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 long island in the centre of Concarneau harbour. The walled town Ville Close has only a few slender streets and is just a quick distance from the town and port. 

The origin of the Ville Shut dates back to the 15th century. Through the adhering to hundreds of years, it is the centre of Concarneau. Presently, with an place of 350 metres by 100 metres, Ville Near is a single of the most frequented websites in Brittany and is very crowded in the summer months seasons. The good news is, we explored this position in autumn during our two-7 days road trip to Brittany. There had been only a couple of people have been walking close to, most locals.   

Watch from the entrance of Ville Close Aged Fortified Island

A handful of metres off the coastline in the harbour, a drawbridge connects the land and Ville Close Outdated Fortified Island. But right before crossing the drawbridge, from the harbourside, I could consider some excellent shots of the rocky island and the cupola-clock tower facing the coast of Concarneau.

Eager to enter the island, we did not see that I was standing following to an anchor. The anchor and the clock tower are the excellent factors for a vertical picture placing. On leaving, we noticed this viewpoint, the most intriguing portion of Ville Shut, and thus departed with fulfillment. 

Strolling on the partitions of the Ville Close

The quaint drawbridge prospects to the outdated town. Passing right driving the drawbridge, then climbing a handful of actions up, we uncovered ourselves on the medieval partitions. From the two towers on both equally sides of the drawbridge, I experienced fabulous views of the fishing port and Concarneau bay. Autumn appears to be an off-year there considering that we were being the only readers strolling on the partitions on that day. But in the summertime seasons, when additional readers arrive, there would be not substantially place to share.

The japanese aspect of the island, about a 3rd of the entire island, is a little hilly park, from the place a passenger ferry runs across the inlet to the reverse quay at Place Duquesne. In many places, stairs from aged walls guide to the floor stage. 

Picturesque streets and squares

The primary avenue Rue Vauban begins from the principal entrance gate and crosses the island, connecting the sq., Put Saint-Guénolé. Stone residences were being transformed into appealing structures, stores, galleries, and dining places. Quite a few shops provide Breton souvenirs and regional food stuff etcetera. 

The autumn weather conditions in Brittany is chillier than expected. Assumably, it would get chillier in the course of the next 7 days on the northern coast of Brittany, where by we would stay, so I prepared to invest in a jacket to secure myself for the cooler weather. For that reason, I opted for a garments shop and hoped to purchase a windproof or water-proof jacket. Immediately after a swift search, I realized that most jackets in this store have been the usual waxed Breton waterproof coat for fishermen, a type that suits the full loved ones and predominantly differs in colour. Through the next times of our vacation, I saw these garments outlets in several cities and even in smaller cities, these as the fishing village Paimpol. 

Most restaurants open up all-around lunchtime. Within fifty percent an hour, most dining places were being getting crowded. Just after a brief examination of menus from many eating 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 common Breton dish. The food experienced a strong flavour and boosted my hunger.  

Traveling to the Fishing Museum

A several metres away from the primary gate is the fish museum, Musée de la Pêche. From 1850, Concarneau experienced designed many canneries. About a hundred sardine and tuna fishing boats and about thirty factories supported the nearby overall economy. The museum presents exciting information and facts about business fishing and how it has developed. 

Journey strategies for Ville Close, the Fortified Island of Concarneau

There are several massive parking spots in the harbour areas, for case in point, Quai d’Aiguillon Parking and Location Du 8 Mai 1945 Parking. They are just in the vicinity of the entrance of Ville Shut.

If you arrive from the south by car or truck, the closest parking place is around the quay at Location Duquesne. From there, take the ferries by using Bac du Passage to the island. The ferry charges about 1 Euro per journey.

The very best way to discover the island is to wander at will. If you only have a several hours in Concarneau, you need to expend the time on the island. 

If you strategy to continue to be there, you can uncover lodges in the vicinity of Ville Close as well. The adhering to two lodging are my great picks: