Pontivy

Visit Pontivy, Brittany

Pontivy is a town in the north of the Morbihan department, in central Brittany and about half way between Saint-Brieuc on the northern coast and Carnac on the southern coast.

Explore Pontivy

For historical reasons the town is divided into two separate regions - the medieval section and the Napoleonic section - and each has places of interest that merit to be explored.

Because of this 'split personality' the name of the town has fluctuated between Pontivy and Napoleonville several times during the centuries. Hopefully it will stick with 'Pontivy' in the future - the name derived from 'pont' (bridge) and 'Ivy' (a monk who constructed a bridge over the Blavet river here in the 7th century).

Medieval Pontivy

The heart of 'historic' Pontivy is the old town, with the impressive 15th century Chateau des Rohan, a medieval moated castle in the centre of the town, and surrounded by streets lined with beautiful half-timbered houses.

The beautiful Chateau des Rohan reminds us of the wealth and importance of the Rohan dynasty, based here during the Middle Ages, and is certainly among the most impressive of the Brittany castles.

The old town is centred in the streets to the south of the castle. Continue exploring at Place du Martray, then follow Rue Guépin to reach Place Anne de Bretagne and continue north along Rue Souvestre to see the ornate entrance to the 16th century House of the Senechals. Back on the river banks you can see the 19th century hospital.

The 15th century Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Joie built in the gothic style is also in Pontivy old town. The more recent Church of Saint-Joseph was built in the 19th century and features some interesting stained glass windows.

Napoleon's Pontivy

The other part of the town, instigated by Napoleon (and once known as Napoleonville), follows a much more regimented design with straight roads of 18th century townhouses - Place Aristide-Briand is the heart of this part of Pontivy.

The Town Hall is among the most distinguished of the buildings from this period. (Note, although designed under Napoleon, it was mostly built later, under Napoleon III, in the 1850's).

Attractions nearby

Pontivy is on the Nantes-Brest canal and you might like to arrive on a river cruise through the Brittany region - a very tranquil way to enjoy the surrounding peaceful countryside - or take a boat trip through the region.

Tourist classifications for Pontivy: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*;

Suggested places to visit near Pontivy, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Auray 45km; Saint-Goustan 45km; Quimperle 48km; Vannes 49km; Lorient 49km; Saint-Brieuc 52km; Ile aux Moines 54km; La Trinite sur Mer 54km; Morbihan Gulf 54km; Carnac 54km; Megalithic site of Carnac 55km; Ile-d'Arz 55km; Megaliths of Locmariaquer 55km; Locmariaquer 56km; Carnac Plage 56km; Port Navalo 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Pontivy

Pontivy tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin du Botrain - remarkable garden (15km) : Lac de Guerlédan - site of natural beauty (16km) : Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marche - ville fleurie 4* (19km) : Jardin du Grand Launay - remarkable garden (35km) : Jardins de Kerambar’h - remarkable garden (36km) : Quintin - ville fleurie 4* (37km) : Jardin du Colombier - remarkable garden (41km) : Parc Victor Chevassu - remarkable garden (45km) :

French version: see Pontivy (Francais)