IN THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY. (Mur de Bretagne)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Mur de Bretagne
Date:	23/07/06 (1636 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy access to so many attractions.

Disadvantages: Not publicised enough.

Situated centrally between Loudeac, Rostrenen and Pontivy, Mur de Bretagne, (or “Wall of Brittany), is one of those places that doesn't get the publicity it merits. Why ? There are so many resort towns on the map in this part of the world that people somehow get side-tracked, end up in expensive accommodation that promises the world, but that are not nearly as well situated as this little village is, nor offer the same accessibility to places that suit all the family.

Mur is a proud little town with a Marie that sits up on a hill, amidst a splendid garden, the buildings being typical French architecture from the 18th Century, and you may even miss the centre of this little haven should you not take turns from the main road to discover what the place has to offer. In the main square, for example, there are restaurants that cater for all price tags and tastes, and the square in the centre is used once a week for an evening market, which is the best in the area. What I love about the evening market is its' ambiance, friendliness, and the fact that they made it more than just colourful stands. On every Friday during the months of July and August, there is music and dancing and a celebration of people getting together to enjoy an evening of relaxed and calm entertainment. The stalls are artisinal and offer local goods, as well as some innovative woodwork and superb gifts. They have even catered for the older people by having many shaded areas where they can sit and enjoy their evening, whilst also thinking of kids, who are encouraged to abseil the church tower, stood in the centre of the town like a huge reminder that this village has a heart.

What I also like about Mur is that there is such a good choice of accommodation. From overnight stops in Bed and Breakfast at Ten Pounds per person per night, to expensive hotel accommodation at twenty five Pounds a night. There are also local camp sites for those families on a budget, and just outside Mur itself is a lake area where people can relax. The tourist office off the central square is open every day and can give information on what is available and unless you choose a week like the one where the Tour de France is passing, chances are that on the spot accommodation will be available and welcoming.

So why Mur ?

It's a quiet, peaceful town, but what it has going for it is that calm, offering the tourist many things to do during the day within easy access, and I mean everyone. There are riding stables, and here children can be left with qualified instructors to do an afternoon trek, leaving parents with the afternoon free to do what they want to do. The stables and clean, the animals well cared for, and the children are encouraged to care for the animal that they have been riding, as grooming is part and parcel of the experience.

For those that want more, there is the lake area, on the Gouarec road from Mur within ten minutes drive, and here there are a variety of locations. Cycling, walking, and even beach play are encouraged by the layout of the area. The lake has areas that are children friendly and tideless, with beautiful sandy beaches, but it also has areas that are for exploring and walking, and the cycle paths along the Nantes Brest Canal easily accessible from Mur, and parking of the car simple. Hire of bikes is really cheap and you get to see a part of France that you would never see from the road, down cycle paths through forest or alongside the canal under the shade of the trees.

From Beau Rivage (a ten minute ride from Mur), one can take a trip around the lake, and here there is sufficient choice of either just a boat trip or an evening cruise with a meal, although I find the meals expensive on the boat, and would opt for a meal in the restaurants that all overlook the lake. Extensive work has been done to improve Beau Rivage, and it now offers a wonderful opportunity to walk around the lake, with well laid out footpaths and plenty of shade. For the young at heart, there are boating activities, mini golf, etc., and the place always seems humming with activity, and is family friendly.

Anse de Sordan on the other hand, approached via the turn for Bon Repos, offers the tourist escape from hustle and bustle, and although it does have a beach, is less commercialised and a little more grown up, offering good restaurant facilities, and wooded walks.

Mur is also very well placed for a town trip to Pontivy to visit its' chateau, or to simply shop, to take in nightlife of discos, or restaurants, and what people should remember is that night life in France doesn't really start until 8 in the evening and that a meal out is an occasion. Waiters never hurry you, and restaurants serve good quality food for all tastes. In the other direction, there is a major town of Loudeac for those that want more action and indeed massive shopping areas.

New on the scene is a wonderful garden on the Loudeac road, which has been lovingly laid out and can be visited by the public.

Mur has much to offer as a holiday location, and I love the buffet dinners offered by pubs for as little as a tenner, because they really do serve good food. The shops within the central square are numerous, and attractive, and even on evenings when all is calm, the square is a pleasant way to soak in the evening sun and just relax.

I really do enthuse about this place because it has the potential to offer so much at an affordable price. The reason for enthusing about the place and wanting to get people to know about it is because it deserves it. So many local areas have more publicity, have more to spend on promotion of their holiday offerings, but in fact offer much less. Mur merits the publicity, and does have room for the tourists that may otherwise be tempted by fancy advertising to other less suitable areas.

For more information do not hesitate to contact the Tourist Office at the address below, or telephone asking politely “Vous parlez Anglais ?”. They do, and will help to make your holiday one that stands out in your memory, for all the right reasons.

Office de Tourisme
Côtes-d'Armor (22) - Bretagne
BP 16, 22530 MUR-DE-BRETAGNE
tél. 02 96 28 51 41
Fax : 02.96.26.35.31

Summary: A smashing place.