What to see in Concarneau ?

Concarneau's distinctiveness comes from the Ville Close, a fortified medieval town perched on an islet in the middle of an active, bustling fishing port. It's not a museum town: trawlers unload their crates metres from the ramparts, and canneries have shaped the local economy since the 19th century. This coexistence of heritage and real activity gives Concarneau a texture many Breton towns have lost.

Two to three days suffice to explore the Ville Close, walk along Plage des Sables Blancs, and venture into the surrounding coves. Favour September: the light is sharp, the summer crowds have gone, and the harbour restaurants slip back into a normal rhythm. From Quimper by car takes twenty minutes. Don't concentrate your stay within the walls: most of Concarneau's daily life happens outside, on the quays.