Riantec - From Sainte-Radegonde to Kerner Island

Neo-gothic in style, the church of Sainte Radegonde was built in the 11th century. In 1917, it caught fire. It was rebuilt in 1927 in its present form. It is original in the material partly used for its reconstruction: reinforced concrete.

Riantec has not always looked as it does now. In the past, the sea came in far beyond today’s line, up to the village of Kerbrenne, which today corresponds to the rue du lavoir. The original bridge consisted of two fixed sections, connected to each other by planks that were raised when the tuna and sardine boats came to moor, on the inside, sheltered from the winter gales.

The island is connected to the mainland by a dike built in the early 1920s. Called the Pont d'Istr [ diche ](the oyster bridge in Breton), it was used to transport equipment to the oyster park.

The small sea of Gâvres is an inland sea of great ornithological interest, in connection with the harbor of Lorient. It is separated from the ocean by a tombolo that is part of the great dune cordon that connects Gâvres to Quiberon.  Recognized as a major ornithological site in Brittany, the small sea is covered by multiple protective devices including the Natura 2000 label.  Part of the site is also integrated into the perimeter of the Grand Site «Dunes sauvages de Gâvres à Quiberon». This natural heritage is to be discovered during the activities offered by Lorient Agglomération at the Maison de l'île de Kerner.  The small sea of Gâvres is also a traditional fishing area on foot for clams and cockles.

The marshes or salt meadows have 2 parts: a low part submerged at each tide, called the mudflat, and a high part, called the salt marsh, submerged depending on tidal coefficients. The mudflat has great biological diversity and breeding areas. It provides a nursery and feeding areas for the birds. It comprises mainly dwarf eelgrass which covers the sandy mud forming vast meadows or seagrass beds. Other remarkable species you may encounter are sea purslane, samphire, sea lavender or sea aster.

The small sea of Gâvres is a space rich in plant and animal species. It is a land of birds. Every winter, thousands of them come here to refuel before returning to their nesting sites. More than 50 species of birds can be observed between October and March, coming from Northern Europe to seek food and rest. Every year more than 3,000 Brent Geese, small black and white geese, come to graze on the dwarf eelgrass beds.Everyone has a role to play in preserving this natural area: walk your dog on a leash and pick up after it, avoiding getting too close to birds on foot or during sporting activities such as kayaking or kite surfing, etc. Stay on the paths and respect the parking areas.

The first oyster farm on Kerner Island was created in 1905. It was a shellfish farm, for which the few buildings on the island (house and workshop) were built. In fact, its location created some clashes between the population and the owner of the park…In the 1990s, the house was converted into a museum on the theme of life in the small sea and its ecosystem. Open to the public, you can visit free of charge and discover the history of the island and the natural spaces that surround you.

Life on the island is governed by the rhythm of the tides. The landscape changes throughout the day and according to the seasons. Natural environments, and the associated wildlife, offer a different atmosphere on the same day or according to the seasons.