A Century of Impact is a 192-page hardbound treasure celebrating NPCA’s first 100 years of protecting America’s national parks. LOOK INSIDE --> How a bit of Dry Tortugas National Park ended up 4,500 miles away in Brittany. With his partner, Hélène Laclaverie, Elliot-Saudrais runs Perros-Guirec’s “miniature harbor,” where children can drive 12-foot-long electric boats. He always thought the tidal basin lacked a little flair, so he saw the stranded buoy as an opportunity. “We told ourselves, ‘Wow, it would make for a great decoration!’” he said. “We had to get it.” So, Elliot-Saudrais, his brother, Laclaverie and two friends came back two days later. One of them, a professional diver, jumped into the water and tied a rope around the buoy, which was stuck between rocks above the waterline. It took the full power of the motorboat and nearly a dozen attempts, but after nearly an hour, the team finally freed the buoy and towed it to its new home. It is now adorned by a Star-Spangled Banner floating above the black-and-white flag of Brittany. Erwan Elliot-Saudrais (foreground) and a friend with the freed Dry Tortugas buoy. The Dry Tortugas buoy did not travel solo. Its lower parts were covered by tiny barnacles that Elliot-Saudrais suspected were erstwhile Florida residents. As far as what carried the floater from Florida to France, there is one likely culprit. “The assumption is that it’s the Gulf Stream,” Gantt said. “That’s the way it goes.” Elliot-Saudrais said he was willing to return the buoy to its owners anytime, but that probably won’t be necessary. Transporting it back to Florida would be cost-prohibitive, and Gantt said the park was in the process of transferring ownership of the buoy to Perros-Guirec authorities. Google Maps already identifies “la Bouée de Floride” as a local landmark. You can read this and other stories about history, nature, culture, art, conservation, travel, science and more in National Parks magazine. Your tax-deductible membership donation of $25 or more entitles… The buoy’s wanderings, on the other hand, have seemingly come to an end. Elliot-Saudrais said that while not exempt from storms, Brittany doesn’t experience hurricanes. Also, the miniature harbor is completely enclosed by walls of pink granite. “Even if its moorings were to break, it would stay in the basin,” he said. “It can’t escape anymore.” Nicolas is a journalist and former geologist who joined NPCA in November 2015. He serves as senior editor of National Parks magazine. National Parks, our award-winning quarterly magazine, is an exclusive benefit of membership in the National Parks Conservation Association. “The president’s proposed budget plan is beyond extreme. It is catastrophic. If enacted by Congress, our national park system would be completely decimated." - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President and… “This is the most extreme, unrealistic and destructive National Park Service budget a President has ever proposed in the agency’s 109-year history. It’s nothing less than an all-out assault… "Rather than supporting our park staff during this challenging time, Congress is doubling down, further straining an overwhelmed Park Service." - Kristen Brengel, NPCA's SVP of Government Affiars Preserving Our Past. Protecting Our Future. FranceChevron Perros-GuirecChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAmenities up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Peter Cumberlidge invites you to create golden family memories in three hand-picked havens: fabulous Falmouth glorious Guernsey and stylish Perros-Guirec over in North Brittany Family boating can be very rewarding for all concerned and I was lucky to experience this myself from an early age But with teenagers on board for a longish summer cruise you need to make sure everyone has a chance to enjoy their holiday in their own ways Covering vast distances and visiting lots of new harbours isn’t necessarily the best way to keep all the crew happy it’s usually best to combine short spells at sea with a lively menu of daily activities window._taboolaSlots=window._taboolaSlots||[];window._taboolaSlots.push({"mode":"thumbnails-a-mid","container":"taboola-mid-article","placement":"Mid Article","target_type":"mix"}); Falmouth is readily accessible by road or rail Guernsey by air and Perros is barely two hours’ drive from St Malo ferry delivery trips to and from the base can provide interest and satisfaction for those who like longer passages without having to involve family members who don’t it’s no problem to reach from the Solent once you’ve crossed Lyme Bay to Dartmouth Falmouth has miles of sheltered water in the Penryn River Truro River and various creeks and inlets branching off this beautiful combined waterway plus visitor buoys and pontoons in prime locations it’s a short hop south to the Helford River or you might cruise 16 miles north-east for a day in picturesque Mevagissey the estuary has enough peaceful hideaways for a summer of carefree pottering you see glittering tongues of water in all directions St Mawes village looks exquisitely English Carrick Road glides up to Mylor Yacht Harbour and the Faland Truro Rivers a chandler and easy kayak and motor launch hire To port past the dockyard lies Falmouth itself with Port Pendennis next to the Maritime Museum and friendly Falmouth Haven off the town quays Falmouth Marina is snug but doesn’t take bookings Cruising up the Fal Above Turnaware Point is the first of several detached visitor pontoons where you can soak up the soothing atmosphere A chain ferry crosses the straight stretch past King Harry Passage and beyond it several looming ships are laid up its National Trust gardens edging the river There’s another peaceful pontoon a mile above the ferry Helford River This Cornish cruising jewel is four miles south-west of the Falmouth entrance to starboard as you enter; boats under 15m can lie in the Pool Anchoring isn’t allowed further upstream because of oyster beds On the north side of the Pool is the stylish Ferryboat Inn; on the south side Helford River Sailing Club and the Shipwrights Arms By spending a week or two in and around Guernsey perhaps even visiting the remote Humps anchorage north of Herm or a touch further to Grève de la Ville on the north-east coast Both bays have visitor moorings and La Grève is particularly cosy in westerlies it’s a pleasant stroll up