La Roche-Bernard is a friendly little Petite Cité de Caractère - that is, a small town full of historic interest and good facilities. It is a very flowery town - a ville fleurie - and a renowned gastronomic centre.

Situated on the River Vilaine between two coastal areas of outstanding natural beauty, the town also has a wonderful maritime history. Recently a new by-pass has been built, further inland from the famous suspension bridge, so we now have peace and tranquillity but with easy access to any part of Brittany - for example, Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan is less than 40 kilometres.

The remains of an older bridge can be seen - this was destroyed during the war when a German ammunition dump at one end of the bridge was struck by lighting!

We've noticed that choosing food (especially luscious cakes) or peering at restaurant menus is a favourite activity for most of our guests. The river, bridges and boats are truly magnificent and everyone loves waterside walks - presumably to walk off those cakes? There is a fascinating well-marked historical route around the old town and even the Mairie (Town Hall), Tourist Office and Naval Museum are sited in splendid buildings.

Sports facilities in La Roche-Bernard include sailing, wind-surfing, swimming (lovely pool), tennis etc.. For walkers, the famous Grande Randonnée 39 (footpath) practically passes our door, and some people plan a good walk by taking one of the boat trips out and walking back.

There are concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, antique and bric-à-brac fairs taking place regularly, plus the local cinema (La Couronne). If all this sounds exhausting, a glass of wine and a good book in your very own garden should fit the bill!

Some History...

Way back around 919 AD, the Vikings came up the Vilaine River and were attracted to some high rocks to starboard surrounded on three sides by water. They decided to settle in this place which would be easy to defend. Their chief was called Bern-Hart - which means "strong as a bear". The settlement which these invaders fron the North then went on to create was named La Roche-Bernard.

Now that the Arzal Dam has been built, the Vilaine has become a vast expanse of fresh water with no tidal effects. A new harbour has been created - a haven for pleasure boats - and La Roche-Bernard has become the meeting place of sea-going boats and those which navigate the beautiful canals of Brittany