A SMALL French town has been compared to the village of St Ives, being in a region dubbed the ‘Cornwall of France’.
Pont-Aven in northwestern France is found in Cornouaille, in Brittany.
Pont-Aven is located in Cornouaille – an area where towns and villages wouldn’t look out of place in the English countryside[/caption]
The French town of Pont-Aven (pictured) has been compared to St Ives thanks to its stone buildings and winding river[/caption]
Both Cornouaille and Cornwall take their names from a Celtic tribe called the Cornovii, who lived in the southwestern tip of the UK before migrating to Brittany.
Both areas have a strong maritime history and towns and villages filled with quaint harbours and fishing boats – and Pont-Aven is no exception.
The French town is home to narrow, winding, streets and traditional quaint stone cottages that wouldn’t go amiss in the English countryside.
It is perhaps best known for its ties to famous American artists such as Henry Bacon and Paul Gauguin, who visited Pont-Aven in the late 19th century.
There are several other art galleries in the town, including Galerie Izart and Galerie Kle – Lalou Kraffe.
In an article in the Spectator, author Sean Thomas compared Pont-Aven to St Ives.
He wrote: “Pont-Aven, which, if it has a Cornish equivalent, is surely St Ives – because Pont-Aven is delicate, pretty, arty, stone-built, with burbling and twining rivers rushing past sweetly renovated watermills-cum-art galleries.
“The town is also full of quaint, handsome villas, built for rich Parisians in the 19th century.
“It is likewise replete with artistic history – you can visit the room where Paul Gauguin painted famous still lifes and portraits (and see the mantel in the room in the paintings).”
Holidaymakers are also encouraged to walk along the Aven River where the water flows over a wooden wheel or two, harking back to the town’s former watermills.
Other activities include boat rides along the Aven River and weekend markets selling local produce and handmade crafts.
And because of the rolling hills and forest landscapes in Pont-Aven, hiking and cycling excursions are a must for holidaymakers.
Accommodation options in the French town are highly affordable, with rooms from £25 per person per night.
Brest is the nearest airport to Pont-Aven, with journeys taking 70 minutes in the car.
Volotea operate direct flights from London Gatwick to Brest, with return fares from £54 per person.
And low-cost carrier easyJet is also launching flights to Brest from London Gatwick Airport, with services set to launch in June.
Everything you need to know about visiting France
- Brits need to have a passport with at least three months left on it.
- No visas are needed for anyone staying up to 90 days within an 180-day period but you need to make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- You may also need to show proof of accommodation and funds, around €120 a day.
- The country uses the euro with with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- France is one hour ahead of the UK
- Direct flights to France from the UK take between 1-4 hours depending on the destination
- Or you can travel by train with Eurostar, with destinations including Paris or Lille.
- Direct ferry services also operate between the UK and France, with some journeys taking 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, a tiny car-free French village that’s home to medieval houses has been named one of the most beautiful in the country.
There is also a little-known French island with 60 beaches, a Mediterranean-style climate & turquoise waters that’s just a short hop from the UK.
Just like Pont-Aven, St Ives (pictured) is home to quaint cottages[/caption]
Pont-Aven is perhaps most well-known for its ties to painters like Henry Bacon[/caption]
The French town is a 70-minute drive from Brest, the closest airport[/caption]
