The town of La Roche Bernard is located at the most easterly point of southern Brittany on the border with the Loire Atlantique department.

The town was discovered by Vikings around 919 and used as a fortified settlement. Latter day cannons are still in evidence today on the rocky headland between the old town and the port down below.

Following the construction of the Barrage of Arzal, the now calm waters of the Vilaine Maritime at the port of La Roche Bernard serve as a marina with the capacity to accommodate over 500 boats and yachts. In high season frequent boat trips leave from the port taking in the sights of the Vilaine River down to the dam at Arzal. All types of boat from yachts to canoes can be rented at the port of la Roche Bernard and short-term moorings are available for boat owners.

La Roche Bernard is one of only twenty small towns and villages in Brittany to be awarded the prestigious ‘Petites Cités de Caractère’ award/classification. The classification was created to honour small towns and villages which best represent the historical and cultural identity of Brittany. As such it also serves as a list of much see places for the tourist exploring Brittany. The Morbihan region boasts four other Petites Cités de Caractère - Rochefort-en-Terre, Lizio, Josselin and Malestroit, all within easy reach of La Roche-Bernard. The town has also been awarded various other awards such as the ‘Ville Fleurie’ (France in Bloom) classification.

The cobbled streets around the Place du Bouffet in the old town house numerous restaurants to suit all budgets and rightly earn La Roche Bernard it’s gastronomic as well and historic and cultural heritage. Also worth a visit are the workshops of local artists, amongst them a potter, a still-life painter and a ‘mosaic’ artist who open their doors to the public.

The skyline above the port is dominated by a vast suspension bridge spanning the river. Whether in a car or on foot, the bridge affords spectacular views over the port and down the banks of the densely forested Vilaine estuary. To delve further into the history of the Vilaine River a visit the Museum of The Vilaine Maritime located in the Château des Basses-Fosses in the old town is highly recommended.