Description:

There has been a settlement at Morlaix since a Count chose the location to build a castle in the 11th century.  Morlaix was once known as a great old Breton port and was a centre of trade in the middle ages between Brittany and England, Spain and Holland.  Unfortunately the castle is long gone, however much of the old centre remains in the town.

Today the town is reminiscent of a Cornish town and is indeed twinned with Truro in Cornwall.  The most striking feature is the 19th century pink granite viaduct which overlooks the town and is used by the Paris-Brest railway.

Morlaix is a Sub Prefecture (sous prefet) of Quimper.

Morlaix is in the north of the Finistere department in north western Brittany.

The town has been built at the base of three hills at the confluence of two rivers, the Jarlot and Queffleut.  The main town has grown up the slope from the rivers and now covers an area of 24.82 km².

Morlaix has an all day market every Saturday in the centre of the town.  For all other groceries there are 6 supermarkets in the Morlaix area.

Morlaix is known as a great shopping area and has lots of larger chain stores as well as unique little boutiques and craft shops.

Morlaix contains all the facilities and services you would expect from a large town.  There are numerous schools, doctors, dentists, a hospital, banks and a train station.  There is one centralised Post Office. 

You can also find a two theatres, two Cinemas and three swimming complexes as well as some excellent restaurants and bistros.

The 'Musee de Morlaix' which is housed at the 'Maison a Pondalez' contains a good range of items.  Next to this is the Museum of Jacobins which is in a former convent and contains a small collection of local history. 

The area around Morlaix is covered in pre-historic dolmen, dating back thousands of years.  An unmissable walk is the 'Barnenez Cairn Trail' - a stunning 10 km hike to the 6,000 year old Cairn and its 11 Neolithic dolmen.

There are two main events in the Morlaix calendar.  The 'Festival Panoramas' held in April features several days of contemporary music whilst the popular 'Le Festival des Arts dans la Rue' in August attracts over 20,000 visitors to its open-air displays of contemporary arts.

Worth a visit:

• Visit the 'Eglise Saint Mathieu' which was built in 1548 and contains an extremely rare 'vierge ouvrante', a statue of the virgin and child that opens to reveal the holy trinity

• Stop at one of the cafes in the 'Place des Otages' square and admire the many 17th century mansions

• Eglaise Saint Melaine - 1489 oldest church in morlaix.  Contains 1682 organ and amusing caricatures from the time

• Stroll through the 'Parc Botanique de Suscinio'

• Take a look at the 'Phare de L’ile Vierge', Frances tallest lighthouse
• Visit the 'Maison de la Duchesse Anne', a museum set in one of the oldest houses in Morlaix