
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 o
n 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.