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Top 10 Things To Do In Lorient

Lorient is a seaport located in the Morbihan department of Brittany in the northwestern region of France on the southern coast at the mouths of the Blavet River and Scorf River. Lorient is commonly referred to as the five-port city; Fishing harbor, which is the second-largest in France, Commercial harbor, it was the operating base of the Perpetual Company of the Indies, Military harbor, Passengers harbor and Yachting harbor.

The town was trampled by multiple bombs during the war to prevent freshwater and supplies from reaching the German submarine base. This resulted in the destruction of Lorient historical monuments but there those monuments that survived this massive destruction. Let鈥檚 explore 10 fun things to do in the city of Lorient where almost everything has a maritime theme;

1. Cite De La Voile Eric Tabarly

Centre-Eric-Tabarly – Wikipedia

The Cite de la Voile was open to the public in April 2008 in a sumptuous modern building adorned with marine lines. The building was designed by architect Jacques Ferrier and build in the former Lorient submarine base. It is the only museum in Europe completely dedicated to ocean sailing and racing.

The museum is named after Eric Tabarly who won various prestigious races in the 60s and 70s on board his cutter, Pen Duick. This cutter is on display in the museum. The museum was opened immediately after the disappearance of Eric Tabarly.

The museum educates its visitors on old and modern boat construction methods and stories and techniques of sailing through films, fun manipulations, boat reconstructions, a pool of radio-controlled sailboats and a 10 seat simulator that transports you straight to the high seas in a racing boat.

2. Ile De Groix

Groix-le-port – Wikipedia

Ile De Groix is a 7km long by 3km wide island just 3km away from Lorient. It is the region鈥檚 second-largest island. The Port-Tudy used to be the largest tuna fishing base in France. The island is covered with high cliffs on its north coast and sandy beaches in private coves on the south coast.

The island is described as being a small piece of paradise with visitors being amazed by the white sandy convex beaches bordered by the crystal clear water. The island is a place for you to relax, swim and part in water sport.

3. Gabriel Hotel

Hotel Gabriel 1866 – Wikimedia Commons

The Gabriel hotel is a collection of 18th-century neoclassical buildings located in the Enclos du port. The hotel was designed by Jacques Gabriel within the guidelines of the Perpetual Company of Indies that had commissioned its construction. The hotel rooms were used as merchant shops for sale of goods. The Gabriel hotel is a testimony to the wealth that was amerced with the silks and spices trade.

Today the building is owned by the municipality and it installed its architectural and heritage archives and animation services there. The building also has a lovely parterre in the courtyard which hosts Breton cultural events.

4. Notre Dame de Victoire Church

Notre-Dame Victoire – Wikimedia Commons

Notre Dame de Victoire Church is a Roman Catholic parish church that was completed in 1955. The church was designed by Jean-Baptiste. The church is built on the ruins of Saint Louis church, built in 1810, that was destroyed by the 1943 bombings. The Church was named after the raid of British to Lorient in 1746. It is considered to be the most important parish in Lorient and was labeled an official 鈥�20th-century聽heritage鈥� building.

The interior ceiling is covered with black and yellow windows that illuminate the church. The exterior of the church is built with reinforced concrete showing Lorient鈥檚 willingness to embrace new emerging modern designs.

5. Scorff River

Scorff – Wikipedia

The Scorff is a 78.6 km long river that flows from Central Brittany and joins the Blavet River before entering the Atlantic Ocean on the South Coast in Lorient. The river is classified as 鈥渇irst category鈥�. The river has an elongated shape as it stretches along a North-South axis. The lower half of its basin belongs to the Pays de Lorient.

The river is popular for fishing and it is home to Brown trout and Atlantic Salmon. Be amazed by the sheer determination of the Atlantic Salmon go up the river to reproduce. Admire the underwater flora and plant typology of its banks.

6. Keroman Fishing Port

Keroman Port – Wikimedia Commons

The Keroman Fishing port was built in the 1920s under the 200 million law whose goal was to develop French fishing fleet. Its development slowed down during world war II and the construction of the Lorient submarine base nearby. After the war the port found success.

The port鈥檚 main activities are fishing and seafood processing. In 2014 the port was declared the leading fish port in terms of value and the second French fishing port in terms of fishing volume.

Visit this port and see the day to day activities that take place in a fishing harbor from docking of fishing ships full of there captures to the naval construction and repairs.

7. Museum of the Indian Company

French East African Company – Wikipedia

Since 1984 the Museum of Indian Company has been housed in one of the buildings of the Citadel of Port-Louis. The built is a 17^th Century military architecture that the Spanish initiated but it was complete by Jacques Corbineu. It is the only museum in France that deals with this topic.

The Indian company was a commercial Imperial enterprise, founded in 1664. Its main purpose was to trade in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The museum documents the rise of the French East India Company and how Lorient grew around it. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions of Vessel models, engravings, old maps, Indo-European furniture, China porcelains and Indian cotton.

8. The Discovery Tower

Lorient Tour de la d茅couverte – Wikipedia

The discovery tower translates to translate to Tour de la D茅couverte. The 40-meter granite tower was built in 1786 to replace a smaller earlier structure, built between 1737 and 1744, at the port enclosure on Le Faouedic hill. The tower was designed by Philippe Guillois. As the earlier tower had been struck twice by lighting the new build was equipped with one of the first lightning conductors.

The tower was not initially meant to be a lighthouse as it did not have a light rather it was used to monitor the port鈥檚 activities and watch out for any smugglers. Enjoy climbing the 216 steps to the top, where an aerial view of the port awaits.

9. Festival Interceltique

Festival Interceltique de Lorient 2006 – Wikimedia Commons

This celebration takes place in the month of August during the first fortnight. The festival is held in celebration of the Celtic heritage. The celebration lasts for ten days. The festivity includes all Celtic nations, from Galicia to Scotland.

During the extravaganza, Brittany is represented by the instruments that played such as the bombard, a double-reep pipe and the bagpipes. The festival has 200 shows planned and thousands of booked performers. The festivals bloodline is music and dance.

10. FC Lorient

FC Lorient logo – Wikipedia

Football is a very sacred game in many Europe nations. People have come up with funny weird rituals that they believe that they always have to perform so that their teams win. Lorient has a time of their own, FC Lorient. 聽Come and experience the real spirit of football by watching a live match at the home stadium of the time, Stade du Moustoir.

The team was formed in 1926 and thus has a rich history behind it which you can learn about during your visit. Come watch Les Merlus and understand what the fuss around Europe football.