This major port on France's Bay of Biscay is a center of seafood processing and the birthplace of oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Located where the Scorff and Blavet rivers meet.
Lorient sits on the southern coast of Brittany, where fishing trawlers bring in fresh catch daily and submarines once sheltered during WWII. You can walk through the narrow corridors of the Flore submarine, learn to navigate using modern equipment at the Cité de la Voile, or catch a morning ferry to Groix island. In August, the Festival Interceltique fills the streets with 800,000 visitors watching performances of bagpipes, Celtic harps, and traditional dances from Ireland to Galicia.
The Five Ports of Lorient
Each of Lorient's ports serves a distinct purpose. At Keroman fishing port, 130 vessels unload 27,000 tons of fish yearly, making it France's second-largest fishing hub. The Kergroise cargo port moves 2.6 million tons of goods annually as Brittany's primary commercial port. From the passenger port, you can board regular ferries to Groix and Belle-Île-en-Mer islands, joining 457,500 yearly passengers. Private yachts dock at the marina, while naval vessels use the military port.
Exploring the Submarine Base
The thick concrete walls of the former German submarine base now contain exhibition spaces and museums. Inside the Flore submarine museum, you can explore a real Daphné-class submarine, squeeze through tight corridors, and see where crews lived during long missions. The base complex includes the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly, where you can practice navigation on sailing simulators and learn about modern ocean crossing through interactive displays. You'll also find temporary art exhibitions and several waterfront restaurants.
Markets and Local Food
The Halles de Merville covered market opens from 8 AM to 1 PM Tuesday through Sunday, plus Friday evenings from 4 PM to 7 PM. Local fishmongers display the morning's catch alongside stalls selling Breton butter cookies and salted caramel. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 AM to 1 PM, additional vendors set up along the streets, selling Atlantic seafood, regional cheeses, and warm kouign-amann pastries straight from the oven.
Getting Around
TGV trains connect Lorient to Paris in 2 hours and 45 minutes, with frequent connections to Quimper, Nantes, and Rennes. Local buses run throughout the city and nearby towns. Water shuttles (Batobus) link different ports, and their tickets are valid on regular bus lines. You can rent bikes near the train station to cycle along waterfront paths and through the city center.
