The Gulf of Morbihan from Bénance to Duer

Park in the car park at the start of Rue du Pont Févis, at the far end of Bénance Cove.

(S/E) Head back towards Sarzeau to pass the far end of the cove and take the path branching off to the left. Magnificent meadows lined with tall trees stretch out on the right-hand side of the path leading to the outbuildings and the Château du Néret.
Walk past the mansion’s majestic porch and follow the high walls alongside the path until you reach the junction with a footpath that starts on the left between two walls.

(1) Continue straight on until you reach the outskirts of Truscat Castle. Boardwalks have been laid to cross the wettest sections of this part of the route. You’ll reach the castle gate.

(2) Walk past this gate and continue along the path that runs away from the village houses. Shortly after a fountain, the high boundary wall disappears, opening up an unobstructed view of the sea. Here, you can already sense the intertwining of land and sea. You’ll reach a crossroads with four perpendicular paths.

(3) Turn left at a right angle to reach the Truscat salt marsh.

(4) Walk around it, then take the same path back to the previous crossroads.

(3) Turn left and head towards Kerbodec.

(5) After passing the row of small houses, turn left to reach the coast. A wide avenue ends facing the sea, and a path branches off to the right. Take this path, passing in front of Kergeorget Castle, a pretty building set slightly back from the coastline.
Continue along the coastal path until you reach the Duer crossroads.

(6) Carry on straight ahead along the coastal path to reach Pointe de Duer. Head south, then veer slightly away from the coast to avoid the bird sanctuary. Return to the coastal path, then turn left towards the observation tower standing a little further on.

(7) Return to the path and continue to the left, towards the village of Duer. At the crossroads, turn right and walk straight through the village to reach the seafront.

(6) Turn left and follow the same path as on the way there

(3) . After Kerbodec, ignore the path on the right leading to the salt marshes (unless a second visit is on the cards), then pass the gate of Truscat Castle once more. Continue along the stone wall until you reach the first crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right to head down this path which leads to the sea.

(8) Here you have two options:
- return to the starting point by following the old dykes that once separated the Gulf from the marshes or tidal mill ponds bordering it, but please note that this route is not always passable or convenient,
- turn back to return to the previous junction.

(1) Turn right and follow the route you took on the way out to return to the car park at the far end of Bénance Cove (S/E).

(2) A grand gate marks the entrance to the estate. Isolated in the middle of a vast park, the château stands behind tall trees that partially conceal it. Next to it, a tiny chapel is set against buildings that must once have been the outbuildings.

(4) Truscat Saltworks: the first information boards will welcome you and invite you to explore this newly restored site. Thanks to Olivier, the salt worker who undertook this restoration. The route he has set up at his saltworks offers a unique insight into this environment. As he writes, the ‘hosts’ of this place grant you permission to enter. Please be as discreet and respectful of the site as possible.
Take the time to visit this salt marsh. It is said to be the oldest in the Gulf of Morbihan, and it lay unused for over a century before the salt worker restored it. And as he is a very knowledgeable guide, the entire route is dotted with a wide variety of fascinating explanations.

(7) Observation tower: by approaching as quietly as possible, you can watch the comings and goings of those working there, who can be quite numerous depending on the season.

(Between)8(and 1) on the way back along the path – which, unfortunately, is rather difficult to navigate – admire the beautiful façade of the Château du Néret, with its colonnaded loggia.

In an area so rich in wildlife, it is worth bringing a pair of binoculars so that you can get a better look at the inhabitants of these parts.