Finest Issues To Do In Brittany, France

Britanny is surrounded by the ocean, a land of ships and fish and waves crashing in opposition to towering
cliffs.

It’s a mixture of untamed and cultured, of sea foam and Celtic roots. It is a spot not like every other in France, part-magical, part-medieval, however stunningly lovely if you happen to like untouched pure landscapes and postcard-perfect ports with boats bobbing within the water, heavy with  their catch.

Of the various issues to do in Brittany, these associated to the ocean will most likely be those you do most.

©Alexandre Lamoureux / Tourisme Bretagne

Brittany is a cultural treasure trove, but it is usually France’s solely area to not have any official UNESCO World Heritage
websites.

For Bretons, although, Brittany is by far the very best place on earth.

It is simply that the remainder of the world would not comprehend it but.

The place IS Brittany, precisely?

Brittany makes up France’s excessive west, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean just like the bow of a ship. It’s made up of 4 départements (listed here are the opposite 97): they’re Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Côtes d’Armor (22), Morbihan (56), and Finistère (29).

Map of Brittany

Highlights of Brittany

With its almost 2500 kilometers of shoreline (1500 miles) it is no surprise Brittany’s eyes flip to the ocean, its hidden creeks and seashores concealing crystal-clear waters. This makes it perfect for each doable kind of water sports activities, from crusing and browsing to scuba diving – or just to gaze upon its wild magnificence.

Only one factor: do not complain concerning the “invigorating” water temperature. 

And the place there are rugged coastlines, there are additionally crashing waves, cliffs and boulders.

No matter your pleasure, if you happen to love the ocean and are a fan of wild nature, medieval villages and Celtic tradition, you then’ll go wild over Brittany.

HIKE ALONG THE COAST OF BRITTANY

Brittany’s coast is breathtaking and you may take pleasure in its beautiful views and dramatic cliffs on well-maintained mountaineering trails that run all alongside it. When you take pleasure in journey on foot, you merely can not ignore Brittany’s coastal hikes.

This a part of France is generally flat so the mountaineering is definitely reasonably simply strolling. Most of those shoreline hikes run alongside the Customs Path, the Sentier des Douaniers, also called the GR 34. It covers the entire western coast of Brittany and was created within the late 1700s for the aim of stopping crime at sea.

The Twentieth century introduced a brand new wave of improvement to the previous trails and these days you may merely take pleasure in scenic, well-marked paths.

These three hikes belong to the “crème de la crème”:

The Emerald Coast – one more a part of lovely Brittany

Emerald Coast

This hike alongside majestic cliffs begins by a tall lighthouse and a smaller one designed by  Vauban, Louis XIV’s chief architect and creator of a lot of France’s ramparts and fortifications.  It additionally goes by a protected nature reserve stuffed with heather, presents views of islands within the distance, and ends on the picturesque fortress La Latte. 

Pink Granite Coast

Right here it’s all concerning the uniquely formed and uniquely coloured rock, le Granit Rose – it options hues of pink! The extraordinarily straightforward path passes completely different rock formations and boulders, small coves, and bays and ends on the fishing port city of Ploumanac’h, with its little crescent seashore.

Crozon Peninsula

A hike on this abandoned peninsula is extraordinarily scenic. Plummeting cliffs, little islands.. and heather in every single place… You can too observe remnants of a wartime coastal protection system. The hike ends on the city of Camaret-sur-Mer, the place you may take pleasure in a stunning meal and a fortress constructed by Vauban.

—Contribution by Veronika Primