Prepare your visit: history and landscapes
The fourth cool fishing port in France, Concarneau is a flagship destination in Cornwall. Its landscape is dominated by its famous City Close, a fortified island located in the heart of the port, connected to the land by two small bridges.
Between its shipyards, its marina and its white sandy beaches such as Les Sables Blancs, Concarneau offers a complete maritime face. It is a dynamic city where the history of the ramparts borders the effervescence of the auction, all bathed in a maritime light that has attracted many painters over the centuries.
Legends and must see on the way
The City Close is a real stone vessel that seems to protect the city's secrets from the Middle Ages.
The ramparts of Vauban:
The inescapable monument remains the City Close. Surrounded by high walls redesigned by Vauban, it houses narrow and flowery streets. As you walk around the ramparts, you will enjoy stunning views of the fishing port and the bay. It is here that one feels the defensive soul of the city, once breathtaking.
Mandatory must-haves:
- The Museum of Fisheries: To understand everything about fishing techniques and the lives of sailors, with the visit of an authentic trawler.
- The Marinarium: An exciting marine biodiversity discovery centre for children.
- The Coastal Trail (GR34): That leads to the coves of the tip of Cabello.
My Practical Tips for Families
Concarneau is a royal stage for a family outing, combining culture and pleasures of the beach.
- The sneakers are ideal for walking on the cobblestones of the City Close and on the ramparts.
- The City Close is paved, which can make the walk stroller A little "sportive", but it remains feasible on the main axes. To climb on the ramparts (close stairways), the Baby carrier is indispensable. For a smoother stroller walk, prefer the cornice along the sea to the beaches.
- Little pleasure: Take the "Bac du Passage", the smallest cruise in the world! This small boat connects the Ville Close to the Passage district in a few minutes for a small sum. Kids love it!
- Itinerary : Find the starting point via this Google Maps link.
Photo gallery: the views not to be missed
The photo spot par excellence is the entrance of the City Close with its iconic clock. For a more original view, try to capture the return of trawlers to the harbour from the ramparts in the late afternoon.
What I like:
Concarneau is for me a city of fascinating contrasts. I like the morning calm on the ramparts, when time seems to have stopped before the arrival of the visitors, then the joyful animation of the alleys once the day has started. It is a city that smells good holidays, with its ice on the port and the power of the sea that offers a true iodized air bowl. A walk in the City Close is the unbeatable for a moment here: it is a stage where one feels good, simply, between its medieval history and its seaside pleasures.
