From Lord of the Rings and the Call of the Sea by Travelqueen

Charming medieval churches and castles, enticing small markets and cafes, and the twisting streets of Pontivy make this lovely old town a great destination on your France itinerary. Here you’ll find beautiful works of architecture, like the famous Castle of Rohan, The Notre-Dame-de-Joie basilica, St. Gildas Chapel which is built into a rocky cliff, and the Venus of Quinpily (captured above in the Travel Photo of the Day.) RealTraveler Travelqueen meandered through Pontivy, visiting old churches, walking through gardens strewn with heather, and enjoying the backroads of this quiet, charismatic town. She writes:

“I specifically drove to the outskirts of Baud to see the statue of Venus of Quinipily. Thought to be a Roman leftover, it is a pagan statue that worships the planet AND the sacred woman/goddess (yes, yes, we are). Intermittently thrown into the river over the centuries, depending on how pious/Christian the local ruler was, it was eventually fished out by a local Duke, and placed in his own private garden. Carved out of a single granite stone, it stands 20 meters high, reining over a magnificent garden of blue, deep pink and burgundy hydrangeas, spikes of purple salvia and yellow coreopsis daisies. There is a lowland pond basin covered in heathery bushes, walled spaces and peaceful gravel pathways. The whole garden is built on a slope, with the water artfully draining into a huge stone bath at the feet of Venus.”(more…)

Learn more about great destinations in Brittany, including delightful attractions, places to stay, and things to do by visiting our Brittany Travel Guide.