Known as Darioritum to the Romans and Gwened to the early Celts but the settlement soon became Vannes and the chief city of the Morbihan Region, lying only a short distance from the inland sea of Golfe de Morbihan.

A local man Nominoe, initially sponsored by no less a personage than Charlemagne, was made Duke of Brittany in 826 by King Charles the Pious with Vannes as its capital. After this there was no looking back. Secured by its ramparts, it became an important port and during the Middle Ages flourished with a variety of architectural styles and splendid buildings.

Today Vannes is a prosperous and dynamic modern City which has retained a great deal of historical and architectural interest for the visitor to see.

Place Gambetta at the top of the harbour allows you get your bearings and enjoy some refreshment whilst admiring the boats moored along the Quai Eric Tabarly and Quai Bernard Moitessier.