to Candie Gardens a green oasis in the heart of St Peter Port fork left up Smith Street and cross St Julian’s Avenue The gardens have panoramic views north-east to Alderney and south-east to Jersey with the Normandy coast visible on clear days I chose Perros-Guirec as my third holiday base because it seems so naturally focused on leisure This civilised Breton resort has always been a place for unwinding and the old family villas up behind Pointe du Château would once have been used for long summer vacations from mid-June to late September Perros lies just over 90 miles south of Dartmouth entrance and 50 miles south-west of Guernsey making an interesting but not too arduous delivery trip The Brittany Ferries St Malo and Roscoff terminals are handy for shuttling by car Perros harbour lies at the head of the shallow Anse de Perros a wide sandy bay partly sheltered from seaward by Île Tomé Perros Marina is retained by a long sill and entered though a lock gate near high water bars and restaurants and the harbour has lift-out and repair facilities The whole place is extremely laid-back and the amiable waterfront feels permanently en vacances You can walk to superb sandy beaches and there are interesting daytime anchorages short hops away Day jaunts from Perros must work around marina opening times the marina is accessible mornings and evenings Port Blanc A few miles north-east of Perros this pretty village huddles behind a cordon of rocks opposite Guazer red buoy the bay widens out and you can anchor as depths allow Check the echo sounder as the ebb runs away Anse de Trestel Halfway between Port Blanc and Perros this splendid sandy bay is a gem in quiet weather starting from the Passe de l’Est leading line with the north edge of Île Tomé bearing west true Les Sept-Îles There’s an attractive anchorage in the bay between Île aux Moines and Île Bono Above half-tide various rocky shoals in the approaches are safely covered and you can simply drive in from the SSE Anchor opposite the east end of Moines with each island about 250m off Wildlife boat trips to Sept-Îles This rugged archipelago is the most important marine bird reserve in France and you may spot some jaunty puffins (macareux in French) the grey stone lighthouse and a partly ruined fort a strangely sculpted promontory of pink granite Sentier des Douaniers This wonderful coastal path between Perros and Ploumanac’h has some of the finest views in Brittany The rose-coloured cliffs glow in the sun and Les Sept-Îles look mysterious a few miles offshore Foreign Affairs has been the leading forum for serious discussion of American foreign policy and global affairs The magazine has featured contributions from many leading international affairs experts CAITLIN RIVERS is Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health she served as founding Associate Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention He was joined by five members of his cabinet It was an unusual show of force for a press conference and with two unpopular wars underway and the response to Hurricane Katrina still floundering “Leaders at every level of government have a responsibility to confront dangers before they appear and engage the American people on the best course of action,” he declared could cost millions of lives and trillions of dollars Bush then announced a sweeping new program meant to tackle those dangers head-on But it wasn’t a military conflict that commanded presidential attention It wasn’t another hurricane or a terrorist attack “Pandemic flu,” Bush explained “occurs when a new strain of influenza emerges that can be transmitted easily from person to person—and for which there is little or no natural immunity.” No such strain existed then he was announcing the creation of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza a comprehensive government plan for handling pandemic flu outbreaks we can give our citizens some peace of mind,” he said His warning proved prescient. Four years later, in 2009, two children in southern California with no connection to each other developed fevers and coughs. Laboratory tests soon revealed that they were both infected with a new subtype of influenza. Within two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activated its Emergency Operations Center and began work to develop a vaccine The Strategic National Stockpile sent antivirals and personal protective equipment to states The World Health Organization declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and raised the influenza pandemic alert to the highest level Now, 14 years after H1N1, and with COVID-19 still roiling the world, the United States is again facing the prospect of an influenza pandemic. Avian influenza, or H5N1, has been tearing through animals for over a year, spreading more widely than it ever has before. In the United States H5N1 has been detected in more than 6,300 wild birds and in every state Outbreaks in commercial flocks have been registered in 47 states leading farmers to cull over 58 million birds And the number of affected birds and mammal species continues to grow there is little evidence of the tenacity that propelled action in 2005 and 2009 the world has largely chosen to wait and see what happens next the fatality rate has been roughly 50 percent A bird flu that spreads efficiently among people would result in a new pandemic and exact extraordinary costs to human life The United States needs to make sure it is ready for such a pandemic—just in case it happens It can start by updating evaluations of how likely H5N1 is to start spreading between humans and what effect such spread would have It should identify and prepare emergency steps to control the virus The country also needs to look at the existing vaccines it has for the avian flu to see if they are effective It has to restock whatever health supplies it burned through while fighting COVID-19 And it must communicate all these steps to the U.S the United States risks finding itself mired in another catastrophic pandemic Although it has attracted relatively little public attention the scope of the avian flu outbreak is far beyond anything the world has seen before The World Organization for Animal Health has recorded hundreds of H5N1 outbreaks in dozens of countries the organization recorded 70 outbreaks across three continents resulting in the culling of three million birds