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In addition to the cities, towns and beaches in the area there are a great many attractions and activities nearby.
Learn wind surfing or sailing at Damgan (15mins) You won't need good French to enjoy a week of introductory wind surfing lessons at the Club Nautique at Damgan, the skills can be mostly communicated by demonstration. Around £70 including wet suit hire.
The famous wildlife park in the grounds of the Chateau de Branféré (3km) is within walking distance. Don't confuse this with a zoo. That the animals enjoy their semi-wild life here is evident from their condition and manner. Small herds of different species feed on the 'African Plain', a fantastic bird display involves pelicans and egrets as well as parrots and birds of prey. Very popular with our guests, some of whom have visited twice during their stay.
Manoir de l'Automobile at Lohéac, 40mins. Huge display of cars from vintage to modern, including rally cars and a complete formula 1 starting grid! So impressive it can convert even sceptical visitors.
Hire a punt at St Lyphard (30mins), take a picnic, and paddle around the waterways in the Grande Briere marshland National Park.
Fishing in the Gulf of Morbihan, in the Vilaine River, and along the coast of Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique.
History of paper making at the Paper making mill at Penmuir (8K) near Muzillac where ancient water powered mallets break down rags to make lovely paper.
St Nazaire Visit a submarine in the old U-boat pens, the shipyard, the Airbus A380 factory...all at St Nazaire (45 mins). Great for a rainy day.
Yves Rocher Vegetarium and factory at La Gacilly. This is where the beauty products empire has its roots.(30 mins). Yves Rocher has been the Mayor of La Gacilly since the 1950's, and is the patron of this pretty flower bedecked village crammed with artisan's shops.
The Ferme du Menguen near Sarzeau (40km) is a museum of farm life.... machinery, traditional breeds, and cider making.
Open in May, June and September from 2.30 to 6 and in July and August from 10.00 to 7.25.
Museum of the Breton Resistance at St. Marcel, Malestroit (30km) on the site of a battle in June 1944 in which the Breton Resistance with free French forces parachuted in from England, successfully diverted the local German troops from the Normandy Invasions.
Prehistoric Park, Malansac (16km). Stimulating for littl'uns who have been 'doing' dinosaurs at school, if not for Mum and Dad. Full size models in realistic settings.
In addition there are any number of Breton fetes and pardons during the spring and summer to visit and join in, many in our own village of Noyal Muzillac. The "Fêtes des Ramparts" in Vannes in July, and Guerande in May, Son et Lumiére and sometimes Shakespeare in the partially ruined castle of Suscinio overlooking the sea and in nearby towns and villages, the Interceltic festival at Lorient, Nights of warm beer and Celtic Rock at Muzillac, Rochfort-en-Terre, and Malestroit.........
Keen Shoppers shouldn't miss Atlantis, advertised as the biggest shopping centre in western France, on the outskirts of Nantes, 50 miles. Nantes city centre is host to many famous French names, Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, Enjoy browsing the many vide gréniers (empty the attic sales) throughout the year, and the markets, particularly the Questembert market on Mondays, surely one of the very best in Brittany........
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Cycling or walking can be enjoyed on the mostly level, quiet lanes around the gites, taking in the nearby villages. The Josselin to Redon section of the Nantes-Brest canal is quickly accessible if you can carry your bikes on your car and offers safe easy family cycling on the towpath, with the opportunity of spotting kingfishers, herons, cormorants and otters. As well as Josselin and Redon, this section of the canal (river Oust) passes through the picturesque town of Malestroit and many pretty villages.
Boat trips and dayboat hire on the 25 km lake on the Vilaine River departing from Arzal (12km), and to the Islands in the Gulf du Morbihan departing from Vannes.
Tropical Floral Park at St Jacut les Pins ( 15km). Palm trees, exotic animals and plants.
Golfing at Limerzel (7km), Caden (15km), Missillac (22 km), Ploermel, Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys (45 km), La Baule and La Bretesche.
Local Markets
