Monday, 8 October 2018

Saturday 29th September 2018 – Vannes, Brittany, France






After a late start we caught the bus into the centre of Vannes, arriving in the Place de la Republique where the market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) starts. We spent a couple of hours wandering through the market (a favourite pastime when in France) tempted by all the food but resisting because we would have had to carry it around for the rest of the day. The covered fish market was intriguing, with lobsters and crabs waving their claws and the shrimps wriggling – it was all very fresh! During a quick visit to the Tourist Information Office at the port, we got a map with suggested city walking routes and then, after having seen all that lovely food in the market, we decided that it was time for lunch. The fresh salmon as a starter and the tuna main course were excellent, washed down with white wine and the Coupe de Chocolat (ice cream) finished the meal off beautifully. And all with the backdrop of the harbour, excellent!
After lunch we tramped the streets following the two walking routes. The first one took us through the streets of the walled town, passing many half-timbered houses and telling us about the more interesting ones. The second walk took us along the outside of the town walls through lovely gardens and past towers and gates. In between we visited Chateau Gaillard, home to the history and archaeology museum. This was quite small but had very well presented exhibits, especially those of the prehistoric artefacts from many sites in the area.
As we completed the walk along the outside of the town walls, I heard what sounded like live Breton music. Sure enough, as we got to the port we saw people watching a group performing. They were Bagad Bleidi Kamorh and they sounded very good. In need of Breton music for my collection, I bought their CD ‘Comment qu’sey?’.
Photos: ‘Vannes et sa Femme’ the famous sign of the town is on a Mediaeval building and is thought to have been an advertisement; Some of the p-rehistoric stone axes found at the tumulus of Mane-er-Hroek and displayed in the museum; A wonderful display outside a Vannes restaurant – the girl is just trying out the pram; The beautiful gardens outside the town wall.

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