A nice walk in Pont-Aven

Pont-Aven, famous for its school of painting, is a beautiful little town located in Brittany

Originally Pont-Aven was a modest village, the main resource was the river Aven, its presence allowed the development of water mills to grind grain. The port will never know a great activity because located too far from the sea it is usable only during certain hours of tides. What will change the fate of this small village is the arrival of Parisian painters from the 1860s, attracted by the cost of living and the beauty of landscapes, they will paint nature and make Pont-Aven a place known worldwide. Today Pont-Aven lives mainly from tourism but the city has kept all its charm. A place to visit!

Interest: ratinggood (2 users)
Difficulty: difficulty
Duration: 3 h.
Departure point (Google Maps)

The port

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The port
The harbor, which has long been used for trade with the surrounding towns, is now only used by boaters.

Xavier Grall Promenade

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Xavier Grall Promenade
The route follows the Xavier Grall walk (Breton journalist and writer) which winds along the Aven. There are of course restaurants that have set up along the river to take advantage of the magnificent landscape. Not to be missed.

Granite blocks

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Granite blocks
Huge granite blocks that serve as playgrounds for children slow down the course of the Aven. The Aven is a 37 kilometer long river that flows into the ocean.

The art galleries

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The art galleries
There are many art galleries in the center of Pont-Aven.

Bois d'Amour

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Bois d'Amour
For the second part of the walk, follow the signs indicating "Bois d'Amour". You will pass by the "Moulin Neuf" a mill which is no longer in activity today. At this place the river is very calm and suitable for bathing, Gauguin was inspired by it to realize a painting "Bathing in the Bois d'Amour".

Along the Aven river

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Along the Aven river
The walkway still runs along the Aven River but now passes through a wooded area.

The top of the Bois d'Amour

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The top of the Bois d'Amour
You return to the center of Pont-Aven by following a shaded path in the Bois d'Amour.

The downtown area

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The downtown area
The city of Pont-Aven is also famous for its galettes, this activity was able to develop thanks to the presence of many mills that provided flour. There are still some stores in the city center that perpetuate this tradition. The Gloanec guesthouse in the center of the square welcomed the greatest painters of the Pont-Aven school.

A mill

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A mill
14 mills were built in Pont-Aven. A famous saying even said: "Pont-Aven, 14 mills, 15 houses".

Bathing at the Bois d'Amour Mill by Gauguin

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Bathing at the Bois d'Amour Mill by Gauguin
The reputation of the city owes much to Paul Gauguin, the painter came to spend the summer in Pont-Aven then left for Paris for the winter.

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