Concarneau Things to Do Tips by ranger49

Walk the ramparts

Walking the ramparts provides an excellent way to get an overview of the old citadelle with great views around the town and the harbour.
It is a relatively easy walk with some steep steps and uneven ground in parts with a few unprotected "drops" where Health and Safety have not yet intervened.
We saw familes with young children and a push chair. So with care and determination it should be accessible to most visitors. The full circuit can be done in two separate sections.
There was no charge but I understand that a small charge is made in high season - perhaps partly to control the numbers of visitors walking the ramparts at the same time.

Flowers in the Fortress

Ville Clos the old city of Concarneau is some times referred to as a Ville Fleurie.
Colour and fortresses do not always go hand in hand but here, on an October day, there was enough to justify the name.
Starting with the colourful display of flags above the ramparts, wall baskets along the entrance and in the inner courtyard flowers can be seen throughout your tour of the town.

Occasional free concerts

There is an large open space in the old town at the end of the main street , just before you get to the ferry stage, that is available to community groups for public performances and meetings.
On a cold and rainy day in May 2006 we had forgotten that it was the 8th - what in the UK was known as V.E. Day but in France is Victory Day, a Public Holiday commemorating the end of the war in Europe in 1945.

It was being used by the local branch of a world peace organisation who were putting on a concert whilst circulating a Petition for signature and information about the organisation. They bravely carried on in spite of some heavy showers and gave a cracking performance - particularly the female vocalist.

The Way to the Gallows

As you walk around the old town don't hesitate to take a look in to any opening in the walls.
It may lead to nothing more than a landing stage or outlet. or to something more interesting

On one visit we followed our ears when we heard music -Beatles music with vocal accompaniment and amplification. We turned a corner and found ourselves in an open air theatre where a group was starting to set up and rehearse for one of the free concert held occasionally in this space.

This time there was no concert but at the side of the empty stage I spotted steps descending to - where?

The information Board tells us that this gate-way was built into the walls in the 15th C. Larrons is an old French word for Thieves.
It was down these steps and from the quay below that convicted criminals were transported in small boats across the Bay to the waiting Gallows.

Museum of Fishing

The Museum is located in a building that has served as a barracks and an arsenal,and as a fishing school.
We did not visit it again on our last visit having spent a long time inside before. But it is well worth a visit.
As well as small craft you can see there films and models, exhibitions, demonstrations and everything to do with the perilous nature of fishing.The visit lasts at least an hour. Temporary art and photographic exhibitions of subjects related to the sea and fishing are also shown in the museum.

From our walk around the ramparts we had a bird's eye view of the old trawler Hémérica which is anchored on the quay at the back of the Museum. It is accessed from a gang plank from the museum and across the quay.
Visits can be made to the hold and the wheel house, the captain's quarters and storeroom.

Having seen from the ramparts above the rotting timbers of the deck, I was not surprised that taking a turn on deck is not included in the tour!

Address: 3 rue de Vauban, Ville Clos, Concarneau

Directions: You can't miss it - as you go through the arched entrance to the city you will be on the main street. The museum is one of the first buildings on the left.

Phone: 02 98 97 10 20