Pont l’Abbé

Pont l’Abbé is the capital of the Bigouden country. Situated 6km from Sainte-Marine, Maupassant described it as “the most Breton of Breton towns”.

Pont l’Abbé, a town at the end of an estuary

The town of Pont l’Abbé was built at the bottom of the estuary, at the limit of the zone of influence of the tides of the river Pont l’Abbé, the meeting point between the sea and the river.

The Rivière de Pont l’Abbé originates between Landudec and Plogastel-Saint-Germain and flows into the sea between Loctudy and Île-Tudy.

Pont l’Abbé, commercial city

Pont l’Abbé is the capital of the Pays Bigouden and offers a wide range of shops and boutiques: decoration, clothing, antiques, etc.

A large hall will also provide you with quality food products: meat, fish, seafood, fruit and vegetables, cheeses, etc.

Every Thursday, the city hosts the largest market in the area.

Pont l’Abbé, a city steeped in history

The first traces of man at Pont l’Abbé date back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic. Numerous remains have been discovered there.

In the Middle Ages, the lordship of Pont l’Abbé was one of the most powerful in Cornouaille (South Finistère). The castle of the Barons du Pont was built in the 14th century by Hervé du Pont and was modified several times thereafter. At that time the castle was surrounded by a wall 5 to 6 metres high and formed an oval 630 metres long.

Today the castle is home to the Bigouden town hall and the Bigouden museum, which presents through its exhibition the Bigouden way of life: clothes, headdresses, crafts, etc.

The bigoudène headdress

The high headdress of the Bigouden country is often used to present the ancient costumes of Brittany. However, it was only worn in the Bigouden country. In the other Breton territories the headdress is smaller and can take quite different shapes.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Bigouden museum you will be able to discover the peculiarities of the local costumes.