Official tourism website of Lorient South Brittany
Discover the markets of Lorient Bretagne Sud
Discovering markets
Whether they are traditional, artisanal, local or organic, whether they take are in the village square, a town centre or at the seaside, discover and explore the food and evening markets in Lorient Bretagne Sud… Open wide your eyes and your taste buds, and take a wander through the stalls for your delight. A brief overview of the markets on offer.
Local producers
Bring a bag, a basket, or a shopping cart, and let’s go! There are many markets for local produce in Lorient Bretagne Sud. It’s a pleasure to wander around them!
Hennebont market: historically renowned!
The Thursday morning market in Hennebont is one of the most famous markets in Brittany. Its fame dates back to the Middle Ages, when Hennebont, because of its Basilica, was considered a very important trading place.
When Jocelyne comes into the Kreisker, she kisses all the customers and shakes hands with the gentlemen, regulars or not. Jocelyne Diss is the owner of the pub-tobacconist next to the basilica of Hennebont and, this Thursday morning, market day, the town’s streets are packed. “This is a lovely market, very lively and full of colour. What I also like is that it is right in the centre of town, taking up all the space and giving a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I love it and I admit that this market was a decisive factor when I bought this pub. Also, there are some great vegetable growers offering high-quality fresh produce.” In any event, it’s the largest and oldest market in Lorient Bretagne Sud!
This morning, the terraces are empty as the weather is a bit morose. But when the sun shines, the tables and chairs come spilling out onto the pavements and car parks. There’s always enough room for the 300 or so market stall owners to show off their lovely products. And don’t forget to fill your shopping bags…
“This is a fantastic site”, continues Laurent Cubizolles, owner of the PMU Le Spot. “The ramparts, the Broerec’h towers, the basilica… it all lends itself to an authentic and charming medieval atmosphere. In addition, the crowd forms two lines along the main arteries, one going down, the other heading up. And inevitably people stop for a chat. It’s a genuine traditional market where people come to meet. Here, people are looking for contact before they buy their leeks.”
Indeed, you may have to elbow your way through the locals greeting their friends with a “Comment que c’est” (pronounced “kumakesay” – or how do you do).
In July and August, you can get here by boat from Port- Louis or Larmor-Plage with the boat company Escal’ Ouest.
Halles de Merville covered market: a must-see!
Another place, another ambiance.
At the Merville market in Lorient the coffee break is brief but intense. With a little square of chocolate perhaps? The customers work their way around this ring of concrete and metal built over an old bomb shelter.
The halles de Merville, built in 1964, are the gourmet lungs of Lorient and are open all year round. The best local fishing produce can be bought here. First fishing port ahead of Boulogne and Le Guilvinec with more than 25,000 tonnes of fish landed each year, it’s normal to find beautiful fresh fish on the Lorient market! The fishmongers are the stars of the show in the very centre. There is a wide variety of species: hake, monkfish, lobster, langoustines, other seafood…
Around the edges are the other merchants. Seventy in total contribute to this lively market and to the variety of produce on offer, not counting the stall holders in the outdoor market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings).
A piece of advice: head home with a typical basket from Lorient: a Lorient cabbage, kari gosse and a Breton cake!
Place Polig Montjarret clothes market in Lorient
Still in Lorient, a less known, but equally pleasant market is held every Saturday morning all year round on the Place Polig Montjarret (formerly known as the “Marché Saint-Louis”). It is home to sellers of bulk clothing, household linen, shoes, leather goods and some fresh food sellers. After strolling there, it’s nice to have a drink on one of the terraces around the place Polig Montjarret!
Plenty more markets in Lorient Bretagne Sud
If that’s not enough, and you would like the view of other bistro-goers on the local food markets, head to Bubry or Cléguer, Gâvres,Guidel, Lanester, Languidic, Lochrist, Ploemeur, Plouay, Pont-Scorff, Port-Louis, Quéven, Riantec,…
On the island of Groix, there is a covered market for the island’s produce all year round. You will find all the fresh produce of the island: organic vegetables from the local market garden, Groix goat’s cheese, fruit, fish of the day, abalones and mussels from Groix, shellfish, pancakes and homemade pies, teas and herbal teas, plants and flowers…
Evening markets
Fancy extending the afternoon after a day at the beach? Or stretching your legs after a lazy day? Looking for ideas for dinner? Or do you just want to taste the products and specialities of the region? During the summer season, the evening markets are attractive tourist spots, where events happen alongside colourful stalls! Chic or casual break, by the sea or in the heart of the countryside. Come and enjoy them!
Port-Louis
Combine a crossing of the harbour by batobus with a stroll through the Port Louis market on Tuesday evening.
You can get to the Tuesday evening market from the port of Kernevel in Larmor-Plage. Another opportunity to explore the bay by batobus, with its never-ending ballet of boats coming and going in the last light of day.
Plenty of events and an opportunity to find jewellery, handicrafts, have a drink and discover the charm of the streets of old Port-Louis. Returns to Lorient are guaranteed until 11 p.m. (check departure ports and return times).
Larmor-Plage
A seaside resort par excellence, Larmor-Plage also comes alive at night in the summer season, on Wednesday evenings. Around the exhibitors, crafts people and restaurateurs, merchants gather around the church and create a cheerful market atmosphere great for a relaxing stroll.
Ploemeur
Thursdays in Ploemeur: every Thursday another venue, another event.
In Ploemeur, that’s how we like to do things: break the routine and move the evening market every week, just to change the place and the atmosphere!
From mid-July to mid-August, thousands of spectators come to enjoy the concerts and market, organised along the sea-front (in the typical port of Lomener, at Kerroc’h, at Fort-Bloqué) or in the town centre until late in the evening.