The historic capital of the Venetians, a Celtic Gaulish people, Vannes was conquered by Julius Caesar in 56 BC and renamed Darioritum. Vannes became Vannes again at the end of the Empire. Fortifications were built between the 3rd and5th centuries, and the town became Christianized: Saint Patern was consecrated first bishop of Vannes around 465. The city was taken over by the Breton king Waroch II in 578 and became the capital of the kingdom of Broërec, whose geographical boundaries correspond more or less to those of present-day Morbihan. Vannes finally became part of Brittany in 851, where it became the seat of ducal power. The Parliament of Brittany, as a sovereign court, was held in Vannes from 1485 to 1553, until it was moved to Rennes and Nantes, where sessions are held twice a year, alternating between the two cities.Nestled in the hollow of the Gulf of Morbihan, the city of Vannes has preserved many vestiges of its fortifications: its ramparts, towers (Tour du Bourreau, Tour Poudrière, Tour du Connétable, etc.) and gates (Porte Saint-Vincent, Porte Prison, etc.) bear witness to the city's medieval past and are an integral part of its urban planning. Tours of certain parts of the fortifications are organized by the tourist office. The gardens, known as "des remparts", are also well worth a visit, and host a number of events each year: medieval festivals, book fairs, jazz festivals, etc.In the town center, stroll along Place de la Mairie, where you can admire the façade of the Saint-Yves chapel, renovated in 2021, then glide towards the old town via Rue Émile Burgault, to Place Henri-IV, where the Saint-Pierre cathedral and Musée de la Cohue face each other. Head down Rue des Orfèvres to admire for a moment the mysterious carved sign "Vannes et sa femme", probably dating from the 16th century, located at the corner of Rue Noé and Rue Bienheureux-Pierre-René-Rogues. You arrive at Place des Lices, where the Halles market is open every morning. On Saturdays, the weekly market stretches across the square to the fish market. Finally, take rue Saint-Vincent, which leads through the gateway of the same name to the marina. On foot or by bike, the riverbanks are landscaped and lead you to the pier, the departure point for cruises around the Gulf and to the islands. If you keep going, you'll reach the pretty Conleau peninsula.

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La tour du Connétable du XV<sup>e</sup> siècle, intégrée à l'enceinte de la vieille ville. Irène Alastruey - Author's Image
La ville fortifiée de Vannes. JackF - iStockphoto.com
Le port de Vannes. Isabelle LEDOUX

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