in a three-week reporting period A recent study out of Spain snapped the plausibility of this scenario into focus Most mammal infections with the virus are one-offs acquired when an animal has direct contact with a bird could pick it up by scavenging a carcass.) But in Spain investigators observed a more concerning pattern Mink in a commercial farming facility became ill with H5N1 even though no poultry outbreaks had been reported in the region A subsequent investigation led epidemiologists to conclude that the virus was likely spreading among the animals Mink can become infected with both avian and human influenza viruses which suggests they could serve as vessels for the virus to learn how to spread between people Mink are not the only mammals that may have experienced internal H5N1 transmission Peruvian health officials reported in March that tens of thousands of wild birds and nearly 3,500 sea lions were found dead off the country’s coast The sea lions may all have had direct contact with infected birds and encountered the virus that way it is possible that the virus was spreading among the mammals themselves A rapid investigation by veterinary health officials was unable to rule out that possibility the mink and possible sea lion outbreaks are not themselves catalytic events that would make H5N1 a human threat and the mink bout was thoroughly controlled by Spanish health authorities shots over the bow that show how the virus might find a path to spread in humans There are multiple ways that the avian flu could evolve The virus could remain primarily a threat to animal health until it recedes It could also stay limited to animals without routinely infecting humans becoming a persistent ecological and economic threat including by driving up egg and poultry prices and threatening endangered species is that H5N1 could evolve to spread efficiently between people It is impossible to say which of these scenarios will come to pass and overreacting risks wasting public attention and resources concerns about future acts of bioterrorism motivated the United States to offer smallpox vaccines to health-care workers and emergency responders But the vaccine in use at the time was fairly risky and smallpox attacks were a theoretical concern so the program was stymied by low participation the federal government spent important political capital on something unpopular But an even worse failing would be to underreact to the next emerging threat Policymakers therefore must take steps to prepare for a human H5N1 pandemic the country can respond swiftly and aggressively The most important immediate action that governments can take is to better gauge exactly how likely it is that bird flu will efficiently spread between humans The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses a standardized Influenza Risk Assessment Tool that is meant to do just that But the agency has not updated it for H5N1 since March 2022—before the recent explosion of cases and before scientists gained a greater understanding of the virus The tool should be updated now and more frequently going forward The federal government should also establish metrics and triggers for when to escalate its public health response to H5N1 officials lost time negotiating over when such a response is justified During the 2014 to 2016 outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa the international public health community infamously took months to rally because it falsely assumed the outbreak would easily come under control The result was an outbreak that spread across the region and took 11,325 lives officials should hold discussions now with the goal of identifying clear and agreed-upon indicators for when to initiate certain emergency actions—for example if multiple human cases are diagnosed within a short period government departments and agencies with pandemic management responsibilities should explain clearly and in great detail what those emergency actions will be might revisit its Pandemic Influenza Plan to incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic Officials should also begin preparing public health actions—especially for how they will produce and distribute vaccines the United States will not have to start from scratch: the Pandemic Influenza Stockpile contains a vaccine designed to protect against H5N1 But the government must make sure this vaccine has been tested against the currently circulating strain It must also determine whether it needs new investments to scale up vaccine production and it should check plans to distribute doses the vaccine is likely stored in bulk form to extend its shelf life the doses would instead need to be “filled and finished”—in other words put into vials—a possibly time-consuming process that the government should map out the United States must examine its Strategic National Stockpile It usually holds materials necessary for successful mass vaccination campaigns but its stores may have been drawn down by the government’s responses to COVID-19 and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) If the government does not have enough of these materials the federal government should increase its communications regarding the H5N1 situation and the measures it is taking to prepare there is very little information available in the public domain a misstep that echoes the early days of the COVID-19 and mpox epidemics information voids are inevitably filled with misinformation The United States should not let that happen again Washington may face even greater competing crises today than in 2005 when Bush launched the country’s influenza strategy But it also has the institutional and public memory of the COVID-19 pandemic the United States can be well prepared for a scenario where H5N1 becomes a human virus Subscribe to Foreign Affairs to get unlimited access Already a subscriber? Sign In Caitlin Rivers and Dylan George Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker Miriam Sapiro and Todd N. Tucker Sagatom Saha, Noah Kaufman, Gautam Jain, and Christopher Bataille Jason Bordoff and Meghan L. O’Sullivan Hussein Kalout and Feliciano Guimarães Ivo H. Daalder and James M. Lindsay Tong Zhao Zongyuan Zoe Liu Anne Neuberger Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage * Note that when you provide your email address, the Foreign Affairs Privacy Policy and Terms of Use will apply to