Guide to staying at Gîte au Manoir du Plessis-Quinquis

Lush gardens surround this ancient manor, ennobled in 1429 and one of the best preserved buildings in the Pays de Morlaix. Steeped in history, the manor sits in Finistère, in the Leon countryside, on the heights of Sainte-Sève, 4km from the Morlaix center, and 15 minutes from the nearby beaches. The philosophy and atmosphere of the Manor is based on rest, well-being, and serenity while you are enveloped in nature.

 

Cafés and restaurants

Creperie L’Hermine

Crepes – Breton

Morlaix, 10-minute drive

Thurs and Sun – closed
Mon – Sat: 12.00 – 14:00 and 19:00 – 21:00

Sitting in an old cobbled street in historic Morlaix near the viaduct, this adorable little restaurant serves the very best crepes and galettes to be found in the area, with a great choice of ingredients. The lively chef, who also happens to be a talented painter, is always cheerful and fun to meet.

Le Grand Café de la Terrasse

Brasserie – Terrace

Morlaix, 10-minute drive

Sun – closed
Mon – Sat: 08:30 – 23:00

A lively, bustling place with the atmosphere of a Parisian brasserie near the city hall and the viaduct in Morlaix. This place has been serving excellent meats, fish and good wines since 1885 and is an institution in Morlaix. The atmosphere is wonderful and there’s a terrace for sun lovers.

La Mariniere

Fish – Sea view

Carantec, 15-minute drive

Sun – closed
Mon – Sat: 08:30 – 23:00

If you want to eat the freshest fish and shellfish while gazing at a mesmerising sea view then this is the place to come. It’s owned by the same people as the Grand Café de la Terrasse and there are some typical brasserie dishes on the menu as well as the freshly-caught, beautifully cooked seafood.

L’Hotel de Carantec

Michelin star – Sea view

Carantec, 15-minute drive

Mon – Sun: 08:00 – 23:00

Young chef Nicolas Carro has earned himself one Michelin star and three toques in the Gault & Millau guide. The food is exceptional and there are spectacular views over the bay of Marlaix. This is the place to come for a special treat or simply because you love good food.

 

 

Walks & Outdoor activities

Plouescat and the Sand Coast

Coastal – Walking – Wildlife

30-minute drive

A wonderful walk along 13km of coastline with wild dunes, fine sandy beaches and lagoon-like coves. Discover dazzling turquoise waters, the dunes of Keremma, the longest sandbar in Brittany and much wildlife, including nesting geese, ducks and herons.

The Bay of Morlaix

Islands – Museum – Bay

15-minute drive

A remarkable landscape dotted with islands and islets and popular with artists in the 1900s. At low tide you can potter over to Callot island and the Chateau du Taureau, built to withstand attacks from the British in the 16th century. It’s now a museum which you can visit.

Locquirec

Beach – Harbourside – Town

30-minute drive

On a delightful peninsula surrounded by sparkling seas, this is a chic, refined resort with a miniature port where fishing boats and yachts bob in and out. It also has a pretty, sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming. You can stroll along the harbour and wander through its narrow streets lined with hydrangea and agapanthus-strewn villas.

 

Cultural experiences

La Chocolaterie Gran de Sail

Chocolate factory – Workshop – Museum

10-minute drive

Sun – Tues: closed
Weds – Sat: 09.30 – 18.30

A spellbinding visit (especially if you love chocolate) to this brand new chocolate factory. The gallery is open to the public and you can discover the history of chocolate and how it is made, plus peek into the production workshop. You can also take part in making your own customised bars – highly recommended for children aged 5 and over.

Chateau du Taureau

Island fortress – Historical site – Museum

15-minute drive

Mon – Sun: according to tides, check the website for more detail
Weds – Sat: 09.30 – 18.30

It’s worth visiting this museum, an offshore fortress built by Morlaix residents in the 1500s to prevent the British from looting the locals. It sits proudly in the middle of Morlaix Bay and you can get there by boat from Carantec (plage du Kelenn) or from Plougasnou (plage du Diben.

Le fonds Helene et Edouard Leclerc

Gallery – Modern art

30-minute drive

Check website for seasonal opening times

A fascinating peek into art in all its forms, from the second half of the 20th century to the present day. There are no permanent exhibitions, all are temporary but they cover painting, drawing, photography and comic strip. Their philosophy is that art should be accessible to all.

 

Boulangeries, traiteurs and supermarkets

Patisserie Traon

Pastries – Tarts – Breton

Morlaix, 10-minute drive

Mon: closed
Tues – Sat: 08:00 – 19:00
Sun: 08:00 – 12:00

This is a place regularly praised by guidebooks, particularly for their famous Kouign Amann (a gorgeous buttery, flaky and sugary pastry) made according to the Douarnenez recipe and sent to expat Bretons throughout the world to keep them sane and happy. They also make an exceptional flan pâtissier (French custard tart) so if you’re watching your waistline you should limit your visits.

Stéphane Giraud

Bakery – Patisserie – Chocolates

Morlaix and Carantec, 10-minute drive

Mon – Tues: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:00
Weds- Sun: 09:00 – 19:00

This has been the undisputed meeting place for discerning gourmets since 2009 and it is run by a passionate and talented pastry chef and chocolatier. To get the best experience it’s important to try everything from handmade chocolate, pastries, macarons, cakes and nougat to the lightest pastry in savoury quiches and snacks. Delicious.

