End July 2016–Concarneau and Loctudy

23rd July – Saturday To Concarneau

We have visited Concarneau before and were hoping it would live up to our memories.

The entrance shows promise with the large buoyed channel and the marina nestled in front of the citadel.  The 29 miles had started with rolly seas, but became windy and sunny in the afternoon, taking us 6 and a half hours from 09:00.

I stumbled on the Festival Du Chien Jaune on my way to find bread.

It is a 20 plus year annual crime writers event named after a ‘Maigret’ detective novel.  Authors lined the marquee eager to sign their wares.  Sadly it could have been Alfred Hitchcock and I would have been none the wiser.  As with all French events it involved food and music and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

24th July – Sunday

We had a walk around the citadel and then spotted lots of small boats in the marina behind.

The boats belonged to the ‘Tour Finstere de la Voile’ (Finistere Sailing Boat Tour)

Another jolly event with a motley crew of Jazz musicians on the quayside.

25th July - Monday

Market day in Concarneau, the picture shows the market hall in the background.  We are constantly surprised at the high cost of Strawberries (excelled here at 5.50 euros a punnet) and Chickens at these markets in comparison to the supermarkets and back home.

We later went for a walk up the coast to the two small beaches to the north of the town, which we totally missed last time.  What will we find next time?

26th July - Tuesday

A view inside the Citadel on the main street.  It is lined with touristy shops and is very busy at present in French holiday season.

A local events page advertised Bretonne dancing in the Citadel at 18:00.  There seems to be something on most nights in the small amphitheatre at the end of the citadel.  The picture of the costumed dancers was enough to draw us in for a show.

Turns out it was a mass Bretonne dancing class.  I have previously mentioned festivals with shuffle dancing in circles.  So of course I joined in.  A few dances in I was getting the hang of it when they started with hand movements also.  Well it burned off todays Ice Cream.

Busy cafe on the main street.

If you are ever passing Concarneau, please stop for a look, it is lovely.

Concarneau Marina

33 Euro per night.  Market on a Monday.  Carrefour city in the square behind the market hall and a large Intermarche on the harbour-side behind the Citadel.  The facilities are OK with a card system for hot water.  Obtain a shower card (before disrobing) from the office, swipe it, enter the shower cubicle number and ‘#’ for 10 minutes of hot water.  Beware of backing into the tap handle for instant cold water, we both did it and yelped. Wifi good.  Glennan boat charters operate from here and we had dozens of teenaged scouts mooning about the pontoons for 2 days waiting for good weather. 

27th July – Wednesday – To Loctudy

Loctudy is a good stopping point before the return journey through the Raz de Sein.  Only 12 miles from Concarneau in the Mist and Drizzle.  Loctudy is a fishing port and the number of fishing pots on the approach prove this.

The main street makes Loctudy look like a bit of a one-horse town, but persevere to the end and make a right turn and walk to the older part of town.  The small 12th century chapel next to the main church is charming inside and out.

The fishing harbour is on the other side of the breakwater from the marina.

It is quite famous locally for its fresh fish which come straight off the boats into the ‘Poisonneries’ fish shops on the harbour side.  Crowds gather as the boats arrive.

Otherwise Loctudy offers camping and water born activities at designated activity centres.

Loctudy Marina

33 Euros per night.  Modern, camp site like facilities are OK.  The visitor moorings are well signposted and well marked.  Try to get on the first inside pontoon, with your stern to the sea, as it offers a lovely aspect while sitting on the boat.

View from Loctudy visitor berths.

The Carrefour supermarket is a good 20 minute walk out of the marina and aim right.  The office will give you a map, good luck.  There is a very small shop on the main street but good bakeries.

Next stop Camaret via St Evette