The city walls and castle of Vannes

Vannes is bordered to the south by the Golfe du Morbihan, which means little sea in Breton. This 12,000-hectare Atlantic basin is dotted with about forty islands, some of them inhabited, like l'île d'Arz and l'île aux Moines. The Golfe is a unique place where the land and the sea merge in changing landscapes.

To the north, the hinterland goes as far as the Landes de Lanvaux, criss-crossed with numerous waterways. Walks along hiking trails will lead you to the heart of the Argoat, you'll discover megaliths, manors, chateaux, chapels, fountains and calvary crosses, continual reminders of Brittany's history.

Marina Karpunina must have good memories of Vannes, as Russia played a good tournament and won in the U20 European Championship Women 2004

In 2004, the Kercado Arena was host to the U20 European Championship Women.

EuroBasket Women 2011 MVP Elena Danilochkina, Ukraine stand-out Olexandra Kurasova and Slovakia center Anna Jurcenkova are all likely to return to Vannes nine years after playing there with their respective junior teams.

More than 1,500 spectators packed the Kercado Arena back then, proving that Vannes' inhabitants have a big affinity towards basketball.

Every year, the city is organising the "Trophée du Golfe", a pre-season basketball tournament of French Pro A teams.

• Guided mp3 Tour of Vannes (free of charge)

With a simple click download the guidedmp3 tour of Vannes on your mp3 player or on your mobile phone and enjoy its heritage at your own pace. Also available in French, Spanish, German and Italian.

www.mairie-vannes.fr

The harbour of Vannes at the Gulf of Morbihan

• Afternoon Kayak

The presence of qualified canoeing instructors allows Varec'h Kayak to offer introductory courses, guided hikes, treasure hunts, or orientation rafting courses that allow everyone to explore the extreme beauty of the Gulf of Morbihan.

Address: Base nautique du Varec'h - Bois Bas 56870 Baden
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 57 16 16
www.bretagne-kayak.com/index.php?lang=EN

• Aquarium Vannes

From the Gulf of Morbihan to the Red Sea, with a call in at the Amazon, dive into these three aquatic worlds in which you will discover nature's true works of art.

Address: 21 rue Daniel Gilard 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)8 10 40 69 01
www.aquarium-du-golfe.com/english/index.php

• La Cohue, Museum of Fine Arts

The Cohue Museum of Fine Arts confirms an identity deeply rooted in contemporary artistic expression, with spaces dedicated entirely to modern art and temporary exhibitions.

Address: 9 place Saint-Pierre 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 01 63 07

• Butterfly Garden

Enjoy the captive grace and beauty of exotic butterflies. Marvel at them as they fly freely around you. They are literally everywhere! Feast your eyes on this festival of moving colours and shapes!

Address: 18 rue Daniel Gilard 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)8 10 40 69 01
www.jardinauxpapillons.com/english/index.php

• Museum of History and Archaeology

The permanent collections of museums are the legacy of past centuries. Paintings, decorative arts, and archaeological curiosities of nature are the ground on which historians are working for an interpretation which is constantly reassessed.

Address: 2 rue Noé 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 01 63 00

• House of Cidre

The House of Cider invites you to discover the traditional cider making: from traditional methods of farmers to modern techniques of cider making. At the end of the visit, a tasting of cider or apple juice will be offered.

Address: rue Lann Vhrihan 56450 Le Hezo
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 26 47 40
www.museeducidre.com/

• Popcorn Labyrinth

Come lose yourself in the giant corn maze Pop Corn Maze. Five acres of corn and 5 km of pathways for an adventure in the heart of nature. With family or friends, let yourself be guided by the theme of the season to find the exit.

Address: D768 route de Quiberon Pontreval 56400 Ploemel
Tel: +33 (0)7 61 70 58 96
http://en.tourisme-vannes.com/prepare-your-holiday/things-see-and-do/leisure-park/112051-pop-corn-labyrinthe

Capacity: 1,500

Address: 28, rue Winston Churchill; 56000 VANNES

Population: 53,000

Nearest Airport: Nantes International Airport is one hour by car from Vannes. The airport in Lorient is 45 minutes from Vannes by car.

Official Website: www.tourisme-vannes.com

Distances: Lille (678 km), Orchies (691 km), Trelaze (211 km), La-Roche-Sur-Yon (182 km), Paris (463 km)

By Car
Free highways connect Vannes with Nantes, Rennes and Quimper that are all around one hour away.
Vannes  is connected to Paris via Rennes and the AB1 and A11 highways.

By Train
TGV Paris-Montparnasse/Vannes: 3:15 (10 daily connections)
French railway SNCF www.sncf.com/en/passengers 

By Plane
Nantes Atlantique International Airport is located 1:30 from Vannes with nine connections to Paris and three to Lille per day.
www.nantes.aeroport.fr/ANA-English/Page/Default.aspx

Lorient Airport is only 45 min from Vannes and offers four flights to Paris a day.
www.lorient.aeroport.fr/?lang=en

Public transport
A free rental bike service is in place in Vannes.
http://www.velocea.fr/

• Le Café de la poissonnerie

A place known for its atmosphere and rustic decor to enjoy the best croque monsieur of the Gulf of Morbihan.

Address: 21 place de la Poissonnerie 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 47 15 48

• Crêperie Dan Ewen

More than a gourmet stop, an immersion in the Breton culture awaits you at the Creperie Dan Ewen, in the historic district of Saint-Patern.

3 place du Général de Gaulle 56000 Vannes
+33 (0)2 97 42 44 34
http://www.creperie-danewen.fr/

• Le Carré Blanc

A good place to have lunch, between gourmet restaurants and simple breweries with culinary originality, all for an affordable price

Address: 28 rue du Port 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 47 48 34

• Le Gavroche

Located in the historic district of Saint Patern in the heart of Vannes, the Gavroche team welcomes you from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner in a warm and friendly setting.

Address: 17 rue De la fontaine 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 54 03 54

• Le Rive Gauche

Simple and quality establishment at the Port of Vannes, the Rive Gauche is easily identifiable with its red shutters.

Address: 5 place Gambetta 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 47 02 40

• Le Roscanvec

The half-timbered house hides a contemporary and sleek setting. Its kitchen is recognized in major restaurant guides and its menu is inventive on the basis of good local produce.

Address: 17, rue des Halles - 56000 Vannes
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 47 15 96

• La Table de Jeanne

Fresh products, regional bio vegetables, oysters and clam shells coming from the Arz island and homemade ice-cream without stabilizers or colorants. Open Tuesday to Sunday noon.

Address: 13 Place de la Poissonnerie - 56000 VANNES
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 47 34 91

• La Taupinière

The galettes and crepes are delicious and their side dishes, in addition to being original are of finest quality. The decor is superb: an antique stone fireplace, wooden beams...

Address: 9 place des Lices 56000 Vannes 
Tel: +33 (0)2 97 42 57 82