Final Up to date on 4th July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Over 1,000 years in the past, a Viking chief determined to construct a settlement throughout a rocky outcrop subsequent to the river in Brittany. At this time, La Roche-Bernard is a captivating Medieval city stuffed with allure and character, making for the right spot to spend a lazy morning or lengthy afternoon. Right here’s a brief information to the very best issues to do in La Roche-Bernard, a historic gem of western France!
The place is La Roche-Bernard?
Nestled alongside the banks of the River Vilaine, La Roche Bernard is a city located south-east of Vannes. Which is discovered within the southern a part of the Morbihan division of Brittany in north-western France. La Roche-Bernard is listed as a ‘Small Metropolis of Character’, separated by two distinctive elements, the primary city and the port space.
The inhabitants of La Roch Bernard is below 1,000 individuals, and the residents are known as in French, Rochois for males and Rochoises for girls.
A historical past of La Roche-Bernard
The city’s historical past dates again to 919 when it was based by a Viking chief often known as, Bern-hart. Favouring the strategic location subsequent to the River Vilaine, Bern-hart determined to fortify and construct a fortress and settlement atop the rocky spur, naming it La Roche-Bernard.
Throughout the Center Ages, the port was a hive of exercise, buying and selling in cereals, wine salt and so on. Nevertheless, by the nineteenth century, a lot of this buying and selling slowed because the financial exercise of the world decreased, partly because of the new improvement of the railway.
At this time, La Roche-Bernard is a spot of heritage and traditions. An enthralling city to go to, it’s excellent to discover over the course of a day or morning. And, it’s recognized to be notably in style with British vacationers who personal personal boats, the harbour space is a thriving yachting port.
Issues to do in La Roche-Bernard
Wander via the city
Merely wandering via the cobbled streets or alongside the riverfront and absorbing the charming atmosphere of this quaint Brittany city is likely one of the finest methods to expertise it. Providing guests a journey via time, the city is characterised by slim lanes stuffed with rocky Medieval structure and exquisite views onto the port space and river.
Highlights to not miss within the city:
- Notre Dame Church – A timeless Historic Monument from the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, constructed Gothic-style and capped with a Romanesque bell tower.
- Maison du Canon – This home dates again to the sixteenth century and boasts historic options akin to a clock and bell tower.
- Chateau des Basses Fosses – Known as so as a result of it’s constructed over 5 tales, this historic sixteenth and Seventeenth-century mansion as soon as housed a number of households earlier than housing the Museum of the Vilaine Maritime.
- Maritime Museum of Vilaine River – Compromising eight totally different showrooms, the museum particulars native historical past with particular relation to the river, fishing, coastal sea commerce, an the constructing of ships.
Dine alongside the waterfront
Peaceable and historic, La Roche-Bernard makes for a captivating spot to dine, notably alongside the waterfront. Listed here are a few of the locations we propose consuming out:
- La Douanerie: We personally dined right here and loved the outside terrace overlooking the river. They’ve a vegetarian choice within the type of a veggie burger, but it surely have to be mentioned that their menu is unquestionably seafood targeted.
- Le Sarah B: Should you want to dine right here, make sure that to make a reservation upfront as this eatery is fairly in style and house fills up quick.
Admire the boats within the port
Wander right down to the harbour space of the city and admire the boats bobbing within the River Vilaine. In a spot which now sits so tranquil, it’s in all probability laborious to think about that over 100 years in the past, this was one of many busiest ports in all of Brittany!
Climb onto the rock above city
For the most effective views of the city and surrounding panorama, head to the very best perch of La Roche-Bernard and marvel at fascinating views atop a rock which is named ‘website du rocher’ in French.
Admire the Pont Suspendu de La Roche-Bernard
Admire the suspension bridge that spans the River Vilaine, connecting the city to its neighbours Marzan and Nivillac. The bridge seen as we speak is the second to have been constructed, after the primary was destroyed by a storm, it was constructed in 1882.
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