Vannes' old town is surrounded by imposing ramparts and gates, which are in turn lined by a moat and, on the eastern edge, simply spectacular flower-filled gardens. Tucked away behind rue des Vierges, stairs lead to the accessible section of the ramparts from which you can see the black-roofed Vieux Lavoirs (Old Laundry Houses) along the water. Or walk rue Francis Decker, on the wall's eastern exterior, to take it all in.
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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.91 MILES
Predating Stonehenge by around 100 years, the Carnac (Garnag in Breton) area is the world's greatest concentration of megalithic sites, with no fewer than…
22.57 MILES
Guarded by its three round towers and overlooking the canal, the extraordinary town château is an formidable sight that remains the home of the Rohan…
10.84 MILES
This unusual neolithic site on the eastern edge of the village of Locmariaquer (13km south of Auray) sits in an area rich in dolmens. This one features…
8.92 MILES
One of the most special neolithic ruins along the Morbihan coast, this giant cairn is out on the island of the same name. Dating from 4000 BC and…
14.58 MILES
The massive burial mound of a neolithic chieftain dating from 3800 BC, the astonishing Tumulus de Kercado lies just east of Kermario and 500m to the south…
29.7 MILES
The island's northernmost point juts out dramatically at Pointe des Poulains. Flanked by craggy cliffs and affording sublime views, this windswept…
15.58 MILES
This huge tumulus, 400m northeast of the Carnac-Ville tourist office, and accessed off the D781 at the end of chemin du Tumulus (itself off rue du Tumulus…
15.92 MILES
The main information point for the Carnac alignments is the Maison des Mégalithes, 1km north of Carnac-Ville, which explores the history of the megalithic…
Nearby attractions
0.05 MILES
These beautifully manicured gardens lie just outside the walls of the town and are a gorgeous place to relax and take in some astonishing views.
0.07 MILES
On the eastern side of place St-Pierre looms the 13th-century Gothic Cathédrale St-Pierre, being ambitiously restored in parts at the time of writing…
3. La Cohue – Musée des Beaux-Arts
0.08 MILES
Opposite the cathedral, the building called La Cohue has variously been a produce market, a law court and the seat of the Breton parliament. Today it's a…
4. Maison de Vannes et Sa Femme
0.1 MILES
On the corner of rue Noë and rue Pierre Rogue, look for the famous Maison de Vannes et Sa Femme, which sports a timber carving of a portly 16th-century…
5. Musée d'Histoire et d'Archéologie
0.11 MILES
Housed inside the 16th-century Château Gaillard, this small but intriguing museum contains precious neolithic artefacts unearthed throughout the region,…
8.92 MILES
One of the most special neolithic ruins along the Morbihan coast, this giant cairn is out on the island of the same name. Dating from 4000 BC and…
10.78 MILES
This broad neolithic tomb sits on the southern shore the Rhuys Peninsula, on the southern edge of the Golfe du Morbihan. Built between 4500 and 2500 BC,…
10.84 MILES
This unusual neolithic site on the eastern edge of the village of Locmariaquer (13km south of Auray) sits in an area rich in dolmens. This one features…