Vannes' gare SNCF is 25 minutes' walk north of the town centre. Buses to Auray, Carnac, Quiberon and other destinations leave from the gare routiere alongside. The tourist office is at 1 rue Thiers (July & Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-1pm & 3-7pm; rest of year Mon-Sat 9am-noon & 2-6pm; tel 02.97.47.24.34, www.vannes-bretagne-sud.com ), on the corner of rue du Drezen, near place Gambetta.

In peak season, Vannes can get claustrophobic, but it offers a better choice of hotels than anywhere else around the gulf. The town also has a hostel , 4km southeast of the town centre in Sene (tel 02.97.66.94.25), on bus route #4 from place de la Republique. The nearest campsite is the three-star Camping Conleau at the far end of avenue du Marechal-Juin, beyond the aquarium, and alongside the gulf (tel 02.97.63.13.88; closed Oct-March).

Hotels

Le Bretagne , 36 rue du Mene (tel 02.97.47.20.21, fax 02.97.47.90.78, www.bretagne-hotel.com ). Reasonable hotel situated just outside the walls, around the corner from the Porte-Prison. The rooms aren't fancy, but all have showers or bath plus TV. 160-220F/€24-34.

Ibis Vannes , rue Emile-Jourdan (tel 02.97.63.61.11, fax 02.97.63.21.33; h0650@accor-hotels.com ). Large, comfortable and dependable chain option, with its own restaurant, in a very unexciting setting 2km north of town, just north of the N165. 300-400F/€46-61.

Le Marina , 4 place Gambetta (tel 02.97.47.22.81, fax 02.97.47.00.34). Fourteen pleasantly refurbished rooms, right in the thick of the things by the port, with sea views and bright sun in the morning. There's a bar downstairs. 160-220F/€24-34.

Mascotte , av Jean-Monnet (tel 02.97.47.59.60, fax 02.97.47.07.54). Functional, reasonable-value hotel a short walk northwest of the walled town, with 65 en-suite rooms and an adequate restaurant. 300-400F/€46-61.