Making the most of Lorient
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Lorient sits on Brittany's beautiful southern coast, beside an immense natural harbour created by three rivers flowing into the Atlantic.
The city centre is 800 meters away.
Lorient is a Morbihan seaport and commune in Brittany. Much of it was destroyed during World War II, and its present architecture reflects the 1950s. Brittany is known for megalithic monuments scattered across the peninsula, with the largest alignments close to Carnac. Surrounded by sea, Lorient has plentiful fresh seafood and fish, especially mussels and oysters.
Formerly a base for French colonialism, Lorient has the Musée de la Compagnie des Indes, displaying artefacts from 1660 to the end of the 18th century. The city nevertheless looks modern because it was rebuilt extensively after World War II. For a distinctive view of that period, visit the enormous German submarine base.
Transportation
Walk beside the Scorff River for attractive views and a relaxed atmosphere; it is well suited to an unhurried stroll.
The city-centre railway station has regional services and TGV trains to Paris.
Nearby places
Spend an easy day in pretty Quimper, a popular tourist town in a scenic valley where the Steir and Odet rivers meet. It has a long pottery-making tradition.
It is about 1 hour from Lorient by public transport.
Food and shopping
Traditional choices include oversized wheat or buckwheat crêpes filled with sweet ingredients, creamed scallops and lamb raised on seaside salt marshes.
Money
The currency is the Euro.
Opening Hours and
Most French shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks stay open through the day. Smaller shops and enterprises may close for lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm. Larger shops normally trade 8 or 9am to 6.30 or 7.30pm Monday-Saturday, while smaller ones tend to open Tuesday-Saturday, with some reopening on Monday afternoon. Boulangeries and food shops can still be found open on closure days, usually until noon on Sunday.