Concarneau is one of France’s largest fishing ports, as well as a popular resort.  The area around the harbour is touristy, with lots of restaurants specialising in seafood. The hinterland is a working town, and the port has a couple of large dry docks.

Its unique feature is a medieval walled section which juts out into the harbour. In times of peril (ie when the British were attacking) townsfolk could withdraw into this. It looks impregnable, although there is a small less fortified side entrance where they used to bring in the wine! It’s a bit like a miniature version of Mont St Michel. Nowadays inside it’s all shops and restaurants.

Outside the medieval bit there are new waterfront developments, and a growing marina. Along the coast from the town centre there are popular beaches, and we spotted a ‘Sandbanks style’ new house on the seafront.