Must-sees near Carnac
What to do and see near Lorient during your stay in Morbihan?
Lorient, a lively port city
An energetic port city
- From the Carnac campsite, it’s a 35-minute drive on the N165 to Lorient.
- For a more picturesque route, you can also take the coastal road through Plouharnel, Belz and Port-Louis. It’s a great way to get started.
Lorient is France’s leading fishing port. It’s also the leading port for landing live langoustines . Razed by Allied bombing during the Second World War, the town was completely rebuilt in the 1950s. Its heritage has nothing in common with that of a town like Vannes. But this modernity gives it a lively, dynamic feel, with numerous bars, brasseries and shops in the center.
If you’re curious about history or sailing, don’t miss the Keroman submarine base, or the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly. It’s instructive, interactive, and appeals to children as much as to sailing and military history enthusiasts.
More information on the Lorient – La Base website.
Did you know? The Bagad de Lann-Bihoué is the musical pride of Lorient
Created in 1952, the Bagad de Lann-Bihoué is one of the city’s cultural emblems. You may have already heard them at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, where bagpipes and bombards rock the town. Made up of bagpipers serving in the French Navy, the band has been promoting Breton music in France and abroad.
Hennebont, its market, its basilica and its national stud farm
Local flavours and historical heritage
If you’re just passing through Lorient, why not drop in on Hennebont, which is just around the corner, only 15 kilometers away. The main attraction? Its market. And not just any market: it’s one of the biggest in Brittany, with almost 350 stallholders every Thursday morning, from 9am to 1pm. If you like strolling between stalls, discovering local produce and feeling the heartbeat of a town, go for it!
Take time to explore the historic town center, with the 16th-century Basilica of Notre-Dame du Paradis overlooking the Blavet, and the old forges, vestiges of an industrial past still very much alive in the local memory. Along the way, you’ll also discover the towpath, the locks and the National Stud, which has earned Hennebont the title of capital of the Breton horse.
Larmor-Plage the marina, the Port Maria promenade and the Kernével villas
Relaxation, elegance and iodine pleasures
Larmor-Plage is Lorient’s beach. It’s here, at the entrance to the harbor, that Lorient locals love to escape as soon as the sun returns. Stroll around the marina, along the Port Maria promenade (a veritable local “croisette”), have lunch on the terrace overlooking the island of Groix – it’s the perfect way to spend a day in Larmor-Plage!
And to extend the stroll, head for the Kernével villas overlooking the marina. Built in the late 19th century, these three seaside villas are also known as the“Château des sardines“, in tribute to Augustin Ouizille, a banker and industrialist from Lorient with links to the local sardine industry. In 1940, the German army requisitioned the Kerlilon villa.Admiral Dönitz, commander-in-chief of the submarine fleet, set up his headquarters here. Today, a wooden footbridge links the old port to the marina, running alongside the facades of these elegant residences.
Discover our best restaurants :
Opposite the Port-Louis citadel, 2.5 km from the center of Larmor-Plage, the port of Kernevel and its two restaurants are a must-see.
- The Tour du Mondethe emblematic restaurant of Larmor-Plage, offers a breathtaking view of the Lorient harbor. Renowned for its mussels marinière and fish and chips. The service is impeccable and the bill isn’t too steep.
- At the tip of Kernevel, the Villa Margaret welcomes you indoors or out on its sea-view terrace. Cosy atmosphere and one of the finest views of Lorient harbor and roadstead. Reasonably priced.
Guidel, surfing beaches and unspoilt nature
Sporty beaches and peaceful paths
To round off our tour of Lorient, we head for Guidel, on the border with Finistère. The river Laïta marks the boundary between the two departments. There are plenty of beaches for swimming, surfing and windsurfing. Guidel has been awarded the 2-star “Ville Surf” label and is one of the best surf spots in Morbihan.
For a change from the beach, the Loc’h ponds offer a pleasant green interlude, away from the crowds of the seaside. The site has been classified as a Regional Nature Reserve since 2008. A walking loop (10 km, easy, 3h) starts from the Fort du Loc’h parking lot. The trail crosses dunes, meadows, ponds and canals, with signs to help you understand the flora and fauna (purple herons, terns, common snipe, New Forest ponies…).
