Concarneau’s visitors’ marina sits in the shadow of an impressive 16th Century fortified Citadel creating the unusual set up of a city within a city. The castellated walls surround a warren of medieval streets and alleyways lined with very smart boutiques, cafes and restaurants which entice those of low moral fibre (eg: us!) to sit and enjoy long seafood lunches with chilled drinks – so that was our first day
Having been on the move almost continuously since arriving in France, we decided to have a few lazy days and so booked into the marina for the best part of a week. It was also a good chance to catch up with Richard and Jan again as their 2022 adventure had reached the point where they had to plan their return journey back towards the UK.
Coinciding with our visit, the city was playing host to the first round of a super trimaran racing series, the Finistère Atlantique. Leaving Concarneau, they started south on a 6400 mile circular course around Lanzarote and the Azores with their return being an amazing seven to eight days later! On leaving, these enormous boats were aided by inflatable dinghies either side of them to prevent any damage from the rocky sides as they practically filled the entrance channel! Our meagre photographs cannot do them justice.
Once again the Bromptons were unfolded and we headed out of town to visit Chateau de Keriolet. After a gruelling uphill cycle and push up a marked ‘cycle path’ through a forest and with Nina nearing a sense of humour failure, we made it! This beautiful 19th century neo-Gothic building has been home to Princesses, Counts and Marquises during its turbulent times. I can tell you no more about this fairy tale building as the guide at the tourist information had misinformed us about Saturday opening times – in that there weren’t any! In the shade of the closed ticket office, we nibbled our sandwiches and then tried to sneak a wander through the gardens until we were caught and politely asked to leave. A high speed, downhill, freewheeling ride back to the boat completed another day.
2nd July 2022
Trip Mileage 9 miles
Mileage Completed 1897 miles