The Petite Mer route in Riantec

Departure: Kerdurand Park in Riantec. Car park at the entrance, access via Rue du Stade.

(S/E) From the car park, walk past the castle and take the path down to the left. Walk past the gate and leave the park by turning right onto Rue de Kerdurand.

(1) Take the first left and follow Rue Traversière before turning left at the end onto Rue du 14 Juillet. At the roundabout, continue straight ahead and ignore the streets on the right and left to reach a crossroads with a path between a hedge and a wall.

(2) Turn right onto the path that leads you to the corner of the cemetery. At the crossroads, go straight ahead into the car park, then left into the cul-de-sac between the houses. Head left, go through the chicane and continue left until you reach the post office.

(3) Continue straight ahead, past the car park, then continue along the path that runs alongside the stone wall. Turn left to go around the pond and reach the crossroads on the opposite side.

(4) Turn left and cross the road, then follow the path that follows the road to the left for a few metres. Before the small hedge, turn right onto the path to get away from the road. Follow the path and, keeping to the right, cross the footbridge to reach a fork.

(5) Turn left and continue. At the bus shelter totem, turn right and cross Rue du Lavoir to take the path opposite between the houses. At the next intersection, turn left, pass the houses and take the sunken path to Rue de l'Isle aux Pins.

(6) Turn right onto this street. (Alternative route via Rue de Kervern (summer only), follow the signs for "variante par Ty Ru et le Dreff".) At the end of Rue de l'Isle aux Pins, turn right onto Rue de Kerpunce, then immediately left towards the coastal path.

(7) Follow the coastal path on the right, ignoring the turnings on the right. You will arrive at Rue de la Concorde.

(8) Turn left and continue straight ahead to the junction with the dyke road leading to Île Kerner. Continue to the bridge.

(9) Cross over and take the small path that runs alongside the road on the left, closest to the pond. At the end of the bridge, continue straight ahead to pass in front of the church. Take Rue des Écoles on the left and find a path between the houses.

(10) Take this small path to the left of the disabled parking space. At the next crossroads, turn right and then immediately left to rejoin the coastal path. Follow it to the village of Les Salles.

(11) At the end of the path, turn right onto Rue de la Cale, then left onto Rue Marcel Bernade. Continue straight ahead until you reach the slipway. Turn right onto the beach and rejoin the coastal path, which will take you to the car park.

(12) Turn left onto Rue des Quatre Vents, then right after the bridge to follow the path along the lake. At the junction with Rue de Kerdurand, continue straight ahead into Impasse de Pont Arroch. Enter the woods and you will come to a fork.

(13) Take the path on the right that leads into the woods. Cross the stream and turn left at the wooden sports equipment, continuing to another fork.

(14) Turn right towards the buildings, then left to go behind the swimming pool. Return to the car park by turning right and passing in front of the swimming pool entrance gate. (S/E)

This route is offered by Lorient Agglomération.

It is listed in the Morbihan Departmental Plan for Walking and Hiking Routes and certified by the French Hiking Federation . You can follow the yellow markings.

You will be hiking through natural and private sites. Stay on the marked paths, respect nature, facilities and cultivated land. For your comfort and safety, make sure you have suitable hiking equipment.

• Kerdurand Park and Castle (^18th century): built by Jean Durand, merchant of Port-Louis (1830); Arboretum (1745); gatekeeper's lodge and gate (^{mid-19th century} ); now a cultural centre.
• Riant and Riantec ponds: separated from the Petite Mer de Gâvres by the Kerner bridge
• Sainte-Radegonde fountain: according to legend, gifted by the saint, topped with a pillar fountain in 1869.
• Marais du Dreff: former salt marsh; peaceful haven for birds; Natura 2000 site.
• Île Kerner and Pont de l'Huître (1920): Île Kerner house (former oyster farm, discovery centre for the Petite Mer de Gâvres).
• Sainte-Radegonde Church (^11th century): neo-Gothic style; rebuilt in 1927 after a fire in 1917.
• Village of Les Salles: former fishing village (sardine fishermen, shore fishermen).
• Stervins tide mill (1688): three-turn tide mill belonging to the Stervins seigneury, associated with two windmills; sawmill (closed in 1934).