your newsletter subscription Published by The Council on Foreign Relations Privacy Policy Terms of Use From the publishers of  Foreign Affairs This website uses cookies to improve your experience You can opt-out of certain cookies using the cookie management page * Note that when you provide your email address, the Foreign Affairs Privacy Policy and Terms of Use will apply to your newsletter subscription Police launch investigation after memorial in Brittany to former minister daubed with swastikas A stone memorial commemorating the life of the Holocaust survivor and former minister Simone Veil has been defaced with swastikas sparking fresh concern over antisemitism in France at Perros-Guirec in the western Brittany region was found to have been daubed with the Nazi insignia on Wednesday morning Veil, born in 1927, survived the Holocaust to become a celebrated figure in French politics battling antisemitism and also serving as speaker of the European parliament she was deported to Auschwitz and lost her mother Veil died in 2017. The following year, the president, Emmanuel Macron, decreed she should have the honour of a final resting place in the Pantheon in Paris which holds the tombs of France’s greatest heroes “To deface her memorial is to deface France These heinous acts must not go unpunished,” she added The Ouest-France newspaper said it was the third time the memorial had been targeted within the last week It had previously been smeared with mustard and excrement The vandalism comes at an acutely sensitive time in France following a furore over a sign displayed at a protest in the eastern city of Metz at the weekend that police said was clearly antisemitic The sign denounced Macron’s enforcement of a health pass in France to encourage people to get vaccinated and contained the names of prominent politicians The teacher suspected of brandishing the sign will go on trial next month accused of seeking to incite racial hatred This article was amended on 17 August 2021 You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Brittany's moody and atmospheric landscapes remain breathtaking—even in the off-season © Julien Marsault French writer Julien Marsault recently enjoyed an off-season adventure on the Brittany coast in northwestern France Here he shows you what you can see and do on a gentle road trip filled with wildlife spotting excellent seafood and rejuvenating coastal walks Being a freelancer isn't always a walk in the park My partner couldn't take a full week off for a trip abroad so we decided to travel for just three days and two nights nearby exploring a bit more of the region we've been living in for almost two years now We stayed one night in the small harbor city of Paimpol after spending an entire afternoon exploring one of the most beautiful places in the region, Bréhat known as the 'Island of Flowers.' Despite spring being a distant memory the location gracefully combined serenity and beauty and sandy shores giving way to striking red cliffs Visiting during the off-season allowed us the advantage of walking without many people around and enjoying a comforting cup of coffee in one of the nearly deserted village squares The next day we drove for an hour to reach Perros-Guirrec where we would stay for the night We enjoyed a lovely morning with a leisurely stroll along the stunning pink rocks of Ploumanac'h beach before having lunch in a Breton restaurant: the Crêperie des Flots Our trip’s climax was a boat tour of the Sept Îles archipelago (€50 for two) we embarked on a nearly three-hour cruise on the water to explore the realm of Northern Gannets known as "Les fous de bassan" – a bird species renowned for its fishing techniques This nature reserve is indeed a sight to behold you might even have the chance to greet a seal basking nonchalantly on its rock After visiting the Sept Îles archipelago we made a stop at Le Bleu Marin a cozy seafood restaurant in Perros-Guirrec It’s tricky for me not to take advantage of the abundance and quality of Breton fishing during such an excursion After finding the perfect spot by scrolling through Google Maps (after a few years of practice and the service was impeccable (once again We relished a splendid selection of shrimp a fine and crispy bottle of white wine to cap off the day in grand style (€60-70 for two) I was pleasantly surprised by how cheap and smooth it was to travel around by car A dear friend lent us her personal vehicle and here, you don't need a powerful SUV; the roads are typically in good condition, the speed limit is 110 km/h, and there are no tolls in Brittany (it's the only region in the whole country without motorways). This trip also made me discover an online map which lists the fuel prices based on your location It was also pretty easy to find parking in Perros-Guirrec it can be a bit challenging in these small coastal towns This allowed us to be completely free in our movements without having to watch the clock to avoid having to pay an expensive fine We concluded our journey with a leisurely hike in the Monts d'Arrée, located just under 100 kilometers from Perros-Guirec, before embarking on a two-hour drive back to Rennes It’s way less touristy than the Breton coast but this mountain range offers a great opportunity to experience absolute tranquility as you relax in the picturesque landscape of moors and rocks the area suffered a devastating fire back in 2022 but it still retains its cherished landscapes and magnificent forests My pair of German army trainers of course has been a cornerstone of my wardrobe for almost 8 years and cost me less than €30 (it’s a bit more expensive nowadays) this vintage model became very popular when Belgian fashion designer Martin Margiela drew inspiration from it to create similar shoes in the early 2000s They accompany me on many journeys, both in France and abroad. Bretagne is no exception and the unpredictable nature of its weather calls for a versatile pair, especially when it comes to walking for long hours. Bonus: they pair very well with a more dressed-up outfit like during our dinner at Le Bleu Marin. Ploumanac'h has all the hallmarks of a charming commune we’re heading for Brittany and the Côtes d’Armor where the small village of Ploumanac’h nestles itself part of the commune of Perros-Guirec Ploumanac’h was voted ” Favorite Village of the French “ a well-deserved distinction for this jewel