Maison Quemener

Butchers – Cheeses – Delicatessen

10-minute drive

Sun – Mon: closed
Tues- Sat: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 19:00

A fabulous butcher and delicatessen shop offering a vast selection of excellent local meats and regional cheeses. They also offer tasty ready-made meals you can take home and heat up if you’re feeling a bit lazy about cooking.

Ostrea Marée, Saint Martin des champs

Fishmongers – Local – Seafood

5-minute drive

Sun – Mon: closed
Tues- Sat: 09:00 – 19:00

The freshest fish and shellfish arrive here daily from the Roscoff fish auction. They’ll happily prepare seafood platters for you and cook your lobsters, crabs and langoustines to order at no additional cost. You can also order tasty fresh crayfish from them.

 

 

Markets

Morlaix Market

Local produce – Crafts– Clothing

10-minute drive

Sat: 08:00 – 13:00

Head out to this large food market on Place Allende – probably the biggest and best open air market in the region. Local organic farmers and producers sell a myriad of breads, cheeses, vegetables, poultry, meat, herbal teas, beers and honey. On Place des Otages you’ll also find clothing and crafts. It’s a grand morning out and you can bring back your haul for a big cook-in.

Saint Martin-des-Champs

Local – Authentic – Food and drink

5-minute drive

Sat: 08:00 – 13:30

A little replica of the Morlaix market with fewer stalls but well worth a visit, particularly if you’ve forgotten something at the Saturday market. You’ll find it on the Place de la Mairie.

 

Brocantes and ateliers

Le Boudeuse et le Crapaud Brocante

Antiques – Interiors

Morlaix, 10-minute drive

Sun – Weds: closed
Thurs – Sat: 08:00 – 13:00

An antique business with very pleasant owners which began in Morlaix in 2018 and branched out into Guerlesquin in 2022. Adeline and Jordan sell a wide range of decorative objects and collector’s items as well as period, stylish, vintage and designer furniture. You’ll also find art, mirrors and rugs.

Le Grand Imaginaire

Antiques – Decorative arts – Ecclectic

Morlaix, 10-minute drive

Sun: closed
Mon- Sat: 10:30 – 12:30 and 14:30 – 18:30

On an iconic street in the town, rue Ange de Geurnisac, you’ll find Sylvain’s special shop. They buy and sell antiquarian books, maps and engravings, marine objects and African art. Spend a while browsing here and see what treasures you can unearth.

 

 

Vineyards and distilleries

Brasserie Da Bep Lec’h

Brewery – Breton – Concerts

Saint Martin-des-Champs, 10-minute drive

Sat – Tues: closed
Weds – Fri: 16:00 – 18:30

A wide range of artisan beers from this local brewery offering regular, seasonal and ephemeral brews. Brittany’s brewing tradition stretches back to the 17th century and there are now more than 223 Breton breweries turning out artisan ales.

 

Family activities

Espace aquatique du pays de Morlaix

Swimming pool – Slide – Jacuzzi

5-minute drive

Mon – Sun: 10:00 – 19:00

Enjoy the 25 metre pool kept at a comfortable 28 degrees. Big enough for serious laps or just for a splash about. There’s also a fun pool for children a 50 meter slide and a paddling pool, kept at a cosy 32 degrees with a jacuzzi and relaxation area.

Ecopark Adventure Penzé

Aerial adventures – Forest – Treasure hunts

15-minute drive

Open daily in summer

Lots of family activities here for all age groups. Try Accrobranche – a 10-tree adventure course for all levels and a minipark for little ones from 2 years old. Or set off on an Explor game – a cross between an outdoor treasure hunt and an escape game. Discover the forest armed with touch-sensitive tablet. From age 10 (children from 7-9 must be accompanied by an adult). There are 2 to 4 players and the game lasts approximately one hour.

 

Indoor activities

Espace des Sciences de Morlaix

Museum – Science

10-minute drive

Mon – Tues: closed
Mon – Tues: 14:00 – 18:00

This is housed in the former tobacco factory and is an exciting innovation, the only one of its kind in France. Its aims are to highlight the history of manufacturing and to promote scientific culture. At the Manufacture de Morlaix you can learn about the evolution of technology in a place steeped in history and with an exceptional industrial heritage.

 

Further afield

La vallée des Saints

Art installation – Sculptures – Picnics

Carnoet, 45-minute drive

Open daily

There is magic in this extraordinary art site, featuring almost 200 monumental sculptures over 4 meters high. Constructed from Breton granite the figures represent the saints who have left their mark on Brittany. It’s an awesome place to spend a day and you’ll find a little souvenir shop, a snack bar and picnic tables.

La pointe de Saint Mathieu

Cliffs – Walking – Historic site

60-minute drive

Come for steep cliffs swept by wind and sea, incredible views, big skies, an imposing lighthouse and the ruins of an ancient abbey. Just a stone’s throw away the port of Le Conquet is the gateway to the islands of Molene and Ouessant.