What to see in Pont-Aven ?

Pont-Aven owes its worldwide reputation to Gauguin and the group of painters who settled there in the late 19th century, drawn by light and hedgerow landscapes faithfully captured in canvases at the Fine Arts Museum. This Breton town of 2,800 inhabitants has not capitalised on this past artificially: galleries sit beside granite houses on the Aven's banks with rare coherence.

The best period stretches from May to September, though June and September avoid the July-August saturation of the town centre. Two days suffice to explore the Wood of Love and walk upstream along the river. Pont-Aven is easily reached by car from Quimperlé or Concarneau; coach travel remains possible but awkward. Avoid buying vacuum-sealed galettes in souvenir shops: authentic Pont-Aven galettes come from local craftspeople, considerably superior.