PRESS KIT First Resort in Cornouaille in South Finistère, in the Heart of the Breton Riviera, Bénodet Is the Perfect Place for All Holiday- Goers
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PRESS KIT First resort in Cornouaille in South Finistère, in the heart of the Breton Riviera, Bénodet is the perfect place for all holiday- goers. With its four sandy beaches, Bénodet combines the tonic of the ocean and the charming river banks of the Odet. In offering a full range of activities for the whole family: golf, sailing, horse riding, tennis, cinema etc., Bénodet has attracted tourists who come (back) each year and in bigger numbers With its bicycle and pedestrian paths, its boat trips, and its inter- nationally renowned marina, Bénodet is now the flagship tourist destination in Brittany. During the summer it offers holiday-goers many highlights with a plethora of entertainment and evening festivities. This little piece of paradise also has a thalassotherapy salon and a casino. Bénodet is also a unique setting for your seminars, conferences, or cocktails etc. SUMMARY Access 3 Heritage 4 Museum 6 Beach Side 7 Seaside 8 Leisure activities 11 Events 13 Business functions Let’s talk numbers 15 Accommodation 16 Contact 17 Acces Londres Paris Brest Bénodet Quimper Bénodet Lorient Madrid Rom BY CAR: BÉNODET to QUIMPER: 17 KM BÉNODET to PARIS: 560 KM Via highway and expressway BY TRAIN: QUIMPER TGV STATION PARIS MONTPARNASSE-QUIMPER 4hrs20min BY PLANE: CONNECTIONS FROM PARIS ORLY AIRPORT WITH AIR FRANCEE QUIMPER PLUGUFFAN AIRPORT: 17KM BREST GUIPAVAS: 85 KM www.quimper-aeroport.fr BY BOAT: PLYMOUTH (ENGLAND) to ROSCOFF ROSSLARE (IRELAND) to ROSCOFF BRITTANY FERRIES +33 825 828 828 www.brittany-ferries.com ROSSLARE to ROSCOFF IRISH FERRIES www.irishferries.com 3 HERITAGE Bénodet comes from «Benn Odet» or «Penn Odet» in Breton language, meaning the head or the mouth of the Odet river. Small fishing port, situated between ocean and river, Bénodet became a resort, popular for sailing and bathing in the sea, at the end of the nineteenth century. The construction of beautiful homes and hotels, the planting of rows of pine trees and the appearance of beach huts up until the 1930’s, marked the first steps of tourism here in Cornwall. RELIGIOUS HERITAGE Perguet Chapel : Located along the road between Bénodet and Fouesnant, and dedicated to Saint Brigid, this was Bénodet’s parish church until 1878. Its clearly visible Romanesque part was built in the 11th Century, and confers it an original style of architecture enjoyed by visitors. The statuary and altar have been restored, and feature diverse colours of great quality. Its stained glass windows, redesigned by Korean artist KIM N’JONG, add a contemporary touch to the building. St. Thomas Church : Situated on the harbour, this chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket was built in 1231. Later on, the chapel became a parish church and was dedicated to Our Lady of Benodet. It was extended in the nineteenth century according to plans by architect Bigot. The religious treasures of the parish group are on public display here. “Notre dame de la mer” church: Contemporary architecture church, built in 1968 on the Avenue de la mer. TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : 02 98 57 00 14 [email protected] 4 heritage MARITIME HERITAGE : The Pyramid Lighthouse : Its name comes from an ancient pyramidal beacon which served as a seamark for sailors. From the top of the beacon which overlooks the estuary, the view extends from the Bay of Concarneau to the Glénan archipelago. The Coq Lighthouse: It takes its name from a rock which stood until the late 1960s. In one respect, it represented the profile of a rooster. The Coq fortress: Built in 1862 under the reign of Napoleon III, this granite fortress was to prevent hostile ships entering the river. LITERATURE HISTORY : «Benodet, I love you tonight where the tide rises ...» Apollinaire in 1917 was bewitched by his stay, as was Emile Zola in 1883 or Marcel Proust who spoke about Bénodet in his work «From Swann’s Way.» ARTISTIC HISTORY : The artistic look renews the magic of the resort. From Alfred Beau to Pierre de Bellay, through to Winston Churchill (painting was his second passion), many artists have fallen under the spell of Bénodet and have come to paint its landscapes and churches. You can also discover some paintings by Pierre de Bellay at the Ker Moor Hotel. TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : : 02 98 57 00 14 L [email protected] 5 MUSEUM Discover Bénodet in the early twentieth century: Birth of tourism, the beautiful marina and the art of living by the sea ... The Musée du Bord de Mer (“Seaside Museum”) offers a colourful palette of artists in a coastal atmosphere, and where the seaside way of life presides. At the entrance to the town, near the Maison Du Tourisme, the Musée du Bord de Mer will welcome you in a space of 500m². Faithful to the wishes of its legatee, Jean Boissel, the museum recounts the life of seaside baths and boating along the coast of