bon Repos is situated at the western end of the lake and has walks, forests a shop and a restaurant. There is an excellent Sunday market here throughout the summer. Every year it plays host to a spectacular Son et Lumiere (Pays de Conomor) event with drama, fireworks and light-shows to take the breath away (see links).

There are many forests in central Brittany, perfect for long walks or watching the wildlife.

In Pontivy there are facilities for ten-pin bowling and a cinema. The nearby town of Loudeac has an excellent leisure pool boasting rapid currents and a flume. Horse riding is available at nearby stables.

Why not try your hand at a one day stained-glass course during your stay. Just 75€ for a facinating day out including lunch and you will have a hand-made glass panel as a souvenir of your holiday. Click on Ty Skol for more information.

Large towns within an hour to an hour and a half include Rennes, Lorient, Quimper and Vannes. All have excellent shopping and great character and Lorient boasts the immensely popular Interceltique festival every summer (see links). Take the opportunity to visit Pont-Aven, it is mainly known because of the group of artists who flocked round Émile Bernard and Paul Gauguin, and who were joined in 1888 by Paul Sérusier. Enjoy exploring the galleries, craft shops and riverside walks the town has to offer.

Smaller towns worth visiting are all around. Auray is facinating, clustered around a steep sided harbour, Carnac is a real seaside resort with outstanding beaches and lots of fun shops and restaurants. It also boasts the extraordinary standing stones aligned in straight stretches, many kilometres long.

Ancient churches all around Pontivy host the annual Art dans les Chapelles exhibition of contemporary art and sculpture. Several circuits are organised for those who wish to enjoy both the art and the heritage (see links).

Beaches to the south are reached in around 50 minutes and have lovely sand and shallow pools. The coast to the north is more rugged but equally beautiful. Allow and hour and a quarter for the drive.

If you fancy an adventure, the world famous Mont Saint-Michel is reachable for a daytrip. A number of our guests have taken the opportunity to visit the walled island town, exploring it's narrow streets, breathtaking views and learning about it's heritage.

Canal...

The Nantes-Brest Canal, 364km in length, was built on the orders of Napoleon to link the two ports. This was at a time of great tension between Britain and France and Napoleon wished to secure access to the sea in case of a blockade. Construction began in 1811 and was finally inaugurated by Napoleon III in 1858. In it's heyday it was used to transport coal, slate and fertilizer. The building of the dam which created the reservoir at Lac de Guerledan in the 1920's cut the canal in two and made the journey from Nantes to Brest via the waterway impossible. Although a boat lift was promised when the reservoir was being constructed it was never built.

The canal passes within a few metres of Ty Louisette and the towpath that accompanies it can be followed for many kilometres on foot or on bicycles. Fishing is available subject to a permit which can be bought locally for various durations. The cost is reasonable and covers fishing in the whole department of Morbihan. You can upgrade to a Brittany wide permit if you wish which would allow you to fish in Lac de Guerledan.

Nearby there are several sites devoted to wind energy with spectacular turbines to marvel at. Access to the turbines is easy, you can put your ear against them and hear them working.

Whichever direction you take from Kergouet you will come across lock gates or écluses. Each gate has a large reservoir pool beside it and these attract interesting birdlife. Kingfishers, white egrets, moorhens, mallards, herons and grebes are all regularly seen within a kilometre of the Gite. In addition the many oak trees in the region make it an excellent habitat for jays and woodpeckers. Owls are heard most nights in the summer and autumn and large birds of prey can be seen circling in the warm air. In the autumn bagfuls of sweet chestnuts can be collected for roasting and eating.