Sainte-Marine (Sant-Voran) is a small town belonging to Combrit. It is located at the beginning of the Odet river ria ("aber" in Breton). The town was once a trading then a military seaport. It is nowadays a seaside station and a small marina. During the summer, Bénodet can be reached via a small ferry boat for pedestrians or by the bridge at any season.

Quick history

Combrit seems to come from the old french word "combre", meaning "confluent". Combrit was probably created in the 6th century and was totally part of the parish of Pont l'Abbé. During the French Revolution, Combrit was separated from Lambour which became part of Pont l'Abbé and then from Ile Tudy in 1826 which became independant. Combrit is one of the six towns which steeple was cut off in the 17th century by Louis 14th. The steeple was only built again a century later. The architect who rebuilt the steeple was Mr Bigot. Some say that the word "bigouden" comes from his name.

One man particularly left his mark on the town : the philanthropist artist Jacques de Thézac. He came to Combrit - Sainte-Marine in 1888 and very quickly became conscious of the hardness and difficulties of the fishermen lives. That's why he founded the "Abri du Marin" ("Fishermen' Shelter") in Sainte-Marine in 1910, among the 14 others he managed to build in other breton seaports. The entire network is known as the Oeuvre des Abris du Marin (Fishermen' Shelters Piece of Work). Those meeting places used to provide education, reading lessons, lectures, cultural development, libraries and led an active struggle against alcoholism. The Fishermen' Shelter of Sainte-Marine has now been restored and has become a museum in tribute to Jacques de Thézac, also showing temporary exhibitions about fishing.

To be seen

• The Fort de Sainte-Marine ou Fort Vauban. It was built under Napoleon 3rd in 1862 as a defensive post. It is now a place of contemporary artists exhibitions.
• The Phare de Sainte-Marine "The Sainte-Marine Lighthouse" or Feu de Combrit. It is located next to the Fort and was built in 1885 to draw a north line with the lighthouse of Bénodet. It is side by side with the house of the lighthouse keeper. A walking path idea : leaving from the beach or from the lighthouse, you can walk downtown along the seaside. The walking path offers a beautiful view on Bénodet and crosses a beautiful small beach.
• On the road from Sainte-Marine to Pont l'Abbé stands the "Parc Botanique de Cornouaille" where 3500 species of plants are growing on a 4 acre park. Calm, smells, magnificient landscapes and a trip around the world guaranteed !

Also

The Saint-Tugdual church, the Sainte-Marine chapel, the Notre-Dame-de-la-Clarté chapel, the 2 meters high standing stone of Le Treustel and the laying stele of Le Leoc.  

INFORMATION POINT
Place Grafenhausen
29120 COMBRIT
02 98 56 48 41