heritage are best appreciated in a barge, a slender, flat-bottomed craft steered using a pole. The points of interest are: The Brière Nature Park The specific habitat: the thatched cottages (about 3,000), especially those in the village of Kerhinet, in Saint-Lyphard Tours by barge, horse-drawn carriage, or by walking Birdwatching The sea The bay du Pouliguen is one of the star attractions of the area. One of France’s leading large seaside resorts, this bay is also sometimes considered as the most beautiful European beach. The main beach is split between three cities: La Baule, Pornichet and Le Pouliguen. Beaches of Batz-sur-Mer, La Turballe, Mesquer and Pénestin The fishing ports of Le Croisic and La Turballe Other points of interest The medieval centre of Guérande (and its city walls) Le Croisic, Piriac-sur-Mer, La Roche-Bernard: labelled as “petites cités de caractère” (small towns of character) La Baule and its villas Gastronomy Guérande’s fleur de sel Salicornia and seafood Salted caramel candy Creperies, and other traditional food Saveurs d’octobre (October flavours), a food festival each year in October See also Guérande La Baule-Escoublac Brière Communes of the Loire-Atlantique department Communes of the Morbihan department References External links Official site of La Baule – Presqu’île de Guérande (in English) A article on Guérande fleur de sel (in English) Official site of Brière Nature Park (in English) Morbihan