Description:

Concarneau is made up of two distinct parts - a modern town on the mainland and a medieval walled town situated on an island in the centre of Concarneau harbour.

The ancient town was traditionally known as a centre of shipbuilding whilst the modern town is the third largest fishing port in France.  Concarneau is an extremely popular resort and the view of the medieval walled town is one of the most photographed sights in Brittany.

Concarneau is listed as a 'Ville et Pays D'art et D'histoire' - essentially reserved for towns that demonstrate they are trying to make the most of their setting, attractiveness and architecture.

Concarneau is in the department of Finistere on the South West coast between Quimper and Lorient.  The town covers an area of 41.08 km² and is one of the 17 cantons of Quimper.

Concarneau's ancient town is situated on an islet in the Moros estuary and is just 350 meters wide by 100 meters long.

There is a covered market every morning in Concarneau town centre which is also home to a few stalls on Saturday afternoons.  There is also a market every Monday and Friday morning opposite the Ville Close as well as an organic market every Wednesday from 5pm at the covered market square.

From 6 am every morning visitors can also watch the fast paced fresh fish market.

Concarneau has a good range of shops with several  grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers and tabacs.  It also has two wine caves, numerous bookstores, a hardware store and lots of clothes and shoe shops.  For all other groceries there are over 9 supermarkets in Concarneau with all the main chains having a branch within the area.

Concarneau three Ecole Primaires et Maternelles, four Colleges and a Lycee.

The town has the facilities and services you would expect from a busy town such as a post office, several hair salons, garages, dentist practices, doctors practices,  banks, pharmacies and opticians.  There are also vets, a town library and centrally located Gendarmerie and Pompier. 

Concarneau has a hospital and an ophthalmologist practice. 

Concarneau has lots of things to do for entertainment with three cinemas, two karting centres and three bowling complexs.  There are also numerous restaurants, creperies and café bars many of which serve locally caught fresh fish.

Concarneau is a very popular area with tourists and has over 23 hotels and 10 campsites.  There are also lots of good options for Chambre d’Hote and Gite accommodation in the area.

There are lots of small beaches all around Concarneau which are great for families.

Concarneau is home to the lively La Fete des Filets Bleus, every August, which celebrates fishermen through traditional dance and entertainment.

No visit to Concarneau would be complete without a visit to the old walled city which is filled with interesting medieval streets, shops and restaurants.  For some great views of the town walk along the old town ramparts which are all beautifully lit at night.

Worth a visit:

• Visit the Musee de la Peche, the fishing museum, which is within the walls of the town

• View the local flora and marine life at Le Marinarium which has a large 120,000 litre pool

• Take a boat trip from the town to the Iles de Glénan which is a small archipelago home to a sailing school and seabird sanctuary 
• Follow one of the general or themed tours held regularly by Concarneau tourist office

Due to its location on the coast, Concarneau has some great watersports facilities especially for sailing.  Other populare water sports include surfing and swimming.  The Concarneau area itself  offers good golf, horse riding and hiking facilities.

Other popular associations include theatre, arts, athletics, archery, running, judo, rugby, yoga, tennis and crafts.