The megaliths
With over 550 megalithic sites, it's impossible to miss these granite structures in Morbihan, and the Carnac menhir alignments are considered the world's largest. Dating back to the Neolithic period, they are certainly the first known act of architecture. The alignments are organized from east to west, from the smallest to the largest, although the reasons for this are not yet known. Many megaliths are associated with burials, such as dolmens (vertical stones supporting horizontal slabs), cairns (piles of stones) or tumuli (covering a grave with stones and earth).
Medieval architecture
Vannes, capital of the Morbihan region, is well worth a visit. Numerous buildings bear witness to its history. The ramparts, built on Gallo-Roman remains, are a reminder of the city's need to cope with conflict through the centuries. Since the 20th century, efforts have been made to preserve these rare urban fortifications. French-style gardens welcome visitors, events are organized and architectural restoration work is carried out.
The medieval period was marked by Christianity, and Saint-Pierre Cathedral was rebuilt in the 11th century after its destruction in the 10th century during the Norman invasions, as was Saint-Patern Church, named after the city's first bishop. Both buildings evolved over the centuries. Saint-Pierre Cathedral, which became Gothic in the 15th century, retains its Romanesque structure, with nave, choir and chapels. Work on the cathedral continued for centuries, and it was listed as a historic monument in 1906. The church of Saint-Patern, for its part, was affected by climatic conditions and rebuilt in the 18th century, then restored in 2007-2008 in Baroque style.
Other buildings remain from medieval Vannes, such as the Château-Gaillard, completed in 1410 and home to Bishop Jean de Malestroit, before becoming the seat of Parliament in the 16th century and today's Museum of History and Archaeology. Today's Musée des Beaux-Arts de Vannes also dates back to medieval times, when it was a market place known as "la cohue". The narrow streets of the town center, with their timber-framed houses that we particularly like for their very "medieval" feel, were built in the 15th and 16th centuries, i.e. during the Renaissance. The first floor of these houses serves as a shop and a solid granite base for the upper floors, which house dwellings and are often sloping, supported by corbels.
Other medieval monuments in Morbihan
If we had to name just one, the Domaine de Suscinio would stand out as Morbihan's most emblematic treasure trove of medieval architecture. This fortress on the Rhuys peninsula has more than eight centuries of history behind it. Today, the castle attracts many visitors, having once been the residence of the Dukes of Brittany, a hunting lodge and a Benedictine priory. You can admire its towers, moats, drawbridge, curtain walls and loopholes..
A few kilometers from Vannes, the Forteresse de Largoët is also a landmark of the medieval era, with its high octagonal keep, walls up to 9 meters thick, drawbridge... It has stood the test of time, with the dukes of Brittany vying for its ownership (the Blois and Montfort families) or encouraging its restoration (Anne de Bretagne). Conflicts and the passage of time caused it to fall into disrepair, but Prosper Mérimée had it listed as a historic monument in 1862, saving it from demolition.
The department's small towns and villages still contribute to this temporal change of scenery, such as La Gacilly (where the craft tradition of the Middle Ages lives on), Josselin (and its many medieval events), Malestroit, Guémené-sur-Scorff or places like the little port of Saint-Goustan in Auray. The architecture of chapels, churches and shops, as well as gargoyles and cobbled streets, all contribute to this unique atmosphere.
The Renaissance and the Rohan family
During this period, the noble Rohan line actively contributed to the department's architecture, as true patrons of the arts. The Château de Josselin is one of the family's most admired residences Although the original building was constructed in the Middle Ages and underwent many changes, it was in the 16th century that the house took a decisive turn, with the extremely refined renovation carried out by Jean II de Rohan. Its facade became one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture in France, with decorative motifs carved in granite of great finesse. The château still belongs to the Rohan family, whose successive generations have devoted themselves to its renovation, such as Duke Alain de Rohan in the 1860s.
The Château de Pontivy is another outstanding example of 15th and 16th century fortified castle architecture in Brittany: thick walls, imposing circular towers at the corners of a rectangular structure, moats..
Contemporary period: military and religious architecture
Morbihan also boasts a number of military forts built in the 19th century, particularly on the region's islands and peninsulas. Examples include Porh Puns in Gâvres, Penthièvre in Quiberon and Port Maria on Belle-Île-en-Mer. The Port-Louis citadel stands out for its history and architecture. It protects the Lorient roadstead and is linked to the history of the Compagnie des Indes, whose museum it now houses.
A major building of our time is the sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray, built at the end of the 19th century. This sumptuous neo-Gothic monument is fascinating for its stained glass windows, its height, its sculptures... It is a major pilgrimage site, where Saint Anne, patron saint of Brittany, is celebrated during the Grand Pardon on July 26.
