GiteInBrittany.com - A perfect Brittany family holiday home in rural France, sleeping up to 6

Mosaic of Brittany holiday pictures
Aquatides swimming centre Loudeac Easter Races Loudeac church Central square, Loudeac La Passion de Loudeac (Easter Passion Play) Water slide in Les Aquatides swimming centre La Fête du Cheval
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Only 8 miles from Les Vallées Gite is the busy market town of Loudeac where there's a wide range of shops, restaurants, banks and several large supermarkets.

For all year round fun whatever the weather the whole family will love Les Aquatides swimming centre where as well as the 25m swimming pool you'll find a 70m long water slide, a lagoon of bubbles, geysers and fountains, several rivers to swim through as well as a jacuzzi and spa-bath. After all the exertions in the water there's a mezzanine floor cafeteria and spa to relax in.

Another of Loudeac's attractions are horses.
Every year since 1879 a series of five popular Easter race meetings are held from March to May at the Calouët Hippodrome, attracting race goers from all over western France. On the second Sunday in August Loudeac celebrates with La fête Du Cheval (Festival of the Horse) when a procession of over 200 horses, carriages and brass bands march through the streets then congregate at the Kerdervé showground.

Just outside town is the 2,500 hectare Forêt de Loudéac. Originally part of the Brocéliande forest which stretched across Brittany, the national forest offers lots of scope for exploring and leisure activities with 30 miles of way-marked footpaths, protected plants and wildlife. Nearby there's a riding centre, the Maison de la Pêche fishing discovery centre, ponds, campsites, play areas, etc. There's plenty to be discovered on foot, by bike or on horseback!

Also running nearby is L'ancienne voie ferrée, an old unused railway line which runs parallel to the River Lié for several miles past Loudeac. The line originally connected Carhaix to Brohinière and has now been transformed into a very pleasant shaded sunken lane, perfect for strolling, cycling or horse riding along.

For the four Sunday's preceding Easter, Loudeac's Palais des Congrès et de la Culture is transformed into an immense reconstruction of the Holy City of Jerusalem for La Passion de Loudéac. Created by abbot Robin, vicar of Loudeac in 1914, the Passion is a fantastic medieval theatrical reconstruction of the life of Christ and involves over 250 amateur actors in the three hour spectacular performance!

Other useful websites:

Loudeac town's website (in French)
What's on in Loudeac
La Passion de Loudeac
Loudéac Office Municipal Culturel (cultural office) Programme of events
Central Brittany Tourist Information (in French)