Concarneau – Introduction

Concarneau as a city is nothing to write home about if it weren’t for its walled city (Citadelle or Ville Close). The walled city, located in the harbour, is beautiful and intact. One has to assume that walking the old cobblestone streets is like walking them centuries ago. Concarneau’s walled city is a bit like walking in the Mont Saint Michel but without the need to climb a steep hill. Click here to read more about the walled city.

The city itself, with some 20,000 inhabitants, is dominated on one side by a number of resort hotels, spas and talassoterapia institutions. and of course, a long beach and on the other side by an enormous harbour.

Driving alongside the coast line where all the hotels are, after a few minutes you arrive at the city itself.

Lighthouse phare de la Croix

Just before the “real” city starts, you will find an interesting, small, lighthouse, church and museum.

The 12 meter high lighthouse was built in 1848.

The small church followed by …

the Maritime museum of Concarneau (Marinarium). The museum is also a maritime laboratory, the oldest still functioning lab in the world (founded in 1859).

Once you’ve passed this point, you will arrive at two rather very large car parks. The car park is in between the city itself and the beautiful walled city (citadelle).

From here, your choice is to enter the old walled city or discover the city itself.

If you go for the city itself, a few 100 meters away from the parking area you’ll immediately see a quite large and imposing covered market of Concarneau (like all markets in France, it’s called “Les Halles”).

The streets in the city are not remarkable. There are however a lot of shops, but the streets and houses are nothing to write home about.

The Harbour

The harbour/port of Concarneau is very big. It’s one of France’s biggest commercial fishing harbours. As far as you can see, boats everywhere. There are some 150 commercial fishing boats and some 800 pleasure boats moored here. Of course, the harbour itself is dominated by the walled city fortress.

On the other side of the harbour (and Citadelle) you will find a big maritime school:

And also houses, but not much touristy items

Summary

The city itself of Concarneau can be easily skipped unless you’re staying in one of the spa hotels on the beach… or if you are a sailor and have moored your boat in the big harbour.

But the walled city is a MUST see.

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