In Vannes, it is difficult to undertake any excavation work without coming across vestiges of the city's rich past. This heritage can be seen at almost every street corner. The BEST WESTERN PLUS Vannes centre-ville hotel has put together a small selection of the must-see sites in Vannes to make your stay unforgettable and rich in emotion.
Let's start with a little history... Succeeding the monarchists as mayor in 1878, the republican Emile Burgault wanted to erect a monument to the glory of the republic. It was two years after his investiture that the project took shape. From 1880 to 1886, the imposing building, a small-scale copy of the Paris town hall, drained the commune's finances. This controversy would have favoured the return to power of the monarchists in 1888.
Built in 1817 and 1821, the washhouses of La Garenne are located at the foot of the town's ramparts, which we will discuss in a later section. These washhouses, built on the river Marle, are located on one of the most photographed sites in Vannes.
This monument of the city was built between 1620 and 1624. Since 1891, the gate has housed a statue of Saint-Vincent-Ferrier, patron saint of the city of Vannes. This priest of the Dominican order remained famous for his public preaching. His relics are venerated in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Vannes.
On the corner of two streets in the city of Vannes is the mysterious sign of "Vannes and his wife" which seems to peer out at passers-by from a late 15th century house that belonged to Gilles de Bretagne. This granite sculpture reflects the ease and conviviality of the owners. Almost 500 years later, the mystery of its meaning remains intact.
On a clear day, this idyllic spot will transport you to another era. The rampart gardens offer a green panorama where the river Marle flows. It seems a long time ago that this area was occupied by the washerwomen (women who washed clothes by hand) who used it as a vegetable garden.
Two styles, two periods. In the foreground, the city walls surrounding the old town were built between 1364 and 1450. The city is now home to the parliament of an independent Brittany. Built in 1914 on the model of the Paris Spring, the building is supposed to symbolise elegance in the heart of the city.
