Gâvres combines a long, south-facing sandy beach with a coastal landscape and several historical landmarks. It is also home to the 560-hectare Petite Mer de Gâvres and the dune landscape of the Dunes Sauvages de Gâvres à Quiberon Grand Site de France. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth considering whether you want to focus mainly on the coast and nature, a circular walk or historic buildings.
Coast, dunes and inland sea
The long sandy beach of Gâvres faces south. Alongside it, the Dunes Sauvages de Gâvres à Quiberon Grand Site de France stretches for 35 kilometres of ocean dunes from Gâvres to Quiberon. The Petite Mer de Gâvres forms a different kind of landscape: it is a 560-hectare inland sea. The species recorded there also give this natural setting a tangible dimension. Thirty-five species have been recorded in the Petite Mer, including 11 protected species. The beach, dunes and inland sea represent different aspects of the coastal landscape and offer several starting points for planning a trip.
Planning the circular walk and your journey
The Tour de la presqu'île de Gâvres circular walk is considered easy; it is 5 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. It starts at Port de Ban-Gâvres. Its length and approximate duration make it easy to set aside a specific block of time during your stay. As routes may be diverted temporarily, check the route before setting out. Gâvres is easily reached by Batobus from Lorient and Port-Louis. Check the timetable before travelling so you can factor the connection into your arrival plans.
Archaeological remains and architectural history
The Roman remains at Kersahu attest to ancient settlement in the Gâvres area. Goërem is home to another archaeological landmark: the megalithic monument is a dolmen covered by a cairn and a tumulus. The dolmen dates from around 2450 BC; its unique rectangular layout is a distinctive feature. It was classified as a historic monument in 1965. Kersahu points to ancient settlement, while the dolmen’s form, dating and classification help place the monument itself in context.
Fort de Porh Puns is another distinct historical landmark. It is also known by the Breton names Porh Punz and Port-Puce, and was built in 1695 as the first fort in Gâvres to protect Port-Louis. The church of Saint-Gildas provides another precisely dated detail: its foundation stone was laid on 21 July 1887. Together, these dates span a period from the dolmen, around 2450 BC, to the fort of 1695 and the laying of a foundation stone in the 19th century. This makes it possible to understand Gâvres as a destination through its different historical periods.
Choose what to focus on during your stay
When comparing hotels in Gâvres, first consider whether you want your stay to focus on the beach and coastal landscape, the natural environment or the historical landmarks. This will help you tailor your search to what you want to discover on your trip.
Discover more destinations: Le Tour-Du-Parc, Saint-Aignan, Gourin, Larré, Guémené-Sur-Scorff, Molac, Péaule, Noyal-Pontivy.
Return to the main travel overview: Morbihan.
