heritage For the ultra-curious

Heritage is not just a story of chapels, lighthouses and megaliths in Pays Bigouden. Culture and history buffs will be delighted to discover old military buildings, visitor trails, museums and other treasures.

Military remains

Pebble-crusher at Tréguennec:

The Prat-Ar-C’hastel site was opened during the Second World War for pebble extraction and crushing. To build the Atlantic Wall along the west coast of Europe, German forces took tonnes of pebbles from the Bigouden beaches. They were processed in this factory, which as long been abandoned.

Our military heritage also includes the bunkers strategically positioned along the coast in Audierne Bay.

Fort at Combrit Saint-Marine:

The fort was built under Napoleon III in 1862. Initially used to defend the Kingdom’s coastline, it was occupied by the German army during the Second World War.

Guardhouse at Combrit Sainte-Marine:

In the 1600s, in response to Louis XIV’s desire to make the coast impassable to the Kingdom’s enemies, military architect Vauban began building strongholds to defend the territory. Following the English landings, the decision was taken to reinforce this defensive network by creating coastal batteries and guard posts all along the coast.

The guardhouse at Sainte-Marine was built in the 1600s.

Pierre-Jakez Hélias' house

This typical house in the Bigouden region was the birthplace of the French author Pierre-Jakez Hélias .

Inside, you’ll discover a reconstruction of the living room from the early 1900s and a museum space devoted to the life and work of the author of Cheval d’orgueil.

Find out more

Espace Kerné

Espace Kerné retraces the history of cider and apples through a variety of themes. This educational and entertaining space is accessible to children and adults alike, with films and other interactive elements.

Allow around 45 minutes for your visit, so you can make the most of the area.

Discover Espace Kerné

Yeux d'Iroise

All along the Finistère coastline, artist Pierre Chanteau scattered his curious creations made from shards of glass and earthenware. There are around twenty of them in Pays Bigouden, stuck to the walls of dykes or seawalls, some easier to spot than others, and some are even covered by the water at high tide.

They symbolise maritime solidarity where each sailor watches over the others at sea.