I love Vannes. It is sooo pretty and charming and the fortification is just fabulous. Timber framed houses, a port, interesting architecture, winding alleys with chic boutiques. So much character. I think it is my favourite town in the immediate radius.
Founded over 2,000 years ago at the inland edge of the Gulf of Morbihan, the growth of Vannes was based on its harbour.
The Romans provided the basis for the medieval fortified town. Towards the end of the 14th century the town became one of the favourite residences of the Dukes of Brittany. I am not surprised. The battlements were extended towards the port, doubling the area within the town walls. They are most impressive.
Within the town walls many timber-frame houses can be found in the narrow streets and I just love looking at them and imagining life in the 'old' days. They surround the Cathedral, which was rebuilt from the 15th century onwards. This is a very impressive Cathedral with many many confession boxes! This “wooden town” is also complemented by a “stone town” dating from the classical period.
If you get a chance go! Have lunch at one of the cafes near the portal gate to the old town whilst listening to the yachts masts tinkle from the gentle movement of the water.
4 comments:
Aww, V-town, my "chez moi" in France (I lived there for five years). Have you gone on one of boat tours of the golf yet? It's great a thing to do on a warm spring day before all of the tourists arrive (I used to work at the harbor office).
And the cafés at the port are nice for a coffee, but they're rip-offs for lunch (I worked in one of them for a while too). My absolute favorite restaurant is "Le Gavroche" on rue de la fontaine (in the st patern quartier). It is THE best restaurant in Vannes (IMO) and the owners are wonderful - they used to live in New York, though I can't vouch for their English. Their food though is absolutely delicious, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Plus they give you a free shot of their homemade banana-vanilla rhum at the end of the meal. Try to reserve ahead of time though, they're often booked full!
Or otherwise, there are two really good crêperies intra-muros. If you're walking up from the port, there's one on the right just after you go through the 'porte saint-vincent' (you'll see a knight in shining armor out front) or there's the "Crêperie Saint-Exupery" another block up on the left (in the main square).
Ah, small world. Thanks for the restaurant tip. Will look for it when there next week. yes those portside cafes are expensive. Captive market for tourists too.
No, not gone on boat tour but plan to. We must make time for some non renovation leisure time and continue to familiarise ourselves with the area for our visitors and for us too.
Thanks Ksam. I will give your love to Vannes
Thanks! I'll be there in about two weeks though for work and to make a dreaded trip to the préfecture. There is one café by the port that's worth eating at though - it's the one just on the left after you go through the porte st vincent - it looks seedy, but they do the best moules frites in town!
Courage jusqu'à Vendredi ;-)
Suis dans les bonnes résolutions, les envies de cuisine saines...et de Zen... bref, ta recette me tente bcp et me parle bien !
Dis, c'est quoi le Garam massala
Des bises !
Agnès
restaurant vannes
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