Vannes
Vannes is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It was founded over 2000 years ago.
Vannes is located on the Gulf of Morbihan at the mouth of two rivers, the Marle and the Vincin. It is around 100 km northwest of Nantes and 450 km south west of Paris. Vannes is a market town and often linked to the sea.
The name Vannes comes from the Veneti, a seafaring Celtic people who lived in the south-western part of Armorica in Gaul before the Roman invasions.
Monuments and sights
- Cathedral of St Peter, gothic cathedral
- Church of St Patern, classic church
- Chapel of Saint-Yves, baroque church
- Château Gaillard (medieval house now used as an archaeological museum)
- Musée de la Cohue (fine arts museum)
- Hôtel de Ville
- Old city walls, which include : Tour du Connétable (a large medieval tower part of the old city walls)
- Château de l'Hermine (former castle, transformed into a palace in the 17th century)
- Porte Calmont, medieval city gate
- Porte Prison, medieval city gate
- Porte Poterne, medieval city gate
- Porte Saint-Jean, medieval city gate
- Porte Saint-Vincent, 18th century city gate
- Many timber-framed houses in the old town
- The harbour
