Ville Close, the Fortified Island of Concarneau in Brittany, France

The medieval fortifications Ville Near is a fortified island of Concarneau. It stands on a prolonged island in the centre of Concarneau harbour. The walled town Ville Shut has only a number of slender streets and is just a short distance from the metropolis and port. 

The origin of the Ville Shut dates back to the 15th century. For the duration of the subsequent centuries, it is the centre of Concarneau. Presently, with an place of 350 metres by 100 metres, Ville Near is 1 of the most frequented web-sites in Brittany and is fairly crowded in the summertime seasons. The good news is, we explored this place in autumn through our two-week highway vacation to Brittany. There were only a several individuals had been walking all-around, most locals.   

Watch from the entrance of Ville Near Old Fortified Island

A several metres off the coast in the harbour, a drawbridge connects the land and Ville Near Aged Fortified Island. But ahead of crossing the drawbridge, from the harbourside, I could choose some wonderful pics of the rocky island and the cupola-clock tower facing the coast of Concarneau.

Eager to enter the island, we did not discover that I was standing up coming to an anchor. The anchor and the clock tower are the perfect factors for a vertical image setting. On leaving, we spotted this viewpoint, the most intriguing portion of Ville Close, and as a result departed with satisfaction. 

Going for walks on the walls of the Ville Close

The quaint drawbridge potential customers to the previous city. Passing ideal guiding the drawbridge, then climbing a several methods up, we found ourselves on the medieval walls. From the two towers on both equally sides of the drawbridge, I had incredible views of the fishing port and Concarneau bay. Autumn looks to be an off-period there since we were being the only site visitors strolling on the partitions on that working day. But in the summertime seasons, when far more site visitors arrive, there would be not significantly place to share.

The jap side of the island, about a third of the whole island, is a smaller hilly park, from where by a passenger ferry runs across the inlet to the reverse quay at Position Duquesne. In numerous spots, stairs from old walls guide to the ground amount. 

Picturesque streets and squares

The most important street Rue Vauban begins from the key entrance gate and crosses the island, connecting the sq., Area Saint-Guénolé. Stone homes had been converted into eye-catching buildings, outlets, galleries, and dining places. A lot of shops sell Breton souvenirs and neighborhood food etc. 

The autumn weather conditions in Brittany is chillier than envisioned. Assumably, it would get chillier through the 2nd 7 days on the northern coast of Brittany, wherever we would continue to be, so I planned to purchase a jacket to protected myself for the cooler temperature. Hence, I opted for a garments store and hoped to acquire a windproof or watertight jacket. Following a brief search, I realized that most jackets in this store were the common waxed Breton watertight coat for fishermen, a fashion that matches the full family members and generally differs in colour. For the duration of the adhering to times of our holiday, I observed these types of outfits stores in many towns and even in modest cities, this sort of as the fishing village Paimpol. 

Most dining establishments open around lunchtime. Within 50 percent an hour, most eating places had been obtaining crowded. Just after a brief assessment of menus from various restaurants, we went into L’Ecume de la Ville Near at the Saint-Guénolé square. I also requested a pork dish cooked in cider, a common Breton dish. The food items had a solid flavour and boosted my appetite.  

Traveling to the Fishing Museum

A few metres absent from the most important gate is the fish museum, Musée de la Pêche. From 1850, Concarneau had produced numerous canneries. About a hundred sardine and tuna fishing boats and about thirty factories supported the regional financial state. The museum provides exciting data about commercial fishing and how it has evolved. 

Vacation guidelines for Ville Shut, the Fortified Island of Concarneau

There are a number of large parking locations in the harbour areas, for illustration, Quai d’Aiguillon Parking and Put Du 8 Mai 1945 Parking. They are just near the entrance of Ville Near.

If you arrive from the south by automobile, the closest parking region is in the vicinity of the quay at Put Duquesne. From there, take the ferries by means of Bac du Passage to the island. The ferry prices about 1 Euro for each journey.

The most effective way to check out the island is to wander at will. If you only have a several hrs in Concarneau, you must commit the time on the island. 

If you program to keep there, you can come across inns around Ville Close as effectively. The adhering to two accommodation are my good picks: