The surroundings are delightfully
Breton and the weather is noticeably
warmer than in the ChannelGolden sands in front
of Le Minaret, a former
hotel built in the 1920s
low Glénan islands enclose magical bays and lagoons where clear
shallow water gleams turquoise over white sand. The popular
spots have visitors’ buoys, but there are secret anchorages too.
Île St Nicolas has two bar-restaurants − La Boucane in the old
lifeboat house and Les Viviers perched above some shellfi sh
ponds next to the jetty. You can also visit Glénan by ferry
from Bénodet – see http://www.vedettes-odet.com.FAMILY ACTIVITIES
LE CENTRE UCPA DE BÉNODET This amazing
watersports centre is a mile east of Bénodet in
La Mer Blanche, a tidal inlet almost landlocked
by a long dune. They do many activities here,but kitesurfi ng and Hobie Cats are especially popular. Outgoing
teens will love this cool centre de voile and you can book residential
courses for a week. Contact Fabrice Bourbon, UCPA, Le Letty,
29950 Bénodet. Tel: +33 (0)298 570326. Email: benodet@ucpa.
asso.fr. Web: http://www.ucpa-vacances.com/centre/france/benodet.
SURFING LESSONS Some nearby beaches have just the right
surf for beginners and École de Surf de Bénodet will collect
customers from the marinas. Contact
Pierrik Clorennec. Tel: +33 (0)698VISITS ASHORE
VISIT HISTORIC QUIMPER From
Bénodet quay, take a morning vedette
upriver to the old market town of
Quimper. The north bank medieval
quarter is a treat to wander and you
might lunch at the Crêperie Au Vieux
Quimper in Rue Verdelet. Then cross
to the south bank and meander downstream to La Faïencerie
Henriot-Quimper, the famous pottery which produces such
evocative hand-painted designs refl ecting Breton culture. La
Faïencerie is in Place Berardier near Locmaria priory gardens.
Web: http://www.henriot-quimper.com.
A CULINARY GEM In Bénodet, you must visit my friend
Véronique, who runs sociable cooking workshops at Ateliers
Crêpes by Véro. Crêperies are part of Brittany cruising and a lunch
or supper of savoury fi lled galettes can hit the mark perfectly.
Véronique shows you how to make these delicious comestibles at
home with her multilingual La Complète sessions. Ateliers Crêpes
is at 41 Rue Jean Charcot, ten minutes’ walk inland from the town
church. Contact Véronique Larhant-Le Berre (she speaks excellent
English). Tel: +33 (0)675 754991. Web: http://www.crepesbyvero.fr.Picturesque Breton
houses line the
waterfront at St MarineKitesurfi ng is just one
of the many watersports
on offer in BénodetTRAVELHand-painting pottery
in Quimper