A short drive from Pempoull Daniel Gîtes takes
you to our nearest town of Rostrenen...
The old market town of Rostrenen is located 20 km east of Carhaix-Plouguer, 60 km of Saint-Brieuc and Lorient, and 130 km of Brest and Rennes.
Local amenities include banks, supermarkets, boulangeries, a post office, chemists and an English speaking Doctor (Dr Rault) . The tourist office offers information on the area, local places of interest and events.
In the centre of town, the Square is surrounded by plenty of venues to eat and drink, including the Coeur de Breizh which offers traditional Breton cuisine, the Henry IV and two pizzerias.
Situated in Upper Cornouaille (Central western Brittany), Rostrenen to the south of the département holds the pardon of Notre Dame de Rostrenen which dates back to the 14th century and takes place in the middle of August. A statue of the Virgin is carried by torchlight to the Montagne du Miniou.
Today, with 4,000 inhabitants, it has preserved a rustic charm, shying from modern development. Economic growth for Rostrenen has lost out to the neighbouring town of Carhaix over recent years. For many people, this adds to the allure of the town retaining a sense of tranquillity in the midst of a busy world.
Rostrenen is the birth place of the painter Olivier Perrin (1761-1832). Completing studies in Rennes and Paris, Perrin returned to Brittany, teaching painting in Quimper. He worked for several Breton churches, his most famous work being the Breton Gallery, a series of drawings depicting the life of a Breton farmer from birth to death. In 1820, he offered his painting "The Blessed Virgin's Assumption" to the church of his birth city.
Rostrenen was an important administrative centre during the middle ages, being the seat of the Baron of Rostrenen. The principal chateau was situated close to what is now the place de la Poste.
The most imposing building that has survived intact from that era is the Manoir de Campostal which dates back to the sixteenth century.
During the Revolution, the Manoir was used as a prison for priests who refused to accept the authority of the revolutionary government, and in its darkest days it was even used by a revolutionary tribunal. Today, the Manoir is a school.
Well known for its market which takes place every Tuesday. It attracts a wide variety of stalls including those selling organic breads, organic vegetables, cheeses, fresh fish, traditional Breton products, and plants.
Shops and supermarkets close on Sundays, banks close on Mondays, reopening on Tuesday until Saturday midday. The French 'lunch hour' is usually two hours long, with almost all shops and businesses closing between 12 noon and 2 pm.
Rostrenen is also known for it's Festival Dañs Fisal (a festival of Breton folk dancing and music), which is held in August complete with a fairground.
The Nantes Brest Canal has a wide well kept tow path ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, nature spotting, riding. With roads and lanes so quiet, cycling is very popular in and around Brittany.
Nearby, Lac du Guerledan (the largest lake in Brittany) offers water sports, including water-skiing, kayaking and wind surfing, as well as a small sandy beach and restaurants. There is another large swimming and sailing lake at Priziac.
During July and August, boat trips along the lake and to the l'Abbaye Bon Repos are available. Lac Plouray. The 'Bon Repos' festival is held nearby in August with theatre and music, culminating in a lavish fireworks display.
For more details on places of interest, days out and activities,
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