Our Top Reasons to Visit Pont Aven

Pont Aven, most famous for its connection with the artist Paul Gauguin and the painting school of Pont Aven is an extraordinarily pretty town in a bucolique setting. Set on the banks of the River Aven, which meanders its way through the attractive streets, and architectural delights, past the port, and towards the sea. The town was once home to twelve working mills and has been a destination for travellers since the late 1700s. Visitors and artists were attracted by its’ strong connection to nature and beautiful light, as well as the many welcoming auberges and local character.

Our top things to do in Pont Aven

Stay a While

The real charms of Pont Aven go far beyond the first impressions, a pretty port, and a few streets lined with galleries and biscuit shops. The centre is but a node, at times overladen with day-trippers. Stay a while, delve a bit deeper, and you will discover the gems this small town has to offer and why it has a thriving year round community. There are so many things to do here!

Pont Aven is the perfect base for a holiday escape. Because there is so much to do, and with everything reachable on foot, it is quite conceivable to stay a week without needing to get in a car. With easy access to green and beautiful nature, there are varied walks that depart from the centre. A short drive takes you to some of the most beautiful beaches in Brittany, and in the evening you have a range of fine restaurants on your doorstep.

Walk

The Xavier Grall, Pont Aven

A preamble! The Xavier Grall is a promenade along the river, lined with pretty trees, flowers and plants. From here you get a real feeling of the energy of the river with the rushing water beneath ones feet. The far end has a good view over the ‘Chaos’ of rocks, and of the last working flour mill in Pont Aven. Drop into Ty Bistro for a light refreshment. Cross over into the place Julia and meander through the town by following the river to the port.

The Sentier Cotier from Pont Aven

Follow the path downstream, past the port and its galleries and restaurants. Staying on the right hand side of the river, the GR34 footpath follows the river all the way to Port Manech and the sea.  Soon after leaving the port you will see why Paul Gauguin chose this area of Brittany. You may well recognise some of the views from his paintings. The light, large boulders and tall trees, are nothing but inspirational. The 12km footpath to the sea may be a little far for some, but this can be done in stages. A manageable walk is to the Moulin de Mer of Le Henan. Hug the river and then follow the signs and circle back through the woods to Pont Aven. Alternatively it is possible to contact one of the river boat companies and arrange a return by boat.

A new section of the GR34 has now been opened up on the left hand side of the river. You can now walk all the way from Pont Aven to the port of Rosbras. Simply hug the right hand side of the river and follow the signs, there are a couple of places where you are directed onto the road for a hundred or so metres, but then you are back on this newly trodden and delightful footpath. Aller Retour is 11km.

Walk the Bois d’Amour

Access the Bois d’Amour from the front door of the Kermaria holiday Apartments! A circular walk that winds its’ way up stream and through the woods returning to Pont Aven via the Haut Bois and the chapelle de Tremalo. It is very pretty, and accessible, and yes full of love. This is definitely one of our top reasons to visit Pont Aven.

From this side of town you can visit the wonderful Chapel de Tremalo, where Gauguin got his inspiration for the painting Le Christ Jaune. Here you can see the real thing.

A short drive takes you to the coast where you can follow the GR34 and walk endlessly along the unspoilt coastline. Some of our favourite sections are from Rospico to Port Manech, or from Kerfany Les Pins to the Plage de Trenez.

Go to a Museum

The Musée de Pont Aven or the Museum of beaux arts of Pont Aven is connected to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Not only does it have an important collection of Gauguin and The School of Pont Aven paintings,  but also an interesting history of the artistic heritage of the town, and some very interesting seasonal exhibitions. www.museepontaven.fr

On the River

The river Aven is stunning, to take to the water is completely sublime. This has to be one of the top reasons to visit Pont Aven.

Take an electric boat tour – La Bell ‘Aven  Tel. 07 65 70 48 42 www.labellaven.fr

Discover the River Aven on a small boat. It is possible to privately hire the boat with the captain Rita, and have a picnic, or you can tailor the trip to meet your needs.

Alternatively, canoes, paddle boards and kayaks can be hired from the Pagaie des Avens Tel. 0611975394

Eat and Drink

For such a small town, Pont Aven is spoilt for choice for high quality restaurants.

Here are some of our favourites.

Les 3 Buis, 6 rue des Abbes Tanguy, Pont Aven

This is an excellent small french Bistro, with an eclectic and funky interior. The food is of excellent quality and the menu is very good value. It is advisable to reserve in advance.