nestled on Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast Originally a modest fishing hamlet called Ploumanac’h which means “monk’s marsh” in Breton it has evolved into the village of Perros-Guirec preserving its authenticity over the centuries Ploumanac’h is a popular destination offering an immersive experience between the sea and the pink granite rocks restaurants and a variety of shops and arts and crafts the village offers a warm welcome to visitors all year round bordered by the spectacular chaos of pink granite and its natural harbor with 400 berths add a maritime dimension to its charm what makes Ploumanac’h truly unique is its exceptional rock formation captivate with their monumental size and diversity of form is the result of a unique combination of three minerals: mica This unique characteristic makes the pink granite of Ploumanac’h a rarity that’s worth a detour in itself Ploumanac’h stands as a geological and cultural landmark offering visitors an unforgettable experience in the heart of unspoilt Brittany Its pink granite is a natural treasure that the village cherishes and shares with the world Read also: These 5 charming villages are among the French people’s favourites World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week 2025."> World Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz deemed 'absurd' in San Francisco World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'It is pointless to imagine a significant wave of American academics leaving' Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Opinion Subscribers only 'The trade war creates new opportunities for Europeans and France' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris GalleryPower cuts and road closures continued in western France on Thursday morning after Storm Ciaran brought a night of extreme wind and rain 1.2 million homes were left without electricity in western France on Thursday after Storm Ciaran had raged throughout the night Windspeeds reached record-breaking levels of more than 190 km/h in a number of different locations in Brittany three north-western départements were gradually placed on red wind alert: Finistère at midnight All high-level red alerts were lifted mid-morning on Thursday Numerous fallen trees led to the temporary closure of some major roads traffic was banned from the entire Finistère road network on Thursday morning as the storm had caused "a large number of trees branches and power and telephone lines to fall to the ground" The ban concerned "the entire road network" A total of 31 departments have been placed on orange alert for "wave-submergence" "wind" or "rain-flooding." Paris is among the new locations placed on orange alert Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial tFollow me on Twitter @mbytimeinc gFollow us on Google+ Colin Le Conte and David Corson enjoy a magical trip from Guernsey to Western Brittany and its famous pink granite rocks Given that my father was a fisherman in Guernsey for years including during the German occupation in World War II it’s no surprise that I grew up fascinated by boats he designed and built his own boat and I would often accompany him on his fishing trips In fact most of my childhood was spent exploring the tidal waters around the islands Having developed a taste for the sea, as soon as I was old enough I bought a boat of my own; first a 21ft Coronet, followed by a Princess 266 and then a Windy Grand Mistral 37 before becoming the proud owner of a 2016 Princess V39 To help others experience the same joy I get from exploring further afield in my own boat I spent eight years organising cruises in company for the Guernsey Yacht Club Motor division and I still take great pride in seeing so many people who did their first long trip on one of our cruises These days I tend to go cruising with my great friend and fellow Princess owner David Corson We first met at the Guernsey International Powerboat Week way back in the 1980s He was the organising secretary and I was helping with the computerised timing system We must have done a half decent job of it as David went on to become chairman of the RYA’s Offshore Powerboat Racing committee while I took on the role of the UIM’s Chief Timekeeper for the Class 1 World Offshore Championships for the next 14 years These days we have both slowed down a bit, progressed to more comfortable cruising craft (David’s current steed is a Princess V42 mkII) and enjoy taking our time exploring the many beautiful cruising grounds within reach of the Channel Islands David’s Princess V42 making swift progress Accompanied by our wives, Linda and Debra, we have spent many happy seasons hopping between the islands and the adjacent French coast. I have even set up a website (www.digimap.gg) to help share our knowledge of the area Having already visited both Northern and Southern Brittany as well as lower Normandy in previous years for the 2019 season we decided to go to the Rade de Brest An area we had passed on our way to Southern Brittany in 2017 but not somewhere we had explored in any detail it is a whole cruising ground in its own right and has a number of interesting marinas and rivers There is good reason this is the home of the French navy with such a vast sheltered area of sea starting with a long run direct from Guernsey to L’Aber Wrac’h and then a second The agreed route for our Brittany boating adventure We left a couple of days early as we were keen to take advantage of the best weather We had a good trip to L’Aber Wrac’h in F2 to F3 from the NW travelling at around 32 knots with the benefit of a little tide and completed the leg in close to 3½ hours We arrived at low water and took the decision to use the Libenter Passage which is a bit further but a lot safer and easier to navigate non-tidal marina and has the great benefit of being some 25 to 30nm further west than Roscoff making it easier to judge the timing right for going around the corner to the Chenal du Four We moored on the inside of the breakwater to avoid being disturbed by passing fishing boats which never seem to slow down to reduce their wakes The approach into L’Aber Wrac’h and the start of our Brittany boating adventure We timed the Chenal du Four to reach it at high water slack resulting in very little tidal flow and good sea conditions with no swell The first marina you reach has plenty of visitors’ spaces