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Pont-Aven

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Finistère

Pont-Aven - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Finistère
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Renowned for its famous painting school founded by Paul Gauguin, Pont-Aven is a small town in Finistère, 12 kilometres from the coast and 17 kilometres from Concarneau.

Nestling in a verdant valley and benefiting from an enchanting setting, Pont-Aven is a lovely place for a walk with its narrow streets, small bridges, washhouses and old windmills, some which have restored mill wheels. Beautiful granite houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, a house with a turret, and 20th-century villas contribute to its charm.

It was the light that attracted the painter Paul Gauguin in the 19th century. He founded the Pont-Aven School there in 1886, and was followed by Émile Bernard, Paul Sérusier, Maxime Maufra... They met up to paint at Lover's Wood (Le Bois d'Amour), beneath the Trémalo Chapel. A discovery trail "In the Footsteps of Paul Gauguin" makes reference to this period of pictorial effervescence surrounding the artist. Today, painting is still a major attraction in Pont-Aven, with many artists' studios and galleries, exhibition venues and a Fine Art Museum.

The food-loving town of Pont-Aven has another well-known speciality: the famous pure butter biscuits called galettes, made artisanally and found in many places around town.

The River Aven, which runs through the town, can provide a focal point for exploring the area. You can enjoy lovely walks along its flowery banks, a canoe-kayak or licence-free boat ride, or a guided tour aboard a vedette boat.

Holidaymakers gather at Port-Manec'h beach, a family-friendly beach decorated with white cabins, located at the mouth of the Aven and Bélon, 10 kilometres from Pont-Aven. Yachters meanwhile can take refuge in the well-sheltered harbour.

Additional information
Pont-Aven

Evoking Pont-Aven is call:

A bustling city, full of charm in the hollow of the green valley of Aven. It is "Bro Goz Milinou ar" an old country mills. Since the Middle Ages, a popular saying is true "Pont-Aven, renowned City, 14 mills, 15 houses."

A marina at the bottom of the estuary, where sea air meets the light of the campaign. Since the late Middle Ages, the port Pont-Aven is a must for traders of wines, salt, cereals, potatoes and granite. Today, small marina sheltered at the bottom of the estuary, it has become a tourist stop.

A village in the face motley whose painting is the center of attraction. It is "Baradoz year Arzu" artist's paradise. City of painters since 1865, Pont-Aven is inseparable from the story of Paul Gauguin and his friends. Featuring a museum, workshops of artists municipal and many private places of exposure, Pont-Aven is firmly rooted in his artistic vocation.

Immediately recognizable by their delicacy and their inimitable taste, the cakes that are part of the culinary heritage of Pont-Aven. Since 1890, the chips and burgers are the gourmets and two biscuits perpetuate ancestral culinary tradition.

Things to see and do

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments

Events and festivities

Photos

L'Aven
L'Aven
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Market day on the port
Market day on the port
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Rue du port, bridge and church of Pont-Aven
Rue du port, bridge and church of Pont-Aven
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L'Aven
L'Aven
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Well in Nizon
Well in Nizon
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Nizon Town Hall
Nizon Town Hall
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Promenade du Bois d 'Amour
Promenade du Bois d 'Amour
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Chapel of Kergornet
Chapel of Kergornet
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Church of Nizon
Church of Nizon
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Moulin du Grand Poulguin
Moulin du Grand Poulguin
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The mill
The mill
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The Aven
The Aven
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The port
The port
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The chaos of the Aven
The chaos of the Aven
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Gardens Excelmans on the port
Gardens Excelmans on the port
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Old rigging at the quay in the port of Pont-Aven
Old rigging at the quay in the port of Pont-Aven
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Boating on the Aven
Boating on the Aven
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Headdress and collar of the costume of Pont-Aven
Headdress and collar of the costume of Pont-Aven
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The cakes of Pont-Aven
The cakes of Pont-Aven
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A Tourist Office (© A. Lamoureux)
A Tourist Office (© A. Lamoureux)
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Nizon
Nizon
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Nizon
Nizon
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Nizon
Nizon
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Church of Nizon
Church of Nizon
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Interior of the church of Nizon
Interior of the church of Nizon
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Interior of the church of Nizon
Interior of the church of Nizon
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L'Aven
L'Aven
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The Aven
The Aven
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Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
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Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
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Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
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Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Nearby: sailing schools, golf, floral park, beaches, swimming pool, cinema...

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

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