AROUND AND ABOUT
SHOPPING, EATING & DRINKING
If you feel the need to leave this delightful village, the nearest town is Plumeliau.
In a matter of minutes an easy drive gets you to a supermarket, a selection
of bars and restaurants, cashpoints, boulangeries, post office, vet for pet passports, pharmacy, doctor and dentist,
even a model railway exhibition - indeed, all facilities for day to day needs or for emergencies.
In Pontivy and Baud (10-15 minutes drive) there are a number of hypermarkets and, of course,
a very wide selection of places to eat and drink.
Pontivy is also well-known for its weekly market
and low cost shopping opportunities for gifts, clothing etc.
Brittany is famous for its delicious
Breton biscuits and these can be bought at trade prices at the biscuit factory (where you can taste before you buy!).
First time visitors to this part of Brittany will be very pleasantly surprised to find such
a selection of very low cost eating places.
It is not unusual to have a four or five course lunch
including plentiful wine and cider for under £10.
Your hosts will be pleased
to give you the details and opening times of the best places to go to enjoy superb food at the best prices.
SIGHTSEEING
Southern Brittany abounds with historic and prehistoric places of interest. Nearby Carnac,
which is noted for its fabulous beaches, is also world renowned for its megaliths and over
three thousand standing stones (menhirs) and ancient dolmens. There is a one-hour tourist
train tour of the region which is also a great introduction to the beaches of Carnac and La
Trinite sur Mer.
There are many museums and chateaux in the area, all worthy of a visit as are some of the
unspoilt mediaeval towns such as Auray (30 mins) and Josselin (30 mins) and the famous port
cities of Vannes and Lorient.
Within easy cycling distance of La Maison Magique there is the ancient Saint Gildas
Chapel built into the riverside rocks which can also be viewed by road
through the locks of the River Blavet.
In nearby Camors, with its forest adventure park, there is also one of the last surviving
Sabotier (traditional Breton clogs) factory which is open to the public.
In Baud there is a museum dedicated to the history of the post card - thousands of post
cards are on display dating back to the beginnings of this tradition. There is also a
large indoor swimming pool and watersports centre.
Pontivy, sometime Napoleonville, is steeped in history and the magnificent chateau in
the centre of the town is also open to the public.
Our central position brings just about everywhere in Brittany within easy driving reach,
including numerous beaches and the inland Gulf of Morbihan.
MARKETS
Each day of the week at least one of the local towns has an extensive market. The full list of these markets is available in the information pack in the gites.
HORSE-RIDING
If horse-riding or pony trekking is your interest, there are a number of friendly, welcoming stables in the local area who cater for all levels of skill, from beginners to experienced. Riding through the Blavet Valley and surrounding woodland and forests is an absolute delight.
WATER SPORTS
Just to the north of the mediaeval town of Pontivy is Lac du Guerledan (Brittany's largest lake) where you will find water sports and lakeside beaches. Literally 100m from La Maison Magique is Brittany's premier canoe/kayak club where canoes and kayaks can be rented and lessons arranged.
CAMORS FOREST ADVENTURE PARK
Within the beautiful and extensive forest of Camors you will find the adventure park where both the young and not so young will enjoy the well planned forest tree-top walks and other forest adventures.
GO-KARTING
Approximately two miles away is a large outdoor go-kart track, and a similar distance for quad biking.
TENNIS
In Plumeliau, just over three miles away, are free tennis courts.
SWIMMING
If you are a serious swimmer who needs more than the pool at Maison Magique, Baud has a large indoor heated pool with water slides and Pontivy has a large outdoor heated pool as well as an indoor water centre.
RAMBLING
The area around Saint Nicolas des Eaux offers many opportunities for unrestricted rambles through forest land, farm land, quiet country lanes and the towpath where you can enjoy tranquil river views, the many picturesque locks - a heaven for bird watchers. There is a nearby 'environmentally-friendly Leisure Park' - the Balade du Pere Nicolas - with wild-life walks.
CYCLING
Many of our guests have discovered the pleasure of safe cycling in the countryside around the village and particularly along the traffic free level towpath which is very relaxing for families with children. La Maison Magique has a selection of bicycles available for hire including mountain bikes, children's bikes and buggies. For those dedicated to the sport of cycling there are many testing opportunities in the hilly country surrounding the village. However our own bikes are only designed for the towpath.
TEN-PIN BOWLING
There are ten-pin bowling centres in nearby Pontivy and Locmine.
CANOEING
There are pedaloes in the village for exploring the river between the locks and for the more active, there is a well managed canoe/kayak club where canoes can be hired and lessons arranged. (possibly closed for repair during 2015)