Local Attractions

At Le Venec you really are in the centre of all the local attractions......

..........in the heart of the Armoric National Park.

Here are just some ideas of the sites and sounds around Le Venec.

From long sandy beaches to mussels and chips; from penguins to roller-coasters, from trembling rocks to bright pink macaroons, it really is all here, ready to be discovered!

The beautiful sandy beach of Pentrez Plage is half an hour away.

Pentrez is wonderful for children with safe waters and fantastic rock pools. Equally for the more adventurous there is kite-surfing and jet-skis on offer. At 3.5km long the beach is long enough to cater for all needs without tripping over each other and even in the height of the season there is ample room to spread out and enjoy the sunshine.

Pentrez-Plage is the largest beach in the bay, but there are also numerous smaller beaches waiting to be explored.

Cities

The beautiful cathedral city of Quimper is just half an hour away. It has a wonderful indoor market and the town centre is packed with street cafés where you can watch the world go by whilst enjoying the local speciality - macaroons!

Whilst here you could also visit Carrefour, one of the regions largest hypermarket chains but remember - don't rush, you're on holiday and in France nothing happens in a hurry.

A naval city Brest is also half an hour's drive from Le Venec and has so much to offer.

The town hall presides over the Rue de Siam pedestrianised shopping area which is full of fascinating shops, boutiques, chocolatiers and bookshops. Restaurants line the streets, parking is free at lunch time and easy to find and it is worth a trip just to enjoy the fountains in front of the "Hôtel de Ville" where the children come to play.

Of course you will also find the theatre ("Quartz") and a multiplex cinema here which shows the original film versions fairly frequently.

Moors & the Roche Tremblante

Within half an hour of the peace and tranquility of Le Venec the Menez Meur and the Menez Hom offer some breathtaking scenery with stunning views over miles and miles of Breton countryside. Perfect for those who enjoy rambling and a must for bird watchers.

In Huelgoat you will find the famous Roche Tremblante in the heart of the forest. It is said that if you find the right spot on this enormous rock that one man can make it tremble. A lovely town with walks and restaurants by the river and through the forest.

A little closer to home (within 15 minutes) is the pictoresque town of Chateaulin with it's weir, salmon observatory , quaint streets and some stunning architecture.

Le Faou, situated on the estuary, is a beautiful spot with cobbled streets, scenic walks by the waters edge and some lovely restaurants.

A little further afield (half an hour again) is Locranon a medieval town, the centre of which has been conserved. There are more fascinating shops, restaurants, a beautiful old church and horse and cart rides on offer.

Swimming Pools are dotted all around the region. There are the "piscine ludique" with the slides, wave pools etc. in Quimper and Landerneau. There is also a hydrotherapy pool with Turkish Baths, Steam Rooms & Jacuzzi in Quimper.

Or there is the more simple local pool in Chateaulin which has a childrens' pool with small slide and a larger pool for the more able swimmers. Perfect if you are looking for the quieter option.

Remember for all pools in France the boys/men will need to have proper swimming trunks as shorts are not permitted.

The Récré des Trois Curés is a wonderful adventure park just north of Brest taking up several hectares of ground and offering a wealth of activities for all ages.

There is everything from pedalos to the River Splash, the roller coaster to trampolines and quad bikes to roundabouts. A really full day out.

Oceanopolis is an absolute must, regardless of age! It is the largest marine research facility in France and is a really excellent day out.

There are three areas to marvel at - Polar, Tropical & Temperate - and you will find everything from penguins and seals to sharks and star fish.

For more information click on the link: Oceanopolis

The biscuit & chocolate factory at Pleyben.......

The calvary at Plougastel Daoulas

and endless walks to discover the famous Finistère lighthouses.........

During the months of June - August Brittany is alive with the sound of Breton music and the spectacle of the Breton festival. Whether it be during the day or in the evening (Fest Noz) they are well worth a visit. The music is fantastic, the food is wonderful and in the evening the fireworks are stunning - and very loud!

It may seem like early days but organisation is already well under way and accommodation is already filling up for Brest 2008 - a huge maritime festival that takes place every four years. Click here for more information.

With the local speciality being sea food and an abundance of crêperies, and of course this being France, you will never be short of wonderful places to eat. "Moules frites" is a real favourite.

There are great restaurants in Lopérec and Le Faou as well as Pleyben. Pizzerias, traditional Breton fare and even a pizza take-away in Pont-de-Buis just 5 minutes away.

Inevitably there is never a McDonalds too far away and you'll find these in Chateaulin, Brest and Quimper!

For a great meal out - and excellent value for money - during the day you could try the E Leclerc or Carrefour supermarket cantines which are incredibly popular with the locals. A three course meal will set you back around €7.00 or around £5.00.