Explore Saint-Gildas-De-Rhuys through a range of themes: the architectural history of the abbey church, coastal landscapes and activities on the water. When planning your stay, one simple question can help: should your trip focus mainly on heritage, a coastal hike or a particular sporting activity? The places and activities each have their own character, giving you several possible themes for your time here.
The abbey church and local heritage
The abbey church of Saint-Gildas was built in the 6th century at the request of the Count of Vannes by Gildas, a monk from Scotland. In the 11th century, monks from Fleury Abbey rebuilt the church several times; its choir is Romanesque. Its early foundation and a later building phase therefore stand side by side.
The commune’s local heritage includes 60 fountains and 14 crosses. The Dolmen de Port-aux-Moines and the Menhir de Kercambre are freely accessible. The Tour Prison is commonly dated to the 16th century. These varied landmarks give culturally minded travellers several specific points of interest, without requiring them to follow a single sightseeing itinerary.
Between the abbey church and the Tour Prison is the Bouquinerie de la Tour Prison. It opens onto a garden with old books, engravings and drawings, where visitors are invited to read. Check whether the shop is open before your trip. The Les Étangs walking route also has a cultural connection: it includes a detour to the Musée des arts, métiers et commerces.
Cliffs, coast and beaches
In Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys, the GR®34 runs along the seaward side of the cliffs at Grand Mont.
The beaches differ in their described features. Goh Velin beach lies behind dunes and offers direct views of Quiberon Bay and its islands. Kerver beach is the largest beach in the commune. Goh Velin is therefore characterised by its dune setting and views, while Kerver is notable for its size. Beach conditions and access regulations may change seasonally.
Water sports and golf
Goh Velin is also a place to start for activities on the water: the Club nautique du Rohu welcomes children and adults, as well as beginners and advanced participants, at the beach. As a French sailing school, the club offers year-round equipment hire and private lessons in windsurfing, catamaran sailing, dinghy sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wing foiling and sailing J80 day boats. As activities may change, check the current offerings before your trip.
Golf Rhuys Kerver offers a different sporting option. It has an 18-hole seaside course in the Bretagne Sud–Golfe du Morbihan ornithological reserve, where grey herons and egrets can be found. Water sports and golf thus differ clearly in both activity and setting.
Port aux Moines
Port aux Moines was once a natural shelter in a cleft in the rocks, used by the monks of the abbey, and it remains a harbour today. The present-day Port aux Moines can accommodate 117 boats; this capacity figure may change. Together with the architectural history of the abbey church, the harbour’s history offers another perspective on the town’s links with its past.
Discover more destinations: Guidel, Séné, Carentoir, Colpo, Larré, Peillac, Kerroch, Le Cours.
For the regional travel overview: Morbihan.
