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

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

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

The origin of the Ville Shut dates again to the 15th century. For the duration of the pursuing centuries, it is the centre of Concarneau. Currently, with an location of 350 metres by 100 metres, Ville Near is just one of the most frequented sites in Brittany and is very crowded in the summer time seasons. Thankfully, we explored this put in autumn throughout our two-7 days road vacation to Brittany. There were being only a few people today have been strolling about, most locals.   

Check out from the entrance of Ville Near Old Fortified Island

A couple metres off the coastline in the harbour, a drawbridge connects the land and Ville Near Old Fortified Island. But before crossing the drawbridge, from the harbourside, I could just take some wonderful photographs of the rocky island and the cupola-clock tower dealing with the coastline of Concarneau.

Keen to enter the island, we did not see that I was standing upcoming to an anchor. The anchor and the clock tower are the fantastic elements for a vertical image location. Upon leaving, we spotted this viewpoint, the most intriguing part of Ville Shut, and thus departed with pleasure. 

Going for walks on the partitions of the Ville Shut

The quaint drawbridge prospects to the outdated town. Passing correct behind the drawbridge, then climbing a couple methods up, we observed ourselves on the medieval walls. From the two towers on each sides of the drawbridge, I had wonderful sights of the fishing port and Concarneau bay. Autumn looks to be an off-year there due to the fact we were being the only website visitors strolling on the walls on that working day. But in the summer months seasons, when a lot more readers arrive, there would be not a lot house to share.

The eastern facet of the island, around a third of the whole island, is a compact hilly park, from wherever a passenger ferry runs throughout the inlet to the opposite quay at Area Duquesne. In many spots, stairs from old walls guide to the floor level. 

Picturesque streets and squares

The major avenue Rue Vauban commences from the key entrance gate and crosses the island, connecting the square, Spot Saint-Guénolé. Stone houses have been converted into appealing properties, retailers, galleries, and dining places. Several retailers provide Breton souvenirs and regional food etcetera. 

The autumn weather in Brittany is chillier than envisioned. Assumably, it would get chillier in the course of the second week on the northern coast of Brittany, the place we would continue to be, so I prepared to get a jacket to safe myself for the cooler weather conditions. Hence, I opted for a garments store and hoped to buy a windproof or water-resistant jacket. Right after a quick look for, I understood that most jackets in this store had been the normal waxed Breton water resistant coat for fishermen, a model that matches the entire loved ones and mainly differs in colour. Through the next days of our vacation, I noticed such outfits retailers in a number of towns and even in compact towns, these as the fishing village Paimpol. 

Most restaurants open around lunchtime. Inside of 50 percent an hour, most dining establishments were being having crowded. After a rapid examination of menus from various dining places, we went into L’Ecume de la Ville Near at the Saint-Guénolé sq.. I also purchased a pork dish cooked in cider, a normal Breton dish. The food items had a strong flavour and boosted my urge for food.  

Going to the Fishing Museum

A several metres away from the primary gate is the fish museum, Musée de la Pêche. From 1850, Concarneau had formulated a lot of canneries. About a hundred sardine and tuna fishing boats and about thirty factories supported the community economic climate. The museum offers exciting info about commercial fishing and how it has progressed. 

Travel recommendations for Ville Shut, the Fortified Island of Concarneau

There are various huge parking regions in the harbour locations, for illustration, Quai d’Aiguillon Parking and Place Du 8 Mai 1945 Parking. They are just close to the entrance of Ville Near.

If you get there from the south by motor vehicle, the closest parking region is close to the quay at Area Duquesne. From there, get the ferries by way of Bac du Passage to the island. The ferry expenditures about 1 Euro for each ride.

The ideal way to explore the island is to wander at will. If you only have a number of hours in Concarneau, you should shell out the time on the island. 

If you plan to continue to be there, you can come across motels around Ville Close as perfectly. The subsequent two lodging are my great picks: