PONT-L'ABBé

'Pont-l'Abbé' ('Pont-n'Abad' in Breton = "Abbot's bridge") is a commune of the Finistère ''département'', in France. It is the capital of the Bigouden Country.

Contents

Introduction

Monuments

Places to visit

Twin towns

Introduction

The self-styled capital of Bigouden (roughly the region between the river Odet and the Bay of Audierne), Pont-l'Abbé was founded by the monk of Loctudy who built the first bridge across the river estuary (hence the name). The monk also built the castle, which dates originally from the 14th century

Monuments

★ The 'Pont-l'Abbé's castle' (City hall and Bigouden museum (Very nice collection of costumes and Bigouden head-dresses)), castle from the 14th and 18th centuries. The "wedding" room decorated with Mathurin Méheut pieces of art (Sainte-Marine port), Henri Sollier and Jacques Godin.

★ The''Notre-Dame des Carmes's church', old church from the 16th century (1383-1420). With a gothic style, it has many old statues and a very nice rose window over the high altar considered to be the loveliest of Bretagne.

★ The''Lambour' church'(13th-16th century) the roof had been removed in 1675 under Louis XIV's reign in reprisal of the "Bonnets Rouges" revolution.

★ The 'Monument aux Bigoudens', master piece in granit stone by François Bazin (1931), shows a group of five Bigoudènes in traditional costume from the begenning of XXth century (four women and a child) all of them thinking of their sons, father, husband or grand child, fighting on the high sea against the storm.

★ The 'Manoir de Kernuz', restaured around 1850 by the historian of Brittany, Armand du Chatellier.

Places to visit

★ Here is a good walk you can do, along the River of Pont-l'Abbe while the tide is high. It's called the "chemin du halage" where local used to walk and do their jogging.

★ Each Thursdays, there is the big market, "le marché du jeudi" very crowed on summer time, you'll find very tasted food like good french cheese, french "charcuterie", fruits (strawberry from Plougastel), Brittany food specialities, Kwing Aman, crepes, and alcool like cider, chouchen and lambig. Plus other's stuff to buy or eat.

★ If you want to bring a souvenir from Brittany, a gift for your friend or even for the locals who take care of you at their guest place, you have to go to the Sophie.C's shop. Very nice place were you can meet one of the most famous artist in Brittany ( rewarded many times for her work and skills). Sophie draws her inspiration from the traditional embroidery patterns of her hometown, and put it more actual. In her shop you can find faience pottery, tablecloths, towels, aprons, glassware, greeting cards and many nice other things to bring back home.

Twin towns

★ Betanzos, Spain

★ Schleiden, Germany