The Ria d’Etal is a maritime gulf fed by several rivers. With the picturesque Saint-Cado island, it forms one of the most beautiful sites in the region. Between Lorient and Vannes, the oyster farms, peninsulas and marshes in this inland sea present a beautiful picture postcard.
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Discover Saint‑Cado and Ria d’Etel
A river valley invaded by the sea, Ria d’Etel forms a sheltered bay dotted with little islands. At the mouth, the “barre d’Etel”, a shifting sand bank, closes the bay. If you stop in the region, you’ll be enchanted by the variety of the landscapes. Marshes, oyster farms, dunes, wild beaches, charming coves where colourful boats moor… The view changes constantly with the light and the tide. You won’t be able to resist.
Mmmm, oysters…
On foot or mountain bike, or even on horseback, discover the incredible fauna and flora of the Ria. You’ll see herons, cormorants, oystercatchers, sandpipers, terns, but also mussels, clams, cockles and periwinkles. Don’t leave without tasting the Etel river oyster, a source of local pride.
A delightful hamlet built on an island in the middle of the river, Saint-Cado is connected to land by a bridge, and is a must. You’ll love the adorable fishermen’s houses and the very pretty Romanesque chapel, open every day in season. When the sun sets, the view of this little village is superb.
Did you know
A devilish bridge
Legend says that the bridge connecting Saint-Cado to land is the devil’s work. It is said that the devil demanded the soul of the first creature to cross it. The story relates that Saint-Cado, who was a shrewd fellow, put a cat on it!
Folklore and bagpipes
Once the leading tuna port on the Atlantic coast, the village of Etel remembers its glorious past each summer to the sound of bagpipes and cannons during the tuna festival. Don’t miss it.
