Rochefort-en-Terre is a beautiful, little  town in the Morbihan department of Brittany close to Malestroit, Josselin and Ploërmel. A day out driving down from the Channel coast takes you through the Broceliande and the Parc de Préhistoire de Bretagne at Malansac which is another beautiful town which neighbours Rochefort-en-Terre.  Read more about the Parc further on in this article.

So many, many, half timbered and classically French houses, some covered in wisteria and others displaying summer flowers are a part of this stunningly beautiful town.  The centre  is full of little alleys, steps and a  cobbled walk way up to the Chateau which dominates the little town and the gorge on which it is situated. 

Walk from Atelier to Atelier and enjoy the variety of crafts, just some of which include  a shop which specialises in bellows, art shops, and a glass blower. Visit the  soap shop, a hand-decorated china shop,  and bag maker.

There is the lovely Candle Shop run by Marie where some original and beautiful candles are sold.  Some are replicas of tree people and others are covered with artificial pearls.  A candle lovers dream!

The whole town is illuminated at night from June of each year and it is famous for its floral displays. In 1911 the then owner of the chateau, Alfred Klots, encouraged the town to display geraniums everywhere possible and in particular on the houses and he introduced a competition for the best display two years later.  The town is judged to be one of the best floral towns in France.

The many Rochefort en Terre festivals include the Street Festival of les Loustiks de l'Akoustik whch takes place in  August as does the Pardon de Notre Dame de la Tronchaye.  In May there is the Festival of the 1920's.

The nearby Broceliande Forest is the mystical heart of Brittany and some of the Broceliande magic seems apparent in beautiful Rochefort-en-Terre. 

The Parc de Préhistoire de Bretagne at Malansac is very closely situated so a day out can include visiting the Parc to amuse the children and then Rochefort-en-Terre.  The Parc is a visual illustration of the period of the dinosaurs and then the evolution of man.

 Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the parc which is an area where there is natural slate.  Perhaps it is the slate that gives the wonderful, deep blue colour to the lakes set deep down in the rocky terrain. 

The parc is picturesque but has enough scary, huge dinosaurs to delight the children.  The whole visit is very educational.