due to the number of boats that stay for a night or two on their long journeys north or south It’s an interesting 10 to 15min walk into town past the old church and the Vauban Tower – a UNESCO heritage site It was built to look out for enemy vessels in the narrow Goulet de Brest passage and is well worth a visit One of many spectacular walks along the unspoilt Brittany coastline the Notic marina can take around seven visitors’ boats alongside and a similar number on fingers with limited draught The facilities are quite basic but it is conveniently located Camaret is a little run down but it grows on you and there are some nice walks around the headland Further around the headland you reach the Manoir de Coecilian an old derelict house where the poet Saint Pol Roux lived and you can also pay a visit to the fascinating Alignements Megalithiques de Lagatair druid stones Intriguing stone sculptures on the Camaret shoreline We left at 10:00hrs for the short and sheltered trip through the Goulet de Brest to the furthest and oldest Brest marina called Moulin Blanc We followed an easy and well-dredged channel and were met by a helpful staff member who guided us to our places The marina facilities are good and they even provide a welcome pack a world-class aquarium that was well worth our visit The city of Brest is a 20-minute bus ride away a nice cathedral and some interesting places to visit We also had a good look around the new Chateau marina set between the naval base and the large commercial area It is rather separate from the town and a 20-minute walk to the train station We decided to remain in Moulin Blanc and hire a car to explore the area We had seen the lighthouse and the ruined abbey from the sea when travelling through the Chenal du Four but it was even more interesting on land Just a couple of miles away there is also an excellent new WWII museum set in German watchhouse bunkers where everything is in both French and English We had always planned to visit Quimper while in the Brest area after getting within a mile of it on a previous trip up the Odet river in 2017 but being thwarted by the lack of anywhere safe to leave our boat for the day So this time we took the opportunity to drive there instead and include a recce of Guilly Glaz lock Port-Launay and Chateaulin on the River Aulne We also visited the picturesque town of Locronan reputed to be one of the prettiest villages in Brittany The Aulne’s Pont de Térenez has won several design accolades Quimper is a lovely old town with the river running directly through the heart of it meaning it has managed to retain much of its original architecture Our visit was planned to coincide with the “Grand Marche” Wednesday market which during the months of July and August is known for attracting more than 100 stalls during our visit in May there were only four stalls in attendance selling their wares We had planned a leisurely cruise up the River Aulne with an overnight stop in Port-Launay but the timing for our return would have meant us exiting the River Aulne at 16:00 with nasty wind-against-tide conditions predicted in the Chenal du Four and some 80nm to go We decided to treat the passage with respect and took a day trip up the Aulne instead We left Brest marina around 2.5 hours before high water to give us enough time to cover the 11nm to the mouth of the River and get to the bridge around 2 hours before HW Weaving around the tight bends we suddenly came across the old derelict fleet of warships lurking in the shadows like ghost ships of a bygone age – impressive but creepy Derelict warships stand as an eerie memorial to past conflict which recently won an award for the most beautiful concrete bridge we called the Guily Glaz lock-keeper (02.98.86.03.21) and informed him of our expected arrival time He only operates 2 hours either side of HW At Mean Spring Neap tides you should have 2.5m draught all the way to the lock provided you stick to the deepest part of the river Be careful not to move across the river to the lock until you are quite close though or you may go aground Above the lock is the pretty town of Port-Launay there is supposed to be a pontoon for visitors but it was in a poor state and could only take two boats On the way back down the river we were greeted by a yacht race which was quite a sight to behold We returned to Moulin Blanc marina and refuelled ready for the return trip to Guernsey have been boating together since the 1980s We left Moulin Blanc marina first thing in the morning at around low water There was a fog hovering a few feet above us which lowered and thickened before lifting as we headed out to sea We travelled most of the way up the Chenal du Four in great conditions A light F3 breeze and gentle 1.5-knot tide sped us on our way and meant the conditions were good enough to visit L’aber Ildut an interesting port which has a handful of visitor pontoons rarely mentioned in cruising guides to the area pretty and a hive of activity – we enjoyed watching seaweed being passed from fully laden boats to awaiting trucks No wonder it is known as the seaweed capital of Brittany took lots of photos and carried on with our journey timing it perfectly for the Ile de Batz inside passage at around half tide We had always wanted to go through the inside of the island passage as it is shorter more scenic and avoids the meeting of tides in the outside passage The walkway to board the ferry from Roscoff to Ile de Batz A long following swell of around 2m high at 14-second intervals made life interesting as we surfed down the troughs but thankfully it was with us rather than against us This meant we could maintain a cruising speed of 28 knots around 10 knots faster than the estimated speed of the waves There is no way we could have maintained that kind of pace if we were driving into a swell of that size and speed we headed for the inlet of Ploumanac’h – another port on our bucket list We had no intention of staying overnight on the fore and aft moorings The ferries thought the same and we had one follow us in and met another near the exit The inlet of Ploumanac’h was another pretty stop on the list of Brittany boating must-sees We went around to Perros Guirec and arrived 20 minutes after the gate opened The tide can rush in through the gate until the wall is covered The gate at Perros Guirec is only 5.8m wide and feels narrower as you approach