Brittany in northwest France, is a perfect mix of coast and country. There are endless sandy beaches, dramatic coastline, secluded coves, fishing villages, seaside resorts and islands galore. Head inland to discover gorgeous little villages, historic towns, medieval citadels, wonderful street markets, chateaux and vineyards – find out more in the ultimate guide to Brittany.
Discover traditional Breton culture in cities like Saint-Malo and Rennes, explore stunning towns like Dinan with its hilly cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings. Be wowed by the standing stones at Carnac, the Stonehenge of France, take a boat trip round the Pink Granite coast and surf the waves at Plomeur. Brittany is famous for its crêpes but there’s much more to tickle your taste buds. Relish succulent oysters from Cancale and sweet crunchy kouign-amann,washed down with a bowl of sparkling cider
The ultimate guide to Brittany – must sees
Its 2,700 kilometres (1,677 miles) of coastline dotted with fine sandy beaches, cliffs and secluded islands are a perfect reason to visit. But Brittany also has glorious countryside and numerous historic cities.
Generally warm dry summers make Brittany popular with holiday makers, particularly on the south coast. Spring and autumn months are generally mellow though wet weather is normal; and winters sometimes bring frost and snow.
Rennes
The vibrant university city of Rennes, Brittany’s administrative capital, has medieval streets in the Instagram-worthy old town, which boasts 370 timber-framed houses, an eye-popping jumble of coloured facades, geometric beams, and wonky angles that span the Middle Ages to the 18th century. It also has one of the largest Saturday-morning markets in France, held in the Place des Lices, once used for jousting.The 17th century House of Parliament in Brittany is a symbol of the region. Incredibly it’s still active as a law court, and you can take a guided tour.
The Pink Granite Coast
The Pink Granite Coast is famous for its rocky coastline. From Trébeurden to the island of Bréhat the magnificent landscape is filled with thousands of granite blocks shaped by the ocean, adding an almost otherworldly look to the sandy bays and tiny islands. In Ploumanac’h, a charming and historic little town with half-timbered houses, the burned copper hues of the granite landscape is spread over the ocean floor and covers more than 25 hectares. The Bay of Saint-Brieux is perfect for those who seek an active holiday, with wonderful coastal scenery punctuated with cliffs and sand dunes, seaside resorts and fishing ports. At low tide, the sea retreats more than 7 kilometres (4 miles), to create a fabulous playground for fishing enthusiasts.
High tides at Saint-Malo
Swashbuckling adventure, romantic walks, and delicious Breton fare. With its imposing ramparts and towering waterside properties, few ports pack quite such a picturesque punch as Saint-Malo on Brittany’s north coast. Today the marina is packed with gleaming pleasure craft, but in centuries past, dozens of tall ships jostled for space along the crowded quaysides.
Saint-Malo also experiences some of the highest tides in Europe. To see this phenomenon at its best, view the ocean from the top of the city’s 12th century ramparts.
Island hopping
Relax on a sandy beach or head out to sea and go island hopping. Brittany has a string of islands along its 1,700 miles of coastline, all different from each other, but all worth a visit or even a stay. Visit Belle Île where you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a painting from the 19th century, Île-de-Bréhat, the island of flowers, and Île de Sein where you feel as if you might sail off the edge of the world.
The Golfe du Morbihan, from the Breton word for ‘little sea,’ is a tidal basin created 2,000 years ago when the Atlantic Ocean surged into low-lying land through a gap in the coastline. Today, this unique area of saltwater covers 12,000 hectares, its tidal flow reaching inland as far as Auray in the west and the walled city of Vannes at the head of the Gulf.
Classified one of the most beautiful bays in the world, a string of islands float off the coast including the Ile-d’Arz with its wild moors and the Île aux Moines (Monks Island), which is picture-perfect with its traditional fishermen’s houses and flower decked streets featuring colourful camelia bushes. It’s the largest of 15 inhabited islands in a group known as the Ponant Islands scattered between the Channel and the Atlantic.
The forest of Brocéliande
Brittany is a land of legends. In the mysterious forest of Brocéliande, the trees, moors and ponds whisper stories of King Arthur, though there are no signs of ogres or medieval maidens – it is truly magical.
Read more about Brocéliande where the world’s most famous wizard is said to be buried
Enchanting towns
Discover beguiling beaches, enchanting towns, and picture postcard villages that are home to captivating castles.
Discover the mysterious menhirs and Dolmens of Carnac, explore medieval towns like Vannes and Dinan, the ports of Concarneau and pretty as a postcard port of St Goustan. Explore the towns and countryside which inspired painters galore from Monet to Renoir. And, there are more than 300 way-marked hikes all around Brittany plus more than 1200 miles of cycling trails.
Stroll the cobbled streets of Fougères where you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and marvel at the fairy-tale-like Château built on a high rock nearly 900 years ago. In the Côtes d’Armor, you’ll be dazzled by enchanting Château de Bienasses, former home of French Queen, Anne of Brittany, whilst in medieval Josselin the vibrant town is dominated by a castle of towers and turrets.
Not far from the city of Quimper, Pont-Aven is known as for its popularity with painters in the late 19th century who flocked here to capture its beauty, leading to the formation of the École de Pont-Aven art movement.
Locronan with its boutique filled streets, or Rochefort-en-Terre, voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. With 14 towns awarded “Petite Cité de Caractère”, many on the Nantes-Brest Canal which meanders its way through the middle of Brittany, you’re spoiled for choice.
Discover Benodet in Finistere, a rather secret part of Brittany that has a chic, south-of-France feel that instantly switches you into holiday mode the moment you arrive. And the lovely Bay of Quiberon, thee shoreline of this captivating area stretches for an impressive 360 km around inlets and islands, river banks and ocean shore
Breton delicacies
It’s well known that the sea air gives you an appetite! In Brittany, you’ll taste the freshest seafood and shellfish, juicy oysters from Cancale, langoustines and the famous Breton lobster. Feast on the famous crepes, sweet and savoury, and enjoy a cider or local aperitif Kir Breton – cider and crème de Cassis. Look for small ‘auberges’ and ‘tables d’hotes’ where you will taste the most authentic local food – resistance is futile.
Head to the markets and do as the locals – munch on a galette saucisse (a pancake with a sausage), taste the freshest seafood and shellfish, juicy oysters, langoustines and the famous Breton lobster. Feast on the famous crepes, sweet and savoury, and enjoy a cider or local aperitif Kir Breton – sparkling cider and crème de cassis. Enjoy a slice of Breton ‘far’, a light and fluffy flan or sweet crunchy kouign-amann, quite possibly the butteriest cake in the world, and superb salted butter caramels from Quiberon.
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
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