Oysters are a local speciality, and it is not hard to find a cabane where you can eat fresh oysters and drink a glass of muscadet in the most idyllic of settings. Either take the footpath towards Port Manech, and take a stop at Chez Honore at the Moulin a Maree at Le Henan, or hop over to Belon to the infamous Chez Jacky or the Chateau de Belon and enjoy the beautiful views over the estuary.

Creperie Armelle – Pont Aven

Made with high quality local ingredients and in a cosy setting in one of the old stone buildings of Pont Aven, these crepes verge on being gastronomic. Reserve in advance, as the queues down the street show just how popular it is.

Ty Bistro, 13 Rue du General de Gaulle, Pont Aven

Another oyster stop, with the best location in town overlooking ‘Le Chaos’ on the river Aven. Just steps from the apartments, it has the most friendly welcome and is a lovely place too for a drink, ice cream, or a light lunch.

La Promenade- Pont Aven

This restaurant has proved itself to be a favourite with visitors to Pont Aven. A high quality, and interesting menu, and an enviable position on the Xavier Grall walkway, seems to be an all round crowd pleaser.

The restaurant Moulin de Rosmadec – Pont Aven

The Moulin de Rosmadec has one of the most romantic settings possible on the banks of the River Aven. With its’ Michelin star and innovative chef, it completely lives up to expectations and is the perfect place for special occasions  Moulin de Rosmadec

L’Atelier Melanie

This is a new favourite, and a real gastronomic treat. The recently opened L’Atelier Melanie, in the next village of Riec sur Belon should definitely be on your list of places to eat out. The food is exquisite, exciting and innovative.  The welcome warm, and friendly, and trust the sommelier to recommend some very fine wines.  http://www.lateliermelanie.com

Les Penn Sardines

This food truck in the very cute old sardine port of Brigneau, is much more down to earth, and certainly a relaxed affair. Eat delicious grilled sardines with a crisp glass of wine, the ‘salade du jour’ or some local pate with fresh baguette, at generous wooden tables with a view over the water. You might be lucky enough to catch some live local music.

Eat Oysters

This area is famed for its’ Rias and oysters. There is a myriad of oyster bars, oyster shacks, and seafood restaurants to be found in the surrounding area. The most famous and renowned is Chez Jacky in Belon. Here you can eat oysters and fruits de mer and enjoy the sublime views over the River Belon. Reserve in advance, it is very popular. For something more simple, you can sit at one of the picnic benches at the Chateau de Belon next door and order a dozen huitres, a bottle of muscadet and enjoy a great view. Back in Pont Aven at Le Henan from June to September you will find one of the most divine oyster bars on the banks of the River Aven at Chez Honore.

Shop

La petite Galerie – Melissa Ferreira

Pont Aven is well known for its’ galleries, some may make you wish to close your eyes and walk on past, there are a few gems however that merit special attention. One of these is La Petite Galerie of Melissa Ferreira. Well worth hunting out in a little quiet corner next to the Church. 2 Place de L’Eglise, Pont Aven www.melissaferreira.net

L’Idee

This interior decoration shop has some beautiful objets, rugs and furniture, it has visitors from all over the region and you can’t help but be attracted by the beautiful window displays.

Boucan Cafe – Library

This small cafe and bookshop sells an eclectic selection of new and second hand books, some in foreign languages. It also serves light fare, and makes for a charming place to hang out, eat, read, and soak up some local flavour.

Wine Cave – La Part des Anges

A great selection of wine and spirits with good advice, and also a very nice wine bar to the rear.

Maison Le Darz on the Place Julia

This patisserie has some delicious local specialities. If the caramel au beurre sale and the Kouign Aman are not enough to tempt you, then the handmade chocolates and exquisite patisseries might just be too hard to resist.  Another option is Maison Larnicol which also has a tempting selection of Kouign Aman and local specialities.

Go to the Beach

Well this is a glorious cycle ride down small green lanes, or it is an easy 10km drive on clear roads to the most beautiful unspoilt coastline and a choice of idyllic white sand beaches, our favourites being Tahiti plage, Rospico and Port Manec’h, as well as the glorious beaches either side of the pointe de Trevignon. Take your pick, from the stretches of white sandy beach to hidden crreeks, it is very easy to find a quiet spot even in the height of summer.

Take a pottery class

La Potiere de Menil, not only sells beautiful handmade pottery, but offers small classes where you can make your own creations. You need to book in advance. https://lapotieredemenil.fr

Have a relaxing Deep Tissue Massage

To make your stay a little more special,  pre-book a massage by the trained and fully qualified massage therapist Cindy Thomas in your holiday accommodation at Kermaria, Pont Aven. Message me for details on how to book.

Stay

I think I have the answer to this one! Somewhere quite special to stay, and a top reason to visit Pont Aven. The River View Holiday Apartments of Kermaria