HEADING FOR THE OPEN SEA
Discover Lorient in Morbihan
Where is Lorient?
Where is Lorient?The largest city in the Morbihan region, Lorient was built at the mouth of the Scorff and Blavet rivers, not far from the Gulf of Morbihan. It lies 60 km west of the campsite near Vannes, and less than 70 km east of Quimper.
Its urban area includes the communes of Port-Louis and Larmor-Plage to the south, Lanester to the east, and Ploemeur to the west. It is served by roads linking Nantes and Brest.
Welcome to Morbihan!
AT THE HEART OF NAVAL HISTORY
What to do in Lorient
Lorient is a town of just under 60,000 inhabitants in the Morbihan department of Brittany, at the mouth of the Blavet river. It’s a city of flowers and fascinating history. Start by visiting Lorient’s tourist office on the Quai de Rohan in the marina to pick up a map and some information. To the north of the basin is the Enclos du Port, once occupied by the Compagnie des Indes. Take a look at the Tour de la Découverte, the Gabriel Hotel and the Maison de l’Agglomération.
A little further west, you’ll pass the Grand Théâtre with its modern architecture, then climb up to the Notre-Dame-de-Victoire church. You can then cross the city to take a breath of fresh air in the middle of Lorient’s green lung, the superb Etang du Ter. If you follow it eastwards, you’ll come to the Keroman base, home to the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly, the Flore submarine and the submarine museum. On the other side of the river, in the citadel of Port-Louis, you’ll find Lorient’s most interesting museum, the Musée de la Compagnie des Indes. It tells the story of the French East India Company and naval trade in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Musée Nationale de la Marine is also located here.
If you’re lucky enough to be on vacation in Morbihan in early August, don’t miss the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, a major cultural event in France where European Celtic culture is the focus of numerous concerts and exhibitions. Vous pouvez également visiter le marché de Lorient, un des plus beaux marchés du Morbihan.
Lorient and its seaside activities
But Lorient is also home to a multitude of sea-related activities to be enjoyed in the surrounding area: Le Fort Bloqué, Plouhinec, Port-Louis and Larmor-Plage.
Many water sports can be practised on the coast near Lorient: surfing, kitesurfing, sailing, kayaking, paddling, scuba diving…
Schools are available: if you want to learn to surf, there’s a school in Le Fort Bloqué, if you prefer sailing, try the Centre Nautique de Kerguélen in Larmor-Plage and if you’re tempted by a paddle adventure on the Blavet or at sea, take a tour of the Meria paddle school in Larmor-Plage.
For lazy days on the beach, you’ll be spoilt for choice. One of the most beautiful beaches in Morbihan, Plage de Magouëro, is in Plouhinec.
But there are others nearby, such as Plage de la Falaise, Plage de Fort Bloqué and Plage de Kerguelen.
One of Lorient’s must-sees is the island of Groix, a wild island with chiseled cliffs. This photogenic island offers some of the most beautiful beaches and coves in Morbihan. You’ll have enough to spend a day or more on this small island 8 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide: the Grands Sables beach, Tahiti Beach, Porh Skeudoul cove…
The best way to explore the island is to rent a bike, as you won’t have time to tour the island on foot. Boats to Groix leave from the Lorient marina.
Culture and heritage in Lorient, Brittany
Founded in the 18th century, Lorient is inextricably linked with the history of the Compagnie des Indes. The Port Louis museum retraces this epic through fascinating exhibitions. The Port-Louis citadel is also home to the Musée National de la Marine. Lorient will enthrall history buffs and the simply curious alike with its emblematic sites: the former submarine base is an opportunity to enter the authentic Flore submarine.
Nearby, the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly takes you on a journey back in time to sailing techniques: the future is also waiting to be discovered, through incredible innovations that visitors are invited to try out. With the Musée du Faouët, discover Breton painters through the ages. Lorient’s heritage can be embraced in a playful way aboard the little train from Port-Louis, or through an entertaining treasure hunt through the town. Enthralling for young and old alike!
Lodging
THE CALL OF THE SEA
Nature and landscapes in Lorient
The Lorient roadstead is one of the most beautiful in Brittany. The tour de la rade is a must for nature lovers: 29 km long, it can be done by bike, on foot, or simply by boat, departing from the port. The city of Lorient also boasts a number of remarkable parks and natural areas in which to relax: from the banks of the Ter to the streams of the Chevassu garden, not forgetting the water mirror in the Jules Ferry park, they are also great for cooling off on hot summer days.
Finally, Lorient will seduce you with the diversity of its beaches, from the dreamy backdrop of the beaches on the island of Groix to the wild landscapes of Kerguélen, not forgetting the charm of the wooden cabins on the Grande Plage in Port-Louis and the many little secret coves to discover.
Lorient Interceltic Festival
This historic festival, known throughout France by the acronym FIL, began in the 1970s as a competition for bagadoù. Since the 1990s, it has been one of the country’s biggest festivals. A major player in the promotion and dissemination of Breton and Celtic cultures, the Lorient Interceltic Festival hosts concerts, dance performances and competitions over 10 days every August.
The 2020 edition has been cancelled due to the worldwide Covid-19 epidemic. We’ll be back again in 2021, with concert nights, Fest Noz, dinner-concerts, the Prix Musical de Bretagne, the national bagadoù championship, folk evenings, master classes, wakes and grand parades.
Where to eat in Lorient
- Le jardin des curés: 14 rue Bayard, an address for lovers of simplicity and quality, with an à l’ardoise menu and 100% home cooking based on fresh local produce. Slate menu at 29 euros, à la carte dishes from 10 to 18 euros.
- Le Yachtman: restaurant and cellar on rue Poissonnière, Le Yachtman offers fish and meat specialties from the Limousin region, accompanied by estate wines. Menus and formulas from 22 to 45 euros.
- Le Belvédère: Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, a friendly restaurant offering gourmet dishes to take away or eat in. Lunch menus from 18 to 22 euros; à la carte dishes from 15 to 25 euros.
- Le Sabayon: on rue Blanqui, close to the station, Le Sabayon is recommended by the Michelin guide for the elegance and refinement of its cuisine. Sublime, colorful dishes to match the flavors.
- Le Jardin Gourmand : gourmet market cuisine in a warm, trendy setting on rue Jules Simon. The spotlight is on Breton produce. Formulas from 27 to 46 euros.
Discover the surrounding area
