Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Lorient, France

Located in Morbihan on the southern coast of Brittany, Lorient is a maritime city characterized by its five ports, boasting the second-largest fishing harbor in France and an intriguing former naval base. Activities in Lorient inherently revolve around the ocean, ranging from tours of a formidable Nazi submarine base to experiencing the cutting-edge realm of yacht racing at the Cité de la Voile.

The term “Lorient” has historical ties to the French East India Company, which operated from the port until the 1870s. The company’s headquarters were housed in the elegant Hôtel Gabriel, where a dedicated museum can be found in Port-Louis, a short ferry ride from Lorient’s port.

Let us delve into the notable attractions in Lorient:

1. Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly

This unique institution is the only museum in Europe entirely focused on sailing, offering an engaging and family-friendly experience that celebrates the sport.

Each year features a prominent main exhibition that highlights contemporary long-distance racing and navigation.

In order to captivate younger audiences, the museum includes extensive multimedia resources, rigging games, radio-controlled sailboats, and even a ten-seater simulator that transports visitors to the high seas aboard a racing vessel.

The museum honors Éric Tabarly, a celebrated sailor who achieved numerous prestigious races in the 1960s and 1970s with his cutter, Pen Duick. This iconic vessel is also showcased at the museum.

2. Keroman Submarine Base

Although much of Lorient was destroyed during the Allied bombing campaigns of World War II, this monumental Nazi submarine base remained relatively intact and was not conquered until the conclusion of the conflict.

The facility was subsequently repurposed by the French Navy before being transformed into an attraction for visitors by the city.

During a two-hour guided tour, visitors will receive informed insights into K3, the largest of the blocks, which measures 170 meters in length and 20 meters in height. The guide will lead participants through the individual pens, explaining the facility’s construction and recounting the history of U-Boats in Lorient.

3. Tour de la Découverte

Perched on Le Faouëdic hill within the port enclosure, this granite watchtower, standing 40 meters tall, was constructed in 1786 to replace an earlier, smaller structure.

Although it resembles a lighthouse, it was never intended for that purpose; rather, the tower was designed to oversee port activities and monitor for smuggling.

Later, it served as a semaphore to communicate with other maritime stations around the bay.

Visitors can ascend 216 steps to the top, where they will be rewarded with spectacular views of the port.

4. Espace Découverte du Sous-Marin Flore

Situated at Lorient’s submarine base, Le Flore is a Daphné-class submarine that was launched in 1960 and remained active until 1989. In 2010, the submarine was placed in dry dock within the base’s concrete caverns and opened to the public as a museum vessel.

A visit to this attraction offers an insightful exploration of the confined yet intriguing interiors of a Cold War-era submarine, with an audio guide providing details about torpedo tubes, living accommodations, and propulsion systems.

Additionally, a separate museum building provides context regarding Lorient’s formative years and its development as a port, as well as insights into the infrastructure when this site operated as a military installation.

5. Musée de la Compagnie des Indes

Ferries regularly transport visitors across the bay from Lorient to Port-Louis.

This excursion is essential for a deeper understanding of Lorient’s historical foundations.

Inside the 17th-century Vauban fort lies the Compagnie des Indes Museum, which chronicles the ascent of the French East India Company and the subsequent development of Lorient.

The museum features both permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing model ships, antique maps, printed documents, textiles, porcelain, and artworks related to East Asia.

Additionally, this complex houses a section dedicated to the French Navy.

6. Hôtel Gabriel

While in Lorient, it’s advisable to check for events at the Hôtel Gabriel, which frequently hosts workshops and exhibitions.

This 18th-century neoclassical building, located within the port enclosure, originally served as the sales rooms for the French East India Company.

Although it was demolished during the war, it was meticulously reconstructed in the 1950s.

The Hôtel symbolizes the wealth generated through silk and spice trade conducted by the company.

The first floor houses the city archives, while the ground floor galleries host temporary exhibitions.

A charming parterre in the courtyard often serves as a venue for Breton cultural events, such as the national competition for bagpipe bands and the Festival Interceltique, which will be discussed later.

7. Keroman Port

For many visitors, the true charm of Lorient lies in experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of an active port city.

The Keroman Fishing Port is particularly noteworthy, being the second most productive in France in terms of fish tonnage captured, just after Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Early birds can witness the frenetic activity occurring in the 600-meter-long auction hall, where transactions occur through a traditional process that may perplex outsiders.

Subsequently, fish are stored in ice produced by a factory that generates 200 tons daily and loaded onto trucks, illustrating the impressive scale of operations.

