Morbihan

Morbihan is a department on the Atlantic coast of Brittany, where wooded hills meet sandy beaches and rocky headlands. The region extends from the open sea to the sheltered waters of the Gulf of Morbihan, a shallow inland bay dotted with small islands.

The department was created in 1790 during the French Revolution when the old provincial system was replaced by a new administrative structure. Its name comes from Breton and means little sea, referring to the gulf at the center of the territory.

The region maintains strong ties to Celtic heritage through the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, which brings together musicians and dancers from Celtic nations.

The coastal areas are busy in summer while the inland countryside remains quieter year-round. Paths along the shoreline and through the woods are mostly flat and easy to walk.

The Gulf of Morbihan contains more than 40 small islands, some only a few meters wide and accessible on foot at low tide. The tidal range here is among the strongest in Europe, with water levels changing by several meters within a few hours.

Location: Brittany

Inception: March 4, 1790

Capital city: Vannes

Part of: Brittany

Shares border with: Finistère, Loire-Atlantique, Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes-d'Armor

Website: http://morbihan.fr

GPS coordinates: 47.83333,-2.83333

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03