franceDigitale

A nice walk in Pont-Aven

Pont-Aven, famous for its school of painting, is a beautiful little town located in Brittany

In its early days, Pont-Aven was a modest village whose main activity was grain milling using water mills along the Aven River. The port, located too far from the sea, never experienced significant activity and was only usable during certain hours of the tide. What dramatically changed the fate of this small village was the arrival of Parisian painters (such as Paul Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Paul-Émile Colin, Paul Sérusier) in the 1860s, drawn by the low cost of living and the beauty of the landscapes. They immortalized nature through their paintings, turning Pont-Aven into a globally recognized destination. Today, Pont-Aven primarily relies on tourism for its income while still retaining its old-world charm. It's definitely a place worth visiting!

Interest: good (2 users)
Difficulty:
Duration: 3 h.
Practical information

The port

The harbor, which has long been used for trade with the surrounding towns, is now only used by boaters.
9

Xavier Grall Promenade

The route follows the Xavier Grall walk (Breton journalist and writer) which winds along the Aven. There are of course restaurants that have set up along the river to take advantage of the magnificent landscape. Not to be missed.
38

Granite blocks

Huge granite blocks that serve as playgrounds for children slow down the course of the Aven. The Aven is a 37 kilometer long river that flows into the ocean.
7

The art galleries

There are many art galleries in the center of Pont-Aven.
4

Bois d'Amour

For the second part of the walk, follow the signs indicating "Bois d'Amour". You will pass by the "Moulin Neuf" a mill which is no longer in activity today. At this place the river is very calm and suitable for bathing, Gauguin was inspired by it to realize a painting "Bathing in the Bois d'Amour".
5

Along the Aven river

The walkway still runs along the Aven River but now passes through a wooded area.
4

The top of the Bois d'Amour

You return to the center of Pont-Aven by following a shaded path in the Bois d'Amour.
4

The downtown area

The city of Pont-Aven is also famous for its galettes, this activity was able to develop thanks to the presence of many mills that provided flour. There are still some stores in the city center that perpetuate this tradition. The Gloanec guesthouse in the center of the square welcomed the greatest painters of the Pont-Aven school.
4

A mill

14 mills were built in Pont-Aven. A famous saying even said: "Pont-Aven, 14 mills, 15 houses".
9

Bathing at the Bois d'Amour Mill by Gauguin

The reputation of the city owes much to Paul Gauguin, the painter came to spend the summer in Pont-Aven then left for Paris for the winter.
3

Other walks

At 26.03 Km

Walk along the ocean in Bénodet

At 30.77 Km

Walk in Quimper

At 51.09 Km

Discovery of the city of Douarnenez

At 56.9 Km

Discovery of the isthmus of Penthièvre
}