After leaving Saint-Malo we drove out to Fort la Latte, or the Castle of the Rock Goyon, a 14th-century structure with a large keep located on the coast.
Next, it was l’Abbaye de Beauport, a lovely ruin with beautiful grounds. Sadly (or maybe luckily?), we were not there for the advertised “Murder Party”!!
We then headed to Roscoff to catch the ferry to our next destination: Île de Batz, situated at the mouth of the English Channel. We stayed for two nights at Les Herbes Folles where we enjoyed (?) the ministrations of the rather surly innkeeper. Amy and I rented bikes and rode all over the island, visiting a small ruined abbey, an edenic exotic garden, and a towering lighthouse. At low tide, we tromped out to a nearby rocky island in the harbor where a white monolith has been raised (and where a geocache was hidden…).
After our island adventure, we headed to Kermorvan fort and lighthouse, which both stand at the westernmost point of mainland France. Next, continuing with the lighthouse and abbey trend, we visited Point Saint-Mathieu which boasts both a ruined abbey and a lighthouse!!
Our final stop before Quimper was the archeological site of Menez Dregan . The site contains the remains of a Middle Neolithic necropolis from about 5,000-6,000 years ago. Below the site is a cave grotto with evidence of human habitation dating back to 465,000 BCE! Sadly, the cave grotto was not accessible when we were there.
After these many sojourns we arrived at Quimper, the regional capital of the Finistère department, where we stayed for three nights. Quimper is situated at the confluence of two rivers. The centre-ville is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with half-timber buildings and, inexplicably, the largest number of eyeglass shops we have ever seen concentrated into one place!
In Quimper, we enjoyed meals at Eskemm (delicious!) and Le Steinway (which Amy didn’t care for).
Next on the agenda is a stop at an ancient cairn on an island, a field of megalithic structures and dolmans, and three nights in Vannes for more eating, drinking, walking, and sightseeing!!