Immerse yourself in the enchanting charm of La Gacilly, a quaint village in Brittany that’s as rich in natural beauty as it is in cultural heritage and artistic flair.
Tucked away in the northwest of France, in the picturesque department of Morbihan, lies La Gacilly. With its cobblestone streets, flower-laden facades, and enchanting riverside setting, this village of approximately 2,200 residents is a captivating blend of tradition, nature, and art.
La Gacilly’s geographic location places it in the heart of Brittany, a region steeped in Celtic traditions and history. The river Aff, which meanders through the village, adds to the serene atmosphere, offering visitors opportunities for leisurely walks or boat trips. The surrounding green landscapes are an invitation to nature enthusiasts to explore further afield.
Originally a center for artisan crafts, La Gacilly owes its modern identity to two main influences. The first is the globally-renowned brand, Yves Rocher, which was founded here and continues to maintain its eco-spa, botanical garden, and factory in the village. The second is the passion for photography, which culminates each year in the internationally acclaimed La Gacilly Photo Festival.
The Yves Rocher headquarters is not just a place of business, but a destination in its own right. Visitors can tour the Eco-Hotel Spa Yves Rocher, a uniquely designed eco-friendly spa that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape.
The Yves Rocher Restaurant ‘Le Vegetarium’ is well known for its exquisite vegetarian dishes and it’s well worth stopping for a meal on their terrace overlooking the river.
Nearby, the Yves Rocher Botanical Garden is a paradise for plant lovers, boasting over 1,000 plant species, offering a journey through biodiversity and the importance of preserving it.
The village’s commitment to art is prominently showcased through the annual La Gacilly Photo Festival. Running from June through September, this festival transforms the village into an open-air gallery featuring large-format photographs that focus on environmental and social issues.
It has grown to become one of the largest and most respected photojournalism festivals in Europe, attracting photographers and art enthusiasts from around the globe. An added bonus is that it is free of charge.
La Gacilly’s architecture is as charming as its cultural offerings. The traditional stone houses adorned with colourful flowers, narrow winding streets, and artisan workshops, transport visitors to a time long past. The village is also home to a thriving community of artisans, including painters, potters, and jewelers, whose shops and studios can be explored during your visit.
Traditional Breton gastronomy is another facet of La Gacilly’s allure. The village and its surroundings are dotted with restaurants and cafés offering delicious local cuisine, often prepared with organic produce from nearby farms.
La Gacilly’s history, while not as dramatic as some other locales, is a testament to sustainable growth and environmental consciousness. From its roots as a modest artisan community to its evolution into the home of a global beauty brand and an internationally recognized art festival, La Gacilly has maintained a delicate balance between progress and preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
Getting There:
Reaching La Gacilly is an easy and scenic journey. If you’re flying in, the nearest airports are Rennes Bretagne Airport and Nantes Atlantique Airport, both of which are approximately an hour and a half away by car.
Train connections are also available from both Rennes and Nantes to Redon, a nearby town, from where you can take a short taxi ride to La Gacilly.
For those preferring to drive, La Gacilly is 60 kilometers from Rennes, the capital of the Brittany region, which takes about an hour by car. The city of Nantes is slightly farther away, roughly 85 kilometers to the southeast, which translates to a drive of about an hour and a half.
