Riverside towns around Lorient
Lorient Bretagne Sud, shaped by rivers
The rivers in Lorient Bretagne Sud have really shaped the land. Especially the Scorff and the Blavet, two rivers which both flow into the bay of Lorient. After city walks in Lorient, or moments spent on a sometimes busy coast, you will love the peace and quiet that these river banks bring.
The Kerhervy Boat Graveyard in Lanester
Lanester also means the river Blavet. The Kerhervy Boat Graveyard is a place of poetry. From June, and all through July, cultural events are organized here.. Theatre, contemporary dance… at nightfall in the middle of summer, attending an outdoor performance is simply magical.
Also in Lanester, the port of Saint-Guénaël is a great starting point for a stroll or a hike along the Blavet.
Stop at the Chapelle de Bon Secours
In Quéven, the site of the Chapelle de Bon Secours is remarkable. The meadow next to the chapel is perfect for picnics. The view is beautiful; you can even admire the horses in the field opposite! The place overlooks the river Scorff and surrounding area, which is naturally preserved. The Bon Secours chapel is also a great starting point for a walk along the river Scorff.
Along the Blavet towpath, on foot or by bike
In Hennebont, it’s lovely to walk or cycle along the towpath beside the Blavet. It’s all flat! The most motivated can even go as far as Pontivy 58 km away. Many do it in the summer on their bikes, carrying camping equipment to sleep over at the stops. The Blavet can also be explored on the water, on board the Korriganez for example, a former tjalk (Dutch barge).
White water kayaking and water skiing at Inzinzac-Lochrist
From Hennebont, you can reach Inzinzac-Lochrist on foot or by bike, following the towpath. It’s a great opportunity to visit the Ecomusée des Forges, or to treat yourself to fun kayaking session at the Parc d’Eau Vive! If you like water sports and thrills, you can also go to the West Wake Park, to water ski or wakeboard on the reservoir of a former quarry. On the same site, the younger ones will also enjoy the bouncy castles.
On the Blavet, the small beach of Minazen, in Languidic
Still along the river Blavet, you can get to Minazen lock in Languidic, a nice place for a peaceful stopover. There is even a little beach where you can rest and a bar in the summer for a drink on the terrace or a bite to eat. The towpath along the Blavet is less crowded here than in Hennebont; good to know when you prefer some peace and quiet!
Just opposite Minazen, on the other side of the Blavet, Quistinic is a commune with a path overlooking the river.
Check out the map of locks on the Blavet. This will give you some ideas for stopovers. Good to know: some locks have parking facilities.
The Moulin des Princes in Pont-Scorff
In Pont-Scorff, the Moulin des Princes is simply superb, with its majestic stone bridge facing the Scorff. There’s a great bar-brasserie with a beautiful terrace facing the river. The site is known to have many salmon, which swim down the Scorff River to the sea. There is a scientific station for monitoring salmon migration here. Still in Pont-Scorff, the walk near the Manoir de Saint-Urchaut is also nice to do, along the old towpath.
Angling and boating
Do you like angling? Fans will be happy along the rivers Scorff and Blavet. We advise you contact the angling associations in the area: some even offer training courses.
On the Blavet and the Scorff, you can navigate by kayak or paddle. On the water, the landscape gets even more beautiful! You can also go by boat or sailing boat along the Blavet (however pay attention to the tide schedules and coefficients!).
And also...
Walks Around the Lakes
L’étang du Loch in Guidel is great for a walk/hike, upstream from the sea.
L’étang du Ter, between Ploemeur and Lorient, is the spot for joggers from Lorient.
And in Plouay, a stroll around the Domaine de Manehouarn and its lake is a lovely walk!
The Laïta, between the Morbihan and the Finistère
The mouth of the Laïta, (“Sea River”) can be seen in Guidel-Plages. In the summer, you can take a ferry across the river directly to Le Pouldu, in Finistère! To discover the magnificent scenery along the Laïta, head to the Abbey de Saint-Maurice (just after Saint-Maurice Bridge), and take the GR 34. You can also navigate on the Laïta in a kayak or canoe, or on a boat for a short cruise. Reeds, sand dunes, Carnoët forest and the port of Le Pouldu: the scenery is poetic everywhere!
