Inspiration
Summer Escapes: their favorite spots
Inspiration
A summer day in Brittany with Élodie Dumas and Augustin Decaux
After welcoming us into their home set between the Aven and the Bélon rivers, Élodie Dumas and Augustin Decaux invite us to discover their intimate Brittany: one of wild paths, oyster-farming ports, and beloved addresses shared among locals. For this new episode of Summer Escapes, the founders of Wunder Architectes share the places close to their hearts, the ones that shape their summers with family: a beach they return to every year, a walk filled with memories, a waterside table, or a flea market where they hunt for hidden treasures. A journey between Pont-Aven and the Bélon, discovering a Finistère that is sensitive, authentic, and deeply connected to its landscape.
Location
Bretagne
Author
Anne-Laure Griveau
Photos and videos
Jeanne Perrotte, Gautier Billotte
GR 34, the Customs Officers’ Trail
“The GR 34 runs alongside the property. Originally known as the coastal path, or more commonly the Customs Officers’ Trail, these paths along the sea were once used by customs officers to patrol the coastline. My cousins and I used to race down it on our bikes at full speed, without really realizing the danger. When I was little, I would come and sulk on a rock not far from the slipway built by my grandfather, where we would launch our boats. It is a path filled with memories. I feel deeply attached to it: it winds between the trees that dip into the sea, with the unique feeling of being as close as possible to the water.”
— Augustin
Roc’h Mer Vineyard
“We’ve reached the end of a small cove. Above us, there used to be open heathland. Over the past three years, the landscape has changed: vines have been planted here by Lucas Pfister, an Argentinian who settled in Brittany with the desire to explore this unique terroir between land and sea. Inspired by biodynamic practices, the estate is creating organic, ‘oceanic’ white wines. The vineyard is called Roc’h Mer, and it has just produced its very first vintage.”
— Augustin
Château de Bélon’s Oyster Farm and Chez Jacky
“We’re here at the port of Bélon. Our house is located on the Aven, and just across the way is another river: the Bélon. It’s a must-visit spot for oyster lovers, thanks in particular to the oysters from Château de Bélon and the Solminihac family, who have been here for generations, since the 18th century. They have their own oyster beds, and you can enjoy their oysters right by the water, seated at simple tables overlooking the river. Bélon oysters are truly unique: they are flat oysters, recognizable by their round, delicate shape, cultivated in these waters where the river meets the sea. Just behind us, Chez Jacky is a true local institution. You can enjoy every kind of seafood here, in a truly unique setting: the tables are almost set among the oyster beds, between the ponds and the water. This is the true spirit of Bélon: simple, vibrant cuisine, deeply connected to the landscape.”
— Augustin
Port Manec’h Beach
“This is the beach we come to all the time with the children: Port Manec’h Beach, which is just a short distance from Maison Roz, our home. It’s a very family-friendly beach, with its regulars and local families who return here year after year. There is a real sense of tradition, almost like a summer ritual. What I especially love are the little white beach cabins, which have become such an iconic feature of Port Manec’h. They give the place a timeless charm, with the feeling that some things remain unchanged from one generation to the next.” — Élodie
The Riec Flea Market
“The Riec Flea Market is a place we really love. We come here to hunt for ceramics, tableware, and little treasures… You can find many pieces of what is known as Henriot: hand-painted faience made in Quimper, reflecting generations of artisanal craftsmanship. Each piece bears the Henriot Quimper signature, along with markings that help identify its period. There are collections from every era, and older pieces can be particularly valuable. But what I love most is their joyful, colorful, and slightly quirky character — a side of Brittany that feels wonderfully unique.”
— Élodie
Les Trois Buis
“Les Trois Buis is our favorite little restaurant in Pont-Aven. We come here for the cuisine, which celebrates beautiful local and seasonal ingredients, prepared simply to let them shine. The idea is to treat each product with care, enhancing it just enough, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In summer, we especially love the charming little terrace. Inside, there is a very unique atmosphere, almost like an art gallery: the walls are adorned with beautiful artworks that are regularly renewed and available for purchase" — Élodie
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)