the entrance The pontoons are named and the visitors’ pontoon is the second from the right Squeezing through the tidal gate at Perros Guirec We walked up the hill to the main town and explored the area a small church and a pretty beach on the other side of town Sadly this was the only day the shops were open as almost all of them close on Sunday and Monday we passed a smaller beach and a dramatic headland with good views of the Ile Tome we took a taxi to the main beach (about €18) and caught the ferry to the Sept Isles The extraordinary beachside chateau at Ploumanac’h The skipper was extremely skilled and went very close to the rocks to get a better view of the gannets They will take you into Ploumanac’h too if the tide is high enough In the summer they also run ferries to the Îsle-de-Bréhats The following day we enjoyed a beautiful hour-long walk along the coast to Ploumanac’h on a largely flat path with amazing views of the pink granite rocks worn smooth and often left delicately balanced by erosion from the elements Gannets shroud a rocky headland in the Sept Isles The forecast was for the wind to increase the following morning before Storm Miguel came whistling through a few days later with F8 to F9 gusts so we decided to call an end to our Brittany boating adventure and head for home We left at 09:00 French time to allow enough time to get back to Guernsey before the QEII marina closed With a 1.5m following swell we made good at 29 knots and within two hours we were safely tucked up in Guernsey at the end of another fascinating Brittany boating adventure Colin’s Princess V39 relishes the calm Brittany boating conditions off Roscoff *N.B. All marina fees are for a 12m boat in 2019 prices. For more information on the marinas, visit: http://marinas.digimap.gg ‘Brittany boating guide: Princess owners explore France’s rugged coast’ was first published in the February 2021 issue of Motor Boat & Yachting Vidya Amalia Rimayanti TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traveling to a revered destination like France has sometimes lost its sense of peace beneath the roaring crowds of Paris and Marseiles these stunning small towns in France are absolutely spellbinding a host of French countryside towns hit differently in the best way possible.  and Perros-Guirec are only some of the most fascinating small towns in France hailed for their breathtaking landscapes Other praiseworthy regions according to Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure also include:  Cassis is one of the most graceful small towns in France as the beauty speaks for itself Though it’s often overshadowed by a nearby superstar neighboring town the fishing village never fails to capture the hearts of its beholders exchanging rowdy throngs in popular tourist hubs with limestone cliffs and rugged seascapes are always preferable.  Gordes catches the scenic wonders of France in a whole different perspective Sprawling across its tiny size are endless stretches of lavender fields It’s unsurprising that many honored artists including Victor Vasarely Pol Mara have long claimed Gordes as their playground.  Gordes is alive and thriving with various cultural events held at its museums From artistic exhibitions and vibrant festivals every corner of Gordes is a memory to hold onto.  Perros-Guirec tells the essence of an idyllic seashore-resort like no other with its striking pink hued granite belongings It’s a cherished place for beachgoers and vacationers alike given the vast expanse of powdery sands under the feet and many cafes around the Sept-Îles National Nature Reserves is accessible by a short distance creating wider holiday opportunities for birders.  Upholding a bright reputation as a popular member of the most beautiful villages of France Vogüé has earned recognition from seasoned travelers This pretty small town is everything that you might have dreamed of at least once – think of a romantic medieval castle Be ready to get overwhelmed with spectacular views at every corner a small church perched on the rock promising magical scenery of the castle.  Roussillon has all it takes to be hailed as one of the prettiest small towns in French The unique village is quite literally brimming in ochre colors across its housing area and communal space With the addition of green pine trees and blue sky on the side the town’s color palette seems like it comes out of an acclaimed painting.   least touristy part of France situated in the Alpes-Maritimes Peillon feels more like a hidden sanctuary than a tourist hotspot the village offers little in the way of commercial bustle Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is often cited as one of the most stunning small towns in France for a variety of factors It has a highly regarded community of ceramics and pottery tradition-turned tourism coupled with architectural wonders of old village walls the pastel-colored town also boasts extensive accommodation and lodges.  Revel truly knows how to carry the title of the remarkable small town in France for its awe-inspiring Saturday market Standing tall for over 600 years in operation this market offers numerous products including vegetables and vintage pieces from more than 200 sellers Basking in the medieval views feels easy here with remnants of centuries old stone buildings Bergeim deserves a place of its own on the list having been awarded as the country’s most favorite village in 2022 it’s unsurprising that a visit to this medieval town is synonymous to stepping back in time the town is making a consistent effort in welcoming more tourists promising walkable streets and friendly locals.  Hunspach was recognized as one the most beautiful villages in the nation Hunspach is heavy with a seamless blend of French-German characters From its sumptuous delicacies and distinctive dialects, to rare German-induced street names Hunspach carries an exclusive identity.  In a country often associated with iconic landmarks and bustling metropolises, these hidden small towns in France prove that the country’s true magic lies in its quiet corners. So next time you dream of France, think beyond the Eiffel Tower. If you feel more at home in a quaint secluded village, consider also a trip to these beach towns in Italy. Conde Nast Traveler | Travel & Leisure Editor's Choice: Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the World, Is Yours Included? Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News What Are the Cheapest Businesses to Start from Home? Here Are the Top 10 Hollywood Shaken as Trump Orders 100% Tariff on All Foreign-Made Films Where to Go in May? 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Indonesia and Japan Deepen Strategic Alliance in Clean Energy and Infrastructure Top 10 Highest-Paying Majors Worth Pursuing in 2025 Six Dead, Dozens Injured in India's Goa Religious Festival Stampede Nature created the world's finest adventure playground stuck it on to the north-west corner of France In equal parts familiar and pleasingly alien it has all the vital ingredients for the sort of holiday that children will remember although with more coastline (a whopping 2,800km compared with Cornwall's 480km) to explore Brittany is so strong in cultural identity that locals often consider it a country in its own right A two-hour trip including the island and Pink Granite Coast costs from €17 adult A highlight is the new Zooparc de Trégomeur (00 33 2 96 79 01 07; zoo-tregomeur.com; €13.70 adult €9.70 child) with animals and plants from Asia and Madagascar The wild coast around Cap Fréhal is a must-see, not least for the jaw-dropping sight of Fort La Latte (00 33 2 96 41 57 11; castlelalatte.com To the east of Côtes d'Armor is the medieval town of Dinan, near the Rance Estuary. This history lesson has an impressive rampart walk and a tourist train (00 33 2 99 88 47 07; ttdf.com; €5 adult Otherwise known as "Haute Bretagne" (High Brittany) Ille-et-Vilaine may have the smallest coastline of all four départements but it packs a punch with the mighty bay of Mont St-Michel and the ancient ramparts of St-Malo which greets Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth Further inland there is much for families, from the animals at the Desert Goat Farm (00 33 2 99 58 92 14; €6.50 adult, €5.50 child) near Dol-de-Bretagne to the theme-park rides at Cobac Parc (00 33 2 99 73 80 16; cobac-parc.com; €16 adult Morbihan also has the celebrated standing stones at Carnac home to the most extensive Neolithic remains in Europe and are free To bring the period alive, visit the Museum of Prehistory (00 33 2 97 52 22 04; museedecarnac.com; €5 adult; €2.50 child) in Carnac Village which offers school holiday workshops for six- to 12-year-olds on life in Neolithic times Besides the Brittany Ferries crossings (fares start from £238 for a family of four and a car, rising to £579 in August), the region is accessible by road from all the other Channel ports. Or, fly from East Midlands or Stansted to Dinard with Ryanair (0871 246 0000; ryanair.com) . Flybe (0871 700 2000; flybe.com) flies to Rennes from Exeter Manchester and Southampton; and to Brest from Birmingham Jane Anderson is the author of the Footprint guide to Brittany with Kids (£13.99). Independent readers can claim 25 per cent off any of the Footprint Travel with Kids series at footprinttravelguides.com by entering IND7 in the coupon code at checkout You need not venture far from the ferry to find a crowd-pleaser: the Grand Plage at Dinard is a fine go west to the Baie des Trépassés on the Atlantic Finistère coast It's a good place for beachcombing as the tide brings a varied bounty to this unusually deep bay It's also a great surf beach and there's a lifeguard in summer Check out Sensation Bretagne (00 33 2 97 53 67 64; sensation-bretagne.com) have all sorts of free events for families such as beach clubs Brittany has 840km of Voies Vertes ("Green Ways") – paths that follow routes of old railways, towpaths and forest trails. Breton Bikes (00 33 2 96 24 86 72; bretonbikes.com) can arrange child-friendly cycling routes and pre-booked campsites along the way Camping costs from £195 per week for an adult and from £190 a week for a child Gîte or hotel-based tours are also available Vast swathes of netting are strung among mighty Californian Golden Jubilee pines allowing visitors to scramble and bounce around this woody wonderland which look like big balloons snagged in the branches are waterproof spherical tents designed by Chien Noir They wouldn't look out of place in a design hotel with a large round mattress filling the 3m diameter Each nest is large enough for two adults and two small children Nests cost €69 for two people; breakfast is €8 per person Océanopolis (00 33 2 98 34 40 40; oceanopolis.com; €16.50 adult is one of the region's best-loved attractions and is on a scale more in keeping with a holiday in Florida than rural France the emphasis is on education as much as spectacle with four ocean pavilions covering Temperate The Eric Tarbarly Sailing Museum (00 33 2 97 65 56 56; citevoile-tabarly.com; €11 adult de-mystifies the world of sailing with inventive interactive features such as a trimaran simulator Inspired by the French yachtsman Eric Tabarly (1931-1998) it's the closest you will ever come to sailing on dry land It can be found at Base des Sous-Marins de Kéroman kids can meet the Black Widow spider that bit Spider-Man By far the cheapest family option is camping. There are plenty of good options, including Camping des Menhirs (00 33 2 97 52 94 67; lesmenhirs.com) which is just a short stroll from the standing stones of Carnac and its beach resort Camping des Menhirs is one of 12 sites across Brittany used by Keycamp (0844 406 0319; keycamp.co.uk) which also offers mobile homes with kitchen Keycamp offers seven nights starting on 18 August for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Villagrand mobile home at Les Deux Fontaines from £992 This campsite is near the white sands of Plage Tahiti For a more traditional gîte, Kervec Farmhouse (01425 650511; mybrittanyholidayhouse.com) a kitchen with stone open fire and utility room Rental of the farmhouse costs from £800 per week; the Old Dairy costs from £450 per week Hotel des deux Mers (00 33 2 97 52 33 75; hotel-des-deux-mers.com) is a family hotel with oodles of local character set between two coastlines on the Quiberon Peninsula and there are interconnecting rooms for families diving and fishing are all on the doorstep For a true one-off, check out Auberge des VoyaJoueurs (00 33 2 97 93 22 18; auberge-des-voyajoueurs.com). This new hotel south of Broceliande has a board-game theme, with 400 games, including a giant Connect 4. Doubles from €69 per night, room only. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies