THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MARKETS IN MORBIHAN
While on vacation in Morbihan, discover the local produce of Brittany by strolling through the morning markets. From the halles de Vannes to the grand marché d’Auray, the region’s most beautiful and largest markets attract even more exhibitors in summer. Hop on your bike and set off in search of fresh produce and local know-how early in the morning !
The 5 most beautiful markets
Every day of the week, several markets take place in the villages of Morbihan: from Lorient to Vannes, via the Bay of Quiberon, the Ria d’Étel and the Pays d’Auray, some are particularly famous.
Carnac market
An essential part of your Morbihan vacation, the Carnac market takes place twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, until around 2pm. Traders set up their stalls in the village, in the Saint-Fiacre parking lot near the church and in the surrounding streets. You’ll find a wide range of local products, including seafood, fish and cookies, as well as ready-to-wear, accessories and home decoration. Up to 250 exhibitors can be found in the narrow streets of the small town: the ideal place to sample Breton specialities or to stock up on delicacies before heading home.
Vannes market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, the Vannes market takes place in the historic heart of the medieval city, at the foot of the 14th-century timber-framed houses. Local produce from land and sea is available all year round. In and around Place des Lices, these markets are an extension of the tempting range already on offer at the Halles Vannetaises: the Halles des Lices has around thirty permanent traders, and the Halles aux Poissons more than twenty. Considered one of the finest in France, the Vannes market is a meeting place for flavors. A real entertainer in his own right!
Auray market
The Auray market is also one of the biggest in Morbihan, and indeed in Brittany. Located in the heart of the town, it attracts around 200 exhibitors in low season and up to 400 in summer. The big Monday market is the place to be for gourmets and tourists alike. From June to September, it continues until 2pm. Stalls selling traditional or typically local foods rub shoulders with stalls selling Indian braids, accessories, clothing or sweets. With food-trucks, lively café terraces and street musicians.
Lorient market
Lorient’s fresh produce market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings around the Halles de Merville. The perfect opportunity to stock up on quality products. Inside the central halls, seafood products take center stage. Around the fishmongers and oyster farmers are the permanent stalls of market gardeners, caterers, chocolatiers, grocers and pork butchers. Homemade is de rigueur! On market days, the offer is enriched by numerous open-air exhibitors: flowers, fruit and vegetables, but also bulk products and Breton pastries.
Ploemeur market
Close to Lorient, the town of Ploemeur is also famous for its markets, held 3 days a week. The biggest market takes place on Sunday mornings in and around the town center, Place Falquérho. In addition to fresh produce, you’ll be able to shop for shoes, accessories and clothing. The perfect place to stroll and treat yourself!
Reasons to visit the market during your stay in Morbihan
The market brings together local producers. In summer, the markets are particularly lively, lasting well into the afternoon. The perfect opportunity for a family outing in the great outdoors! You can go there to buy a particular product, to do your shopping for the day, or simply to stroll around, enjoying the colors and scents that emanate from the stalls and mingle: iodine, spices, warm bread, roast meats, flowers, summer fruits…
What to buy on these markets
The weekly market is the ideal place to buy genuine local and seasonal produce, far from the tourist traps. If you’d like to try a real kouign amann, bring back some salted butter caramel from your vacation, or enjoy a bottle of farmhouse cider, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Breton producers and their homemade products. Organic food is also available, especially from market gardeners. Morbihan’s big markets bring together a multitude of exhibitors, so you can also plan a morning’s shopping among the stalls of clothes, household linen and accessories of all kinds.
Getting to markets from the campsite
From the Saint-Laurent campsite, Carnac’s central market and Auray’s central market can be reached in 35 minutes by bike and 15 minutes by car. The nearest parking lot to the Vannes market is just 30 minutes away, and the halles de Lorient are 35 minutes away. To get to the Ploemeur market at Place de l’Église, take the N165 for about 35 minutes.
Other beautiful markets await you in the surrounding area, including Damgan,Erdeven, Port Louis, Saint-Pierre-de-Quiberon, La Trinité-sur-mer and even Belle-Île-en-Mer.
