"Golfe du Morbihan" redirects here. For the similarly named gulf in the Kerguelen Islands, see Golfe du Morbihan (Kerguelen).
The Gulf of Morbihan is a natural harbour on the coast of the department of Morbihan in southern Brittany, France. Its English name is taken from the French version, le golfe du Morbihan, though it would be more precisely called 'the Morbihan' as its Breton name 'Ar Mor Bihan' means 'the little sea'. (Compare the Welshy môr bychan), as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean outside, (Ar Mor Bras). Legend says that there are as many islands in the Gulf as there are days of the year. In fact the gulf has about 40, depending on the tides. Many islands are private property, except the largest two, Île-aux-Moines and Île-d'Arz.
The area around the gulf features an extraordinary range of megalithic monuments. There are passage dolmens, stepped pyramids with underground dolmen chambers, stone circles, and giant menhirs, among others. The site best known to outsiders is Carnac, where remains of a dozen rows of huge standing stones run for over ten kilometers. The passage grave of Gavrinis, on a small island in the Gulf, is one of the most important such sites in Europe. Some of the ruins have been dated to at least 3300 BC — 200 years older than England's Stonehenge.
The gulf is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the peninsula of Rhuys, but a 1 km long gap between Port-Navalo (in the commune of Arzon) and Kerpenhir (commune of Locmariaquer) lets the water in and out. Because this gap is narrow, the tidal currents are strong and water speeds can reach up to 9.4 knots.
Festivals
Every alternate year a yachting festival is held, it is known as 'La Semaine du Golfe Du Morbihan' celebrating the Brittany's culture, music and boating and marine traditions. In 2017, 1,450 boats entered the regatta in addition to the hundreds of spectator craft. The highlight of the festival is a 'Big Parade of Sail' in which all the boats are displayed en route from Port Navalo to Vannes.
Discover Brittany and the Gulf of Morbihan during a virtual visit that includes thousands of items of useful information. 2013-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
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gulf, morbihan, golfe, morbihan, redirects, here, similarly, named, gulf, kerguelen, islands, golfe, morbihan, kerguelen, natural, harbour, coast, department, morbihan, southern, brittany, france, english, name, taken, from, french, version, golfe, morbihan, t. Golfe du Morbihan redirects here For the similarly named gulf in the Kerguelen Islands see Golfe du Morbihan Kerguelen The Gulf of Morbihan is a natural harbour on the coast of the department of Morbihan in southern Brittany France Its English name is taken from the French version le golfe du Morbihan though it would be more precisely called the Morbihan as its Breton name Ar Mor Bihan means the little sea Compare the Welsh y mor bychan as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean outside Ar Mor Bras Legend says that there are as many islands in the Gulf as there are days of the year In fact the gulf has about 40 depending on the tides Many islands are private property except the largest two Ile aux Moines and Ile d Arz Gulf of MorbihanGulf of MorbihanLocationBay of BiscayCoordinatesCoordinates 47 36 N 2 48 W 47 600 N 2 800 W 47 600 2 800Ocean sea sourcesAtlantic OceanBasin countriesFranceMax length20 km 12 mi Max width15 km 9 3 mi Surface area115 km2 44 sq mi Average depth23 km 14 mi Map Port of Ile aux Moines Pink house near Vannes The area around the gulf features an extraordinary range of megalithic monuments There are passage dolmens stepped pyramids with underground dolmen chambers stone circles and giant menhirs among others The site best known to outsiders is Carnac where remains of a dozen rows of huge standing stones run for over ten kilometers The passage grave of Gavrinis on a small island in the Gulf is one of the most important such sites in Europe Some of the ruins have been dated to at least 3300 BC 200 years older than England s Stonehenge Contents 1 Geography 1 1 Tides and currents 2 Festivals 3 Communes 4 External linksGeography EditTides and currents Edit The gulf is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the peninsula of Rhuys but a 1 km long gap between Port Navalo in the commune of Arzon and Kerpenhir commune of Locmariaquer lets the water in and out Because this gap is narrow the tidal currents are strong and water speeds can reach up to 9 4 knots Festivals EditEvery alternate year a yachting festival is held it is known as La Semaine du Golfe Du Morbihan celebrating the Brittany s culture music and boating and marine traditions In 2017 1 450 boats entered the regatta in addition to the hundreds of spectator craft The highlight of the festival is a Big Parade of Sail in which all the boats are displayed en route from Port Navalo to Vannes Communes EditLocmariaquer Auray Plougoumelen Le Bono Baden Larmor Baden Arradon Ile aux Moines Ile d Arz Vannes Sene Theix Noyalo Le Hezo Saint Armel Sarzeau Saint Gildas de Rhuys ArzonExternal links EditGulf of Morbihan photos Discover Brittany and the Gulf of Morbihan during a virtual visit that includes thousands of items of useful information Archived 2013 08 01 at the Wayback Machine This article relating to archaeology in Europe is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gulf of Morbihan amp oldid 1128728382, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
