Menu
From the end of the 19th century, the “City of Painters” was the favorite of the young American painter Henry Bacon, who discovered this village by chance when stopping on the stagecoach that was taking him to Concarneau. Under the spell, he told his friends: “it is the prettiest village in France that I had seen so far, with its strange bridge over a fast river, which turns several water wheels. picturesque and goes towards the sea, at a short distance “.
Then twenty years later, Paul Gauguin, who had come to move away from Paris, drew new inspiration there and became the leader of the Pont Aven school.
Even today, walk along the Aven in the footsteps of these painters, you will find art galleries, but also designer shops.
Find on the map below the essential of Pont-Aven:
To discover the history of the “school of Pont Aven” and its painters, go to the museum of Pont Aven, which was renovated in 2018. It will appeal to all ages and will allow you to travel in the world of painters and other artists of Pont-Aven. Count 1h30 of visit. Free for under 18s.
The Bois d’Amour is ideal for a quiet stroll, far from the stores in the center of Pont Aven. Along the Aven, in the heart of the forest, you will find the magical atmosphere of the Breton forests, and look for traces of old mills that line the Aven . The tourist office offers a 45 min circuit easily accessible to taste the beauty of the place. Hikers will find on the site Visiorando an easy circuit of about 10km.
Accessible on foot via the “Bois d’Amour path”, this private chapel belongs to the Villemarqué de Cornouaille family, which maintains and restores this magnificent site. It contains several treasures, the most famous of which is the yellow Christ which inspired the famous painting by Paul Gauguin. Now housed at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, , it is a major work of symbolism.
You will find an exhibition made up of a dozen panels retracing the art and life of the painter.
If you are not very athletic or accompanied by young children, you can also get there by car. When you leave the chapel, you can take a few steps in the beech alley to enjoy the surrounding nature.
The chapel is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to June and
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from July to September.
It’s impossible to go to Pont Aven without strolling along its charming marina, perfect for a little digestive walk after the meal! And if you want to take an original little excursion The stars of Aven Belon offer you a 1h15 cruise from Pont Aven to the sea, ideal for families. This commented cruise will allow you to discover the incredible maritime past of this river while admiring the landscape and the changing lights over the water.
Named after a Breton poet, the walk Xavier Grall, is a small walk of 10-15min which invites you to stroll along the water and allows you to admire beautiful views of the Aven. It is a place accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, ideal for taking beautiful photos.
To discover a village from the point of view of its inhabitants, there is nothing better than to call upon the services of a passionate guide, who will make you discover what most visitors ignore: The guided tour of Pont Aven (10 to 15€/ pers depending on the schedule)
The Aven Parc is a must for children in the region. You will find an educational farm there, but also many games (trampoline, hanging nets, wooden games, slides, etc.) and a labyrinth with shows and actors for family fun. Thematic events are scheduled throughout the year and renewed each year.
– Free parking without time limit: Bel Air car park, Quai Brizeux, Pontic Malo car park, Belle Angèle car park
– Free parking but for a limited time in the heart of the city. The parking disc is compulsory.
You can download the parking plan on the Pont Aven Tourist Office website.
Only 15 minutes away by car, don’t miss the beach of Port Manech and the cove of Rospico in Nevez. A superb ballad awaits you there.
A little further west, 20 minutes away, you can visit the walled city of Concarneau and stroll through its shopping streets.
Community tourism office: https://www.deconcarneauapontaven.com/
4* campsite with direct access to the beach between Fouesnant and Concarneau.
