South Brittany, views of the sea

Located on the Jade coast, La Plaine-sur-Mer is one of those small paradises for shellfish hunters. Whether you like hunting for shellfish, or fishing with hand nets or square fishing nets, the possibilities seem endless along the town's six beaches. At low tide, the beach of Port Giraud is the meeting place for connoisseurs of oysters, clams and other types of mollusks. What makes the town famous, however, are its mussels. Familiarize yourself with the regulations when you arrive.

A few kilometers northwest of the beach at La Baule, the 'Land of Salt” begins. As far as the eye can see, the Guérande salt marshes and evaporation ponds offer a unique landscape. Depending on the time of day, the pools form a mosaic of mirrors in shades of blue, pink, green and silver. Guided tours by salt pan workers and naturalists complete this immersion into the culture of salt. And don't leave without a bag of coarse salt or fleur de sel...

Step on board this superb ketch and discover the Vilaine in a truly new light. This boat built in 1968 using rare iroko wood and based on plans from 1923 provides an unforgettable journey departing from La Roche Bernard. Sailing with the wind, Skipper Bruno Denis tacks while you enjoy a cocktail – or a night's stay on board. Sailing on the river and much farther back in time ...

Who has never heard of Carnac? The three big groups of menhir alignments are known all over the world. These megaliths, of relatively modest size – the largest are less than 4 metres tall – have still not given up all their secrets…

These grounds belonged to acting great Sarah Bernhardt, who would throw lavish parties here. Over a century ago, her prestigious guests (including King Edward VII) hit their first drives in the tall grasses. In memory of this, a new course was created here in 1984. 14 holes (par 56) making up a genuine links to rival the finest of British courses. Reach the no. 3 hole by literally going over the ocean! This course was also the first in France to partner with Natura 2000, the European network seeking to conserve environmental biodiversity.

The cannery founded in 1932 by the grandfather of Caroline Hilliet Le Branchu became a real institution in the Quiberon area. Located close to the fishing harbour, formerly the stronghold of sardine fishing, the company has preserved a very particular craft: they still process the sardines, tuna and mackerel by hand. Today, you can visit the cannery and admire the small hands at work on the gutting and packaging lines.

It seems as if a good part of South Brittany's inhabitants gathers in Hennebont every Thursday morning. The fame of its town market dates back to the Middle Ages, when Hennebont, together with its Notre-Dame-de-Paradis Basilica, was one of the main trading sites in the region. Open year round, the market still boasts more than 300 vendors during the summer season. As you walk past its stalls of seafood products and regional crafts and creations, you'll experience a truly condensed version of Brittany.