8. FC Lorient

The city takes pride in its football team, FC Lorient, which has managed to maintain its position in the top tier of French football against formidable challenges over the years.

During this time, the club has developed several future international players for France, including Laurent Koscielny and Kévin Gameiro.

Home games are held at the 16,000-seat Stade du Moustoir, positioned just north of the city hall.

On match days, excitement is palpable, particularly in the Tribune Sud stand, home to the passionate Merlus Ultras supporters group.

The most electrifying atmosphere occurs during the Breton Derby against rivals Stade Rennais, an event that takes place once a season.

9. Notre-Dame-de-Victoire Church

In the post-war era, Lorient embraced modern architecture in its reconstruction.

While this style may lack the allure found in more historic cities, there are several notable monuments worth visiting.

The most prominent is this church, constructed of reinforced concrete in the mid-1950s.

The interior features a rotunda illuminated from above by small black and yellow windows, casting captivating beams of light.

Throughout Lorient, visitors can also discover charming art deco structures designed in the 1930s by Italian architects who fled the regime of Mussolini.

10. Groix Island

The region’s second-largest island is accessible via ferry from Lorient, and it is advisable to consider overnight accommodations to fully appreciate this unspoiled destination.

A scenic walking trail follows the island’s coastline, leading visitors past quaint beaches with fine white sand and imposing rock formations, such as the thunderous cliffs at Trou de Tonnerre.

The principal village of the island, located above the port, comes alive on Tuesdays and Saturdays when its market operates.

The port was once a significant hub for tuna fishing in France, and a museum provides insights into this era and the Bronze Age megaliths scattered throughout the island.

11. Ferry Trips

The sea plays an integral role in life in Lorient, evident by the interchangeability of tickets for Batobus water shuttles and local bus passes.

Visitors would be remiss not to board and explore the locations their sense of adventure leads them to.

As mentioned earlier, Port-Louis offers a complimentary walking tour with 21 stops highlighting its most significant attractions.

Batobus also operates to Gâvres, which lies on the headland opposite Port-Louis.

This area was historically another important deep-sea fishing port, with a notable feature being the extensive dune system linking the town to the mainland.

Additionally, Riantec should not be overlooked, given its refreshing coastal landscapes enhanced by charming wooded islets.

Explorers can disembark to locate a Roman road and various Neolithic dolmens.

12. Scorff Valley

Lorient is situated at the confluence of the Scorff and Blavet rivers, just before the Blavet reaches the ocean.

For those seeking to experience Morbihan in its most untamed and secluded form, the Scorff River provides an excellent backdrop for several days of hiking or canoeing adventures.

There are over 400 kilometers of trails to navigate along the densely wooded banks of the river.

Moreover, you will be in proximity to more than 40 captivating historic sites, including the Celtic Iron Age village of Kerven Teignouse.

13. Blavet Valley

The picturesque Blavet Valley, extending north from Lorient, showcases its own distinctive beauty in contrast to the Scorff.

Just upstream in Hennebont lies a branch of the Haras Nationaux, the national stud farm responsible for breeding Brittany’s native horse breeds.

On a typical visit, guests can take guided tours of the stables and explore the horse museum, in addition to special events that occur throughout the year, including during Christmas.

In Melrand, families can take younger children to a reconstructed medieval village that reflects life during the year 1000 AD, featuring kitchen gardens and rare animal breeds.

14. Festival Interceltique

Every August, the streets, port, Moustoir Stadium, and Hôtel Gabriel become vibrant with Lorient’s celebration of its Celtic heritage.

For the first two weeks of the month, approximately 700,000 visitors flock to Lorient for an event that encompasses the diverse Celtic nations, ranging from Galicia in Spain to Scotland.

Music and dance are at the heart of the festival, with around 200 performances scheduled and thousands of artists participating.

The festival prominently features traditional instruments, including the bombard, a double-reed pipe, and the bagpipes, which are emblematic of Brittany.

15. Zoo de Pont-Scorff

For younger guests, a large zoo featuring many favorite animals is located less than ten kilometers from Lorient.

The zoo houses various big cats, including cheetahs, lions, tigers, and panthers, as well as herbivorous species such as Asian elephants, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, and giraffes.

In total, there are over 600 animals, with many residing in innovative environments, such as the macaws that fly freely above visitors’ heads.

The zoo also participates in conservation efforts, with 20 species, including the spectacled bear and Geoffrey’s Cat, partaking in breeding programs.