Wendy Mewes’ Walk no.20 from Walking and other Activities in Finistère guided us on a wonderful walk on the Crozon Peninsula. The book is invaluable – do not go to Brittany without this book and its partner. The route is around the headland, taking in wide sea views over the Rade de Brest, rocky cliffs, and the remains of two defence systems – those of Vauban in the 18C and the German Army in WWII. We passed the Alignments of Lagatjar, and then visited the memorial to the Battle of the Atlantic.
Camaret-sur-Mer was very busy on Sunday, the traditional family lunch day in France, and we squeezed into a car parking space in the Old Port which was packed with boats, cars, and people. At the end of the breakwater is the Chapel of Notre Dame de Rocamadour (1610-83), built on the site of a much earlier chapel, and the Vauban Tower, part of the defence system for Brest and built here in 1669-94.
The path curves around the headland and allows for views over Camaret-sur-Mer and the Rade de Brest. The remains of German fortifications from WWII are clear.
The Manoir de Coecilian was built by Saint Pol Roux (1861-1940), a French poet.
Just beyond the ruined house, on the edge of Camaret-sur-Mer, are the Alignments of Lagatjar. I visited previously as well and last year’s post has lots of details about the site.
And so back into the town.
I had noticed a Memorial to the Battle of the Atlantic on the map and managed to persuade the driver that it was still too early in the day to return to the gîte and put up our feet! The Memorial remembers 45,000 merchant seamen who died, as well as the 30,000 submariners from both sides.
Further information
The Vauban Tower
Another walk in this area
The Battle of the Atlantic
Memorial Museum to the Battle of the Atlantic, Camaret
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