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Les Petites Cités de Caractère

Small towns with character Discover the timeless charm of Brittany’s Petites Cités de Caractère®, villages and towns with exceptional heritage that tell the story of the region through their cobbled streets, granite houses and remarkable buildings. Between land and sea, these authentic places invite you to take a timeless break, wherepreserved architecture mingles with the bustle of artisan workshops, markets and local festivities. Let yourself be seduced by these Breton gems, witnesses to a fascinating past and a unique art of living. Created in Brittany in 1975 by Jean-Bernard Vighetti, then general delegate of the Breton association, the Petites Cités de Caractère® label is now nationally recognized. Its aim is to unite communities with a remarkable heritage committed to preserving and promoting it. Discover the seven Petites Cités de Caractère® in Morbihan, real nuggets where heritage is revealed at every turn and in its most beautiful light.

©Alessandro Gui

Morbihan, discovering 7

Petites Cités de Caractère

Rochefort-en-Terre

A jewel among the Petites Cités de Caractère® (Small Towns of Character)

Perched on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by valleys, this town, awarded the Petite Cité de Caractère® label since 1978, seduces visitors with its preserved heritage. Its granite and schist houses from the XVIᵉ and XVIIᵉ centuries, its castle and collegiate church offer a unique setting, sublimated by flower-filled alleyways.

Strolling along its cobbled alleyways, discovering its craftsmen or sampling a kouign-amann are all part of the timeless charm of the place. In summer and winter alike, this Breton town offers an enchanting setting where history and the good life meet.

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Discover its exceptional heritage in a whole new way!

The Tourist Office invites you to join Élodie and Mélanie on their discovery tours. Children of the region, they will plunge you into history and stories through tales and legends. Alternatively, if you’d like to explore the area on your own, a local Heritage Trail reveals the places and memories of the local people.

Malestroit

Just 16 km from Rochefort-en-Terre, Malestroit is a Petite Cité de Caractère® with a fascinating history and preserved built heritage. From the Nantes-Brest canal, discover the charm of the old streets, with their alternating stone facades and half-timbered houses. Here and there, curious sculptures punctuate the discovery of this thousand-year-old city.

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La Perle de l'Oust

As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll come across numerous monuments from the past: the 16th and 16th century church of Saint-Gilles, the Place du Bouffay and its many bourgeois mansions adorned with improbable sculptures and shimmering half-timbering…

La Roche-Bernard

The weathered stones and steep alleyways tell the story of this Petite Cité de Caractère®, born of the sea and the navy. Clinging to the banks of the Vilaine, sometimes built into the side of a rock, ancient residences and mansions slope down to the old port. An original urban landscape just 26 km from Rochefort-en-Terre!

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Arts and crafts in the old town

From the church at the top of the town to the port, the many narrow streets invite you to stroll through the old quarters, where the soul of Roch floats. Behind the elaborate porches are hidden art workshops: potters, ceramists, pearl-makers, stained-glass artists, glass spinners and sculptors showcase their skills in fascinating creations.

Josselin

42 km from Rochefort-en-Terre, the imposing towers of Josselin castle are reflected in the river Oust. Owned by the Rohans, one of Brittany’s oldest families, it is the symbol of this pretty town. Allow half a day to stroll through the charming streets of this Petite Cité de Caractère® and visit its basilica.

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Medieval city par excellence

Let yourself be charmed by this medieval town. Visit the Château des Rohan and the Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Roncier, contemplate the city from its bell tower, and stroll through the narrow streets to discover the many timber-framed houses. Every 2 years, enjoy the medieval festival and its magical atmosphere!

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Port-Louis

With its majestic ramparts and breathtaking views over the Lorient harbor and the island of Groix, Port-Louis epitomizes the spirit of the Petites Cités de Caractère. Less than 100 km from Rochefort-en-Terre, this fortified town, steeped in maritime history, reveals its treasures as you stroll around: its Citadelle, built in the 16th century and home to the Compagnie des Indes and Marine museums, its charming narrow streets and hiking trails with magnificent panoramas.

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Between ramparts and sea horizons

A great getaway between historical heritage and the gentle seaside lifestyle!

Boarding Bateau Bus Lorient Port Louis Le Cire Jaune Lbst

Marche Dans La Grande Rue De Port Louis E.lemee Lbst

Grande Plage De Port Louise.lemee Lbst Web

Pont-Scorff

Less than 100km from Rochefort-en-Terre, nestled in the heart of the Vallée du Scorff and just a few minutes from Lorient, the Petite Cité de Caractère of Pont-Scorff is a charming little town with a rich, authentic heritage. As you stroll along its cobbled streets, you’ll discover stone houses, superb medieval residences such as the Maison des Princes, and the Sacré-Coeur church, an architectural gem in the Gothic style.

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Street Art Et Atelier Destienne Centre Dart Contemporain A Pont Scorff E.lemee Lbst Web

The soul of an artists' village

Pont-Scorff is also a veritable showcase of creativity, with artisan workshops, galleries and contemporary art exhibitions all punctuating the life of this small town. Between heritage and artistic effervescence, you’ll fall under the spell of Pont-Scorff!

Cour Des Metiers Dart A Pont Scorff E.lemee Lbst

Maison Des Princes Et Art Contemporain A Pont Scorff E.lemee Lbst

Guémené-sur-Scorff

Nestled in the heart of the Morbihan region, around 100 km from Rochefort-en-Terre, this charming town of character boasts a rich heritage and authentic atmosphere. A former stronghold of the Rohan family, it retains many vestiges of its medieval past, such as the ramparts and picturesque streets that invite you to stroll. Renowned for its emblematic culinary specialty, andouille, the town celebrates this savoir-faire with a gourmet festival that attracts large numbers of visitors every year.