Vannes is the largest city near to us, just 20 minutes away, but it also has an historic old center. Today we're back to the middle ages as we explore.
The weather in Vannes has been very variable. Lots of sun, but lots of clouds. A bit of rain. Frequently windy. Temperatures generally in the mid-to-high 60s. Layers are needed. Today is no exception. It's cloudy and cool.
We got a late start but managed to stop at the tourist bureau for a map before they closed at 12:30.
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| Dave, Janis, Clark in front of tourist office |
Then we ate lunch on the wall in front of the tourist office, with a lovely view of the port of Vannes, a long skinny strip of water leading from the Gulf of Morbihan to the Place Gambetta and the St. Vincent Town Gate which leads into the old city.
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| entrance to the old city is at the end of this long channel |
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| lovely park area on both sides of this channel - mostly open space, but there was room for a skateboard park not far from the tourist office |
We walked through the St. Vincent Gate, waiting for a truck to squeeze through first. We turned right and headed back outside the town walls to walk along the Marle River whose waters form the channel that is the port for pleasure boats in Vannes.
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| not much room to spare going through this gate |
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| St. Vincent Gate |
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| the Calmont Gate used to have a drawbridge |
We passed the Château de l'Hermine, built in the 18th century to replace the 15th century château of the Dukes of Brittany (of which nothing remains). Below the château a French garden spreads out between the city walls and the Marle River. The city's symbol, an ermine with some sort of flying cape is laid out in stone and red gravel in the park below the château. (The ermine is also the symbol for the brass plaques in the streets as guides for the city walking tour.)
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| these brass plates were set in the sidewalk to guide you to the sites on the walking tour |
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| the city symbol is also on the city flag |
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| Châteay de l'Hermine and its park with the Marle river running in the channel |
Washhouses built in the early 19th century take advantage of the water from the Marle River. The laundresses were protected from the weather while washing clothes in this early version of the laundromat.
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| the wash house (le lavoir) |
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| stone troughs in the lower gallery were filled with water for washing clothes |
Walking along the outside gave us a great look at the walls and towers of the medieval fortifications.
We turned back into the city at the Prison Tower Gate (13th-15th century) and walked to the Cathedrale St. Pierre, built in phases from the 12th to 15th centuries so that it has elements of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. It holds the tomb of St. Vincent Ferrier (died in 1419).
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| the Prison Gate |
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| St. Vincent Ferrier's tomb inside St Pierre Cathedrale |
As might be expected, the center of this town is full of half-timbered houses and narrow streets. I love how the timbers of these houses are painted in bright colors.
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| Clark navigating a narrow street |
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| wood carved lion on the corbel of a house |
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| houses near Place Gambetta |
One unique house has a painted stone carving that is fondly known as "Vannes and his wife".
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| the stone carving is on the corner of this house |
Finished with the old town, we picked up the car and drove out to the commercial port area on the Gulf of Morbihan. This area is very modern and full of commercial businesses that support maritime shipping. We watched a big crane lift a sailboat into the water.
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| lifting the boat from the trailer |
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| dropping the boat in the water |
Then home to plan our next adventure.
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