Things to Do in Morlaix

Basically a tiny resort town, Carantec is a charming commune. Its beach is its main attraction, an affair of soft and clean sands, excellent seafood restaurants, and great watersports when the tide is high. It also has a small but interesting maritime museum – a collection of fossils, shells, and the salvaged contents of a sunken pirate-ship. For a small operation; the museum surprisingly exciting! Close by, at the Claude Goude park, you could have a nice picnic. Head out to the Pen al Lann promontory for a great view of the bay and the islands.

From the tourist office, ask for directions up to the middle level of the Viaduct of Morlaix. You can’t go right up to the top, but this is a good enough spot from which to reminisce about its history. This great granite structure was built in the mid 19th century to help link Paris to Brest by train. It’s 292 metres long, 58 metres high, and it soars majestically over Morlaix. That’s why it’s captured the imaginations and heats of many poets and artists who have created tributes to it. From the mid-level, you have great views of the town hall and the marina, so remember to get you camera.

This awe-inspiring megalithic mausoleum isn’t just Europe’s largest… it’s also the oldest in the world. 75 metres long and 25 metres wide, the mausoleum holds two burial chambers – one from 4500 years ago, and another that was added a few centuries later. It’s not allowed to actually go into the cairn’s interior passages. There is evidence that the civilisation that built this one also built other cairns around Brittany – the symbols drawn onto the rocks match those found on other sites. It’s a nice place to stroll – the sky is usually bright blue, the field is bright green, and the sea sparkles in the sunlight. These ancient dudes really couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque burial place.

This imposing island fort was built in 1542 to protect the Bay of Morlaix from the marauding British. It has since been used as a stronghold, a prison, a Nazi base, a resort and even a sailing school. This lively history led to it being declared a national monument, and it is now a tourist favourite.

The best way to get to the fort is by boat from Carantec. These trips don’t sail every day however. You’ll have to check the attraction website for a detailed schedule of visit. It’s best to take the guided tour, after which you’re free to roam.

The highlights of trip are:

• The theatrical or narrated guided tour (in French)
• The picnic area
• The views from the top of the fort
• The boat ride from either Carantec
• The birds discovery workshop

This erstwhile Jocobin monastery is technically the oldest religious build in town. However, it’s been serving as an art museum for almost a hundred years now. Most of its collection focuses on the modern and contemporary. There are also examples of religious sculpture, 17th-19th century painting, archaeology and photography. Another interesting collection is of silverwork.

This beautiful half-timbered townhouse in the heart of Morlaix was probably built in the early 16th century. Its architecture is a striking example of the Renaissance lantern house: an interior covered courtyard that lets in a well of light into the building. The façade and the interior are ornately decorated. Especially beautiful are the staircase and the fireplace. Its design was so popular that it became the bench mark of much subsequent architecture in Morlaix. As for why the house is named the Duchess Anne… well, visit and ask.

This may be the only museum of its kind in France, may be the world – A museum dedicated to the mysterious wolf. Upto a hundred years ago, many packs of this fascinating animal roamed these forests. The museum, through its various exhibits teaches you about its behaviour, human interactions, and feeding and hunting habits. It makes you aware of the creature’s role in the environment today. Another fascinating exploration is into the human perception of the wolf, and the roles it’s played in mythology and folk-tales.

The historical centre of Morlaix is renowned for mainly for the streets that wind through brightly painted half-timbered houses. But while you’re ambling along these pretty streets, also keep an eye out for:

• The great pink-granite viaduct.
• The Church of Saint Melaine – 15th century church containing some artwork and sculptures.
• The hill at Venelle aux Prêtres and Venelle du Calvaire, from where there’s a nice view of Morlaix.
• Rue Ange de Guernisac – intriguing medieval houses.
• Place des Otages – named for the hostages that were brought here by the Nazi’s before being taken to concentration camps; now home to imposing 16th century town houses.
• Square du Chateau – though the castle that stood here has been destroyed, you can get some good views.
• The Church of Saint-Mathieu, and its renaissance style tower.

Amidst all this exploring, make sure you don’t forget to earmark interesting possibly interesting places to eat!

Built in 1132, Romanesque abbey hosted Cisterian monks right up to the French Revolution. It was famous for its clever hydraulic-irrigation system that would water the gardens and pump water through the buildings. Today, you’ll see:

• A Romanesque church
• Ruins of cloisters
• A pathway that winds through trees, around two lakes and some really old gardens.
• A monumental 18th century fountain
• A permanent exhibition tracing the history of the abbey and the village.

Starting off from the two musical weekends in June, the abbey hosts several concerts and exhibitions. See if you can visit at that time.