In the far west of South Finistère, on the banks of the river, find Pont-l’Abbé, the historic town par excellence and the commercial crossroads of the Bigouden region.
A 30-minute drive from the Nature & Résidence Loisirs Le Kervastard campsite, don’t hesitate to explore this town with its unique heritage which represents Breton culture, but above all for its numerous shops.
What to do in Pont-l’Abbé?
The Bigouden museum
To learn more about Bigouden culture, there is nothing better than starting with the Bigouden museum located in the medieval keep of the Barons du Pont castle, at Square de l’Europe, in the heart of Pont-l’Abbé .
Society museum created in 1955, it represents the pure traditional society of the country of Bigouden and brings together a significant collection of objects, furniture, costumes and agricultural and maritime tools which make the reputation of Pont-l’Abbé. But, the most interesting thing is to discover the famous Bigouden headdress and traditional costume which are the pride of the population, but above all which have become the emblem of Brittany.
Notre-Dame-de-Carmes church
Gothic in character, the Notre-Dame-de-Carmes church was built between 1383 and 1406 on the banks of the Odet to accommodate a community of Carmelites. This sumptuous building is easily recognizable thanks to its 7.70 meter rose window on its west facade which dates from the 15th century. It is also characterized by its slate helmet bell tower built in 1603.
Inside, you can admire the magnificent work done on the stained glass windows, as well as the ceiling of the nave.
The “Aux Bigoudens” monument
The “Aux Bigoudens” monument is a granite and bronze sculpture made in 1931 by François Bazin that you can find on the Quai Saint-Laurent. It represents bigoudènes at the five ages of life: the grandmother, the mother, the sister, the young girl and the little girl.
The absence of men and the worried faces of the 5 women are a direct representation of deep Brittany, a must-see!
The inhabited bridge of Pont-l’Abbé
The town Pont-l’Abbé takes its name from its bridge, one of the 9 inhabited bridges still preserved in France. In the 12th century, the abbots of Loctudy and the lords of the castle came together to build a bridge that was both a dam and a bridge to control the comings and goings of merchants, travelers and pilgrims.
Today, the Pont Christ which overlooks the river still has a few buildings rehabilitated into housing and businesses.
The port of Pont-l’Abbé
At the foot of the city’s inhabited bridge, the marina is set up to accommodate lots of boats and to offer a pleasant stroll all around the bridge. In the 18th and 19th century, the place flourished and represented an important commercial crossroads.
Hikes in Pont-l’Abbé
Pont-l’Abbé is magnificent with architecture that bears witness to a rich history of several events that have taken place since the Middle Ages. To appreciate the beauty of this city, consider strolling through its streets and alleys and embarking on short hikes on the Chemin de Halage.
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