the Odet. The permanent exhibition dedicated to the leisure activities of the coastline displays model ships, beach toys, photos, films and unusual objects, and ecountsr the history of regattas of large and small boats on our coasts. This way of life by the sea weaves the path for an original museum journey, inspired by the coast, and which invites the whole family to come and dream. Bénodet has always inspired artists, and the last few seasons have been brightened up by several temporary exhibitions. Each year, the Musée Du Bord de Mer showcases painters from here and there, on the picture rails in its sea-themed aisles. SEASIDE MUSEUM Open all year (Next to the Tourist Office) 7/7 except national holidays Avenue de la Mer Free entry 29950 Bénodet Tel. : +33 2.98.57.00.14 Fax : +33 2.98.57.23.00 [email protected] TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : 02 98 57 00 14 [email protected] 6 BEACH SIDE The joys of the Bénodet beach multiply by four. Whether you are with family, friends or lovers, there’s always a beach that matches your desires. Trez Beach : With 800 metres of fine sand, south facing, Bénodet’s main beach offers many enjoyable activities for the young and their parents: Mickey Club (3-14 years), sports coaching, plus sea-kayak, windsurfing, dinghie et catamaran hire. Coq Beach : Between river and ocean, the small beach near the Rooster beacon is naturally exposed to the sun in the late afternoon. Letty Beach : This naturally preserved lagoon offers an exceptional show at all times. Saint Gilles Point beach : Surrounded by rocks, it is a delight for children to collect shells here. TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : 02 98 57 00 14 [email protected] 7 SEASIDE The invigorating and tonic sea air of Bénodet has its benefits on the body and on the morale. The sea lovers will find their happiness at Bénodet. The Relais Thalasso PHELIPPEAU GROUP : A haven of peace by the ocean, the thalossotherapy incorporates the latest innovations and Qualicert label. The establishment offers various services whether or not as part of a cure: hot tub, hydromassage bath, application of marine mud, seaweed wrap, wrap frigitonique, affusion shower, beauty salon, sauna, and more, with a team of professional know-how who masters a technique of deep relaxation balneotherapy imported from the United States: Watsu and the Watermass, technique of «palpate-roll», particularly effective against fatty deposits. The new Suite Relais Thalasso spa suite is set up to welcome clients in pairs: this great innovation combines all treatments into a dedicated space. Forget the old way of going for spa treatments, waiting in corridors and staring at the clock – spa-goers can now enjoy a new experience. Management: Steve Roquand Contact Bénodet: +33 2 98 66 27 00 [email protected] www.thalasso-benodet.com Open all year round The port : Internationally renowned, the Bénodet marina is accessible in all weather, at all times and regardless of the tide and the type of boat. It offers 500 places on the pontoon, 250 places on the buoy and a full range of services ashore: captaincy, ship reparation, sail-loft etc. Add to this the House Boat that hosts services from the port and the Odet Yacht Club. Bénodet guarantees a warm welcome to boaters who keep their boat docked in the marina, but also to those who, attracted by the exceptional beauty of the site, are very likely to drop by Odet (164 visitor sites). Contact Bénodet : +33 2 98 57 05 78 [email protected] www.benodetport.fr TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : 02 98 57 00 14 [email protected] 8 SEASIDE Boat rental : To find out more about Bénodet’s islands and rivers, certain agencies offer boat rentals (with or without license) and provide adaptable itineraries for novices. LBC Charter - Cornouaille Nautic +33 2 98 57 00 87 +33 2 98 57 08 84 MARITIME TOURS : Seated in the comfortable lounges or settled on the upper deck, “Les Vedettes” of the Odet offer various tours on the Odet and Glénan archipelago. 4 different cruises to the Glénan islands : - Exploration with underwater vision to closely admire the remarkable archipelago flora and fauna by accessing the submerged area of Captain Nemo - Discover the archipelago combined with a free stop and commentated cruise - Evasion allowing a free stop on the Saint-Nicolas Island - And the kayak formula that will delight lovers of nature and authenticity TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE : 02 98 57 00 14 [email protected] 9 SEASIDE Odet River Cruises : The Odet deserves its title of “most beautiful river in France.” “Les Vedettes” offer several daily departures. Do not miss the Gourmet cruise, enough to awaken your taste buds! Contact : +33 2 98 57 00 58 [email protected] www.vedettes-odet.com Open from April to September (and during the off-season for group reservations) INDUSTRIAL VISITS : Francois Garrec’s Biscuit factory: The Garrec family, craftsmen for 4 generations, invites you to discover the secrets of making pancakes and cakes from Brittany.