Douarnenez - Douar-an-Enez

Douarnenez is in the Finistère (Breton: Penn-ar-Bed) department of Brittany and is an attractive old fishing town with many narrow streets. Douarnenez has a number of 16th and 17th-century churches, including the Church of Ploaré and the chapels of Sainte-Croix, Sainte-Hélène, and Saint-Michel. The Ile Tristan is linked via tidal causeway to the town. Tristan has evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. The written history of the island begins around 1118 when, according to a charter dated 1126, the Island of St Tutuarn was donated to the Abbey of Marmoutier. As a result, a priory was built on the island. Tristan is linked to the legend of Tristan and Iseult from the times of King Arthur. This is not the only story from Celtic folklore associated with the area. In the Celtic mythology of Brittany Ker Ys (Breton: Kêr-Is) was a City lost under the sea. Ys is believed to lie beneath Douarnenez Bay. Across the Port-Rhu channel is the former fishing port and resort of Tréboul. The resort is famous for its markets and narrow streets and lanes around the old section of Tréboul. 

Image: Coucher de soleil à Douarnenez (c.1883) by Pierre Auguste Renoir (25 February 1841 – 3 December 1919)

Links: Brittany Tourism  and Douarnenez Tourisme.

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