One picture is worth a thousand words

So what do 600 absolutely awe-inspiring photos say?

Everything!!

Each year, La Gacilly, in the department of Morbihan, hosts the largest outdoor photo festival in France from June to September.  Each year there is a guest country and homage to an environmental issue.  This year’s subjects are Japanese photography and the Oceans.

And if you haven’t seen the 2016 Photo Festival yet, go NOW – before it finishes in September!

It’s Free, it’s amazing and it will make you change the way you see the world.

There were some truly beautiful photographs.

The Japanese exhibitions showed a fascinating insight into Japanese living.  So much so it has inspired me to explore this country in the future.

Most haunting were the exhibitions on the damage being done to both the Oceans, the people who work on them and the plight of the refugees.

Visit the tourist office first to pick up a 1€ map of the Festival.  You don’t need to do this, but you may miss many of the displays if you don’t.

Also included in this is a glossy magazine of some of the spectacular photos of the exhibitions – well worth to have as a momento.

Even if you don’t buy this, pick up the free Cité de Métiers d’Art brochure which shows you all the artisan workshops and restaurants , which you can explore on your wanderings.

Whilst there are numerous parking areas, these could get filled up quickly – especially on the weekends when the main routes into the town are blocked off.

Keep to the ring road and try if you can to get parking on the D777 close to the bridge and the Tourist Office.

As mentioned, we do recommend you pick up the 1€ map from the Tourist Office.

Most of the photos are around the Tourist Office and along both banks of the river but they stretch into the town and there is an excellent project done by various schools in Morbihan on the subject of the oceans at the top of the town near the covered market and the church.

All the photos are explained in both French and English.

If you wish, you can book an English tour of 1h15min duration at the Tourist Office.

These start every day at 11h and 15h.  The tours cost 7€ per adult and 5€ per child (under 12s free).

You can take picnic and find a lovely spot along the river to eat.

Alternatively, it may be wisest to book a restaurant – especially if you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday.  There are a good range of restaurants listed on the tourist office website.

We ate at the Yves Rocher Le Vegetarium Café, which has an excellent location by the river and close to everything, with both exceptional food and excellent service. And no, it is not a vegetarian restaurant even if it is called “Le Vegetarium”.

• La Gacilly is home to Yves Rocher, founder of the world renown cosmetics company dedicated to bio vegetable based beauty products.  Free 1h15min guided visits in French can be taken of the tranquil  botanical gardens (La Croix des Archers 02 99 08 35 84) but there are signs in English if you want to explore freely.
• The Yves Rocher shop and institute at La Bout du Pont is a treasure trove of beauty products – great for gift ideas if not a treat for yourself.  Various make-up and beauty sessions available – can be booked online.
• At Yves Rocher’s Eco-Hotel Spa “La Gree des Landes” you can treat your self to a day or a half day spa treatment including a meal at the gastronomic bio restaurant, a treatment, sauna and acess to the pool. From 80€ per person. Or just head straight to the gourmet restaurant!!
• Visit one of the fascinating artisan workshops through the town – there is something for everyone.