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On the water

Who says coastal department says water sports! The waves of the Atlantic Ocean are waiting for you, and the wind of the open sea promises you some strong sensations! Did you know that Morbihan attracts kitesurfers from far away, ready to test the ideal environment of the Quiberon peninsula? Depending on your level, your desires, and the weather conditions, the different spots of the department offer a playground for kitesurfing, from the peninsula of Gâvres to Locmariaquer, through the beaches of Erdeven and Carnac. Be careful to take into account the seasonal bans and the possible dangers of each site. Of course, if you are not a specialist yet, this is the opportunity to take lessons in order to learn this quite exceptional type of sliding!

For those who are fond of novelties, the wing foil is in full expansion and you will not miss to observe this newcomer of the water sports off the Morbihan coasts. A clever cross between several water sports, wing foiling consists in surfing on a stable paddle board, while being pulled by a sail (wing) held at arm's length and not attached to the board. Additional sensations of freedom are offered by the foil, an element attached under the board and comparable to an airplane wing, allowing to increase the speed and to "take off", by evolving above the water level! Note that this booming sport was originally born from a concept proposed in the 1980s by Roland Le Bail... a Breton, of course!

Surfing, too, remains an essential part of the Morbihan coastline, so put your board on the roof of your car, or rent one to enjoy the beautiful waves of the Atlantic! Of course, all nautical activities are represented in the department, and you will also be tempted to embark on larger or smaller boats: catamarans, small fishing boats, yachts... Perhaps you will board a sinagot, a traditional two-masted sailing boat, originally used for fishing and transport over short distances. Cruising or initiation to navigation, or even to the practice of sea fishing, all reasons are good to take the sea! Finally, if you want to enjoy the sensations of sailing, including the smell of the sea and the view of the ocean, but in an unusual way, we suggest... sand yachting! You can't miss this popular activity practiced on the beaches: these "sails" with wheels move at full speed on the sand, and promise to spend a sensational moment!

If you are looking for peaceful waters, you are obviously in the right place, since the Gulf of Morbihan will open to you for a kayak ride or a meditative moment on a paddle! The sceneries changing according to the lights are exceptional to admire, and the peace is total! Perhaps you will choose the river route to enter the Morbihan lands, in autonomy on a small electric boat or by letting you drive during a cruise. You will then have to pass through some of the locks of the Nantes-Brest Canal, a unique experience to live with your family!

Finally, you can enjoy the sea in the most immersive way: scuba diving! Many clubs offer you dives in protected environments, in search of seahorses in the gulf or to discover wrecks around the island of Groix!

On a frame

If the coastal landscapes characteristic of Morbihan make its reputation, the land also abounds in mythical places to explore! So, on horseback or by bike, choose your mount and set off on an adventure between the forests and typical villages of the interior and the majestic coastline to be explored with the wind in your hair!

Numerous bicycle paths are available in the department, not to mention the small roads ideal for pedaling in a charming setting, for a day or during an itinerant stay. Perhaps you will choose to take the famous Vélodyssée, which crosses the north of Morbihan on 112 kilometers, along the Canal from Nantes to Brest! Beyond the department, this mythical route offers a total of 1,200 kilometers on the Atlantic coast! The Morbihan part will take you through small towns of irresistible character such as Malestroit or Josselin! The banks of the Blavet Canal are also ideal for walks suitable for everyone, as are the numerous greenways (from Mauron to Questembert, from Lorient or Ploërmel, on the Rhuys peninsula, between Erdeven and Quiberon...).

For those who like to venture on more sportive paths, there is no lack of mountain bike tracks! In the Blavet Valley, in the Landes de Lanvaux, in La Roche Bernard, in the Pays de la Gacilly and up to the Broceliande forest, the exploration is endless and the thrills are there, with technical passages that only the bravest will brave! Don't forget to visit Auray, where superb circuits for all levels have been created since 2019.

Finally, if your favorite horse is more of a four-legged type and gallops along the beach or ventures into the forest, you will be delighted! Horseback riding on vast beaches at dusk, worthy of romantic movies, becomes a reality from Erdeven to Quiberon... But you can also explore the sumptuous landscapes of the Gulf of Morbihan or those of the inland, along the Equibreizh, an itinerary designed for riders in Brittany.

On your own two feet

Of course, if there is a simple and instinctive way to explore a territory and practice a sport activity, it is on your own two feet. Here again, hiking enthusiasts will not be disappointed, as Morbihan is full of hiking trails of all levels and sizes. If the highest point of the territory barely exceeds 300 meters of altitude, don't be mistaken, it will take a certain amount of energy to walk through the forest of Broceliande, the country of the King Morvan and its Black Mountains, the Landes de Lanvaux along the GR 38, or to walk around the lake of Guerlédan for 40 kilometers! And that's not all... The most determined hikers will be able to walk a part of the mythical GR 34, otherwise known as the "sentier des douaniers", the most coastal GR of all, proposing to follow the Breton coast on more than 2 000 kilometers! For the Morbihan part, it is the opportunity to spend several days roaming in breathtaking landscapes, between the cliffs of the Côte Sauvage on the Quiberon peninsula, the endless dunes of Erdeven, or around the Gulf of Morbihan... Another walking adventure to live, without any doubt, is to hike on an emblematic island of the department. From the tour of the island of Houat in four hours (14 kilometers) to the tour of Belle-Île-en-Mer in five days over 85 kilometers along the GR 340, passing by the 23 kilometers of trails of the Île-aux-Moines or by the tour of the island of Groix (27 kilometers), you will be spoiled for choice! In any case, the feeling of accomplishment is there, and both the kouign-amann break and the evening pancakes will be well deserved!

Beyond the hike in the middle of nature, your exploration on foot will allow you to visit the museums and major monuments of the territory, to stroll in the charming villages and the medieval cities, to be intoxicated by the smells of the local markets or to take part in the traditional festivities of the area, perhaps by learning a few dance steps during a boisterous Fest-noz?

But as we know, for some, it's more about... running! An exceptional challenge awaits you in Morbihan, like hundreds of runners every year at the end of June: run around the Gulf, over 177 km, the equivalent of four marathons put together, during the Ultra Marin! Otherwise, you can also register for the Vannes Marathon, in October, and plan to discover the Morbihan in the fall! Of course, outside of these major events, road or trail runners will find plenty of training grounds throughout the department, in all seasons!

But enjoying the Morbihan on your own two feet can also be a (quieter) opportunity to discover fishing on foot! This time, put on your rubber boots before going to the beaches at low tide to find the cockles, clams, crabs or razor clams that await you! More precisely, it is on the foreshore that you will find your treasures, that is to say on the part of the coastline, very rich in biodiversity, subject to the tides, and thus accessible only at low tide. Of course, we encourage you to get information or to be accompanied by local people, in order to make sure that you practice this activity in an environmentally friendly way.

In another style, but still on your own two feet, magnificent golf courses are waiting for you to hit the ball with a breathtaking view of the ocean! You'll see that the green and the sea air are a perfect match for a game of golf with family or friends, whether you're a beginner or not!

Effortless

Perhaps you have saved the best for last... It's up to you to tell us once you have tasted the pleasures of a thalasso session in one of the many centers in the department, in Carnac, Quiberon, Vannes, Belle-Île-en-Mer... The Morbihan is a destination renowned for its wellness activities. Relaxation, iodine treatments, natural therapies, massages, personalized diets... From a half-day spa to a stay in a spa, all options are open to you. It's the perfect time to disconnect and think about yourself.