Places to visit and things to do in Morbihan,
in Southern Brittany

La Gacilly

La Gacilly Festival of Photography

From June to September each year, La Gacilly is transformed into an immense open-air photo gallery. The work of professional photographers from the worlds of art and photojournalism is displayed on a grand scale, in gardens and passageways, and in the neighbouring villages too, from Glénac to La Chapelle Gaceline.

Accessible to all, at any time of the day or night, the La Gacilly Festival of Photography speaks to us of the relationship between Mankind and his environment, centred on a guest country and an environmental theme. This is the basis for an exhibition of ethical, humanitarian, emotionally-charged photographs.

Started by Jacques Rocher, a committed enthusiast, the La Gacilly Festival of Photography was first held in 2004 and has proved a great success: it is now France's largest open-air photography exhibition, attracting around 400,000 visitors each year.

La Gacilly Festival of Photography

Master Craftsmen

Labelled an "Arts and Crafts Centre", Brittany's little town of La Gacilly has been home to many craftsmen for decades. Ceramic artists, sculptors, glass workers, jewellers, upholsterers, craft metalworkers, leather workers and even confectioners - discover the skills of these true artists as you wander up and down the flower-decked pedestrian streets leading to the banks of the river Aff.

Visit the La Passerelle exhibition centre in La Gacilly, whose exhibitions once again put the focus on contemporary art and also photography. An essential visit for art-lovers.

Around La Gacilly

Rochefort-en-Terre

Paimpont and the Forest of Brocéliande

La Porte des Secrets

Zoo and botanical garden of Branféré

Tropical Parc, a round-the-world trip

Discover Redon

Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan

Rennes, capital of Brittany

Rochefort-en-Terre

Why not spend time exploring one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", voted the favourite village of the French in 2016. The iconic Breton city of Rochefort-en-Terre is full of character and history, set in the heart of Morbihan just 20km from La Gacilly. Stroll around its cobbled streets with their flower displays, admire its stone houses and half-timbered buildings, its ramparts and its castle, and take a peek inside the little craft shops.

Paimpont and the Forest of Brocéliande

Some 30 or 40 kilometres from La Gacilly, the Forest of Brocéliande is a magical setting for walks and sight-seeing! Against a backdrop of lakes and the Brittany moor, Brocéliande is a mythical spot, the birthplace of the legend of King Arthur, Merlin the Enchanter, Sir Lancelot and Viviane the Fairy. These days, it puts on exhibitions, shows, and guided walks to a harp accompaniment that will bring pleasure to people of all ages!

La Porte des Secrets

See the Forest of Brocéliande as you've never seen it before: the Porte des Secrets audio-visual exhibition will transport you into the realms of this magical place and help you to understand its mysteries. Established in the former Abbey of Paimpont, a series of tableaux takes you into the forest-keeper's workshop, then through the forest and to the forge, and introduces you to the Tree Lord. A 40-minute immersion experience to learn about Brittany's legends, to be shared with family or friends!

Zoo and botanical garden of Branféré

Located less than 40km from La Gacilly, this wildlife and botanical park is home to almost 1,200 animals from the five continents, roaming in semi-liberty in a protected natural environment. Fun and educational events are held all year round, and there's an amusement parkthat the little ones will simply love. This site is also home to the Nicolas Hulot School, a learning centre dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity.

Tropical Parc, a round-the-world trip

Some 15 kilometres to the south of La Gacilly, nature from all over the world is on view: stroll around six remarkable exotic gardens, admire plants from far-off places, crafts from the various continents and animals from the other side of the world. Tropical Parc at Saint-Jacut-les-Pins offers a totally new experience, a unique opportunity to plunge deep into a natural environment that invites you on a journey through the plant universe of our planet. No matter what your age, you'll love the gigantic reconstructions that take you to an Indonesian village, an Australian ranch, a Jurassic park with animated dinosaurs, into huge aviaries, and much more.

Discover Redon

Just 15km from La Gacilly, the town of Redon is a great place for a pleasant walk to discover monuments charged with historical interest, and also its industrial heritage, at the Musée de la Batellerie.

Redon stands at the intersection of three administrative departments, and also at a crossing of waterways, one of which is the Nantes-Brest Canal. So your excursions in the port district will go with the flow. Keen historians will love the Abbey Church of Saint-Sauveur and other buildings with listed Historic Monument status.

Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan

Less than an hour from La Gacilly is the charming town of Vannes, capital of Morbihan. This "Art and History Town" with its unique ambiance is quite enchanting. It's a delight to stroll along the quayside, up and down the flower-decked streets of the fortified town, and along the 13^th century ramparts.

Go and fill your lungs with fresh sea air, on the Brittany coast: the Gulf of Morbihan and its 42 islands, a verdant landscape against an azure sea; the Quiberon peninsula with its sandy beaches, and the town of Carnac with its fields of standing stones.

Rennes, capital of Brittany

Treat yourself to a city break in Rennes, Brittany's number one city. Situated 60km from La Gacilly, Rennes is dynamic, festive, cultural and peaceful, and has something for everyone: museums and exhibitions to visit, bars and restaurants for a gourmet snack, a wide choice of concert halls for an evening out, and much more.

Don't miss Place Sainte-Anne with its terraces and magnificent half-timbered houses, the Marché des Lices, the church of Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine and the superb Thabor Park, 10 hectares of French-style formal gardens right in the middle of town. Then there are all the events to go to, such as the Festival des Tombées de la Nuit ("Nightfall Festival", street arts), Rencontres Transmusicales (music), Festival Travelling (film), Festival Mythos (arts and spoken word) and Festival des Coquecigrues for the kids, not forgetting Le Grand Soufflet (accordion festival)…

Suggested places to stay

La Grée des Landes,
Yves Rocher Eco Hotel and Spa

Set on the hillside above the little town of La Gacilly, La Grée des Landes, Yves Rocher Eco Hotel and Spa invites you to continue the Yves Rocher experience. Nature sets the tone here and we listen, as the Natural Slow Life dictates your schedule and invites you to take your time… Take time to find yourself, to listen to your inner self, to recharge your batteries, to reconnect with nature, to get back to your roots, in this quiet corner in the heart of the Brittany moors.

Beauty treatments and rituals at the Yves Rocher Spa, moments devoted to well-being in the Wellness Space, walking around the Grée's paths, gourmet dinners based on local organic produce in the Jardins Sauvages restaurant : all these things give pleasure to the senses, at any time of year and on any occasion. It's an art of living that revolves around the world of plants, of which Yves Rocher knows the secret…

Book your stay

Official Website

"Rives Nature" Cottages and Campsite

A stone's throw from the Maison Yves Rocher, at Rives Nature, you'll enjoy a relaxing stay in an oasis of greenery and peace. This open-air accommodation on the banks of the river Aff is convenient for watersports, too.

Add an authentic dash of individual colour to your getaway in Southern Brittany by taking advantage of the very wide range of accommodation on offer: as well as pitches for tents or motorhomes, there are also cottages, gipsy caravans, safari tents and lodge tents, for a weekend or a longer holiday at one with Nature.

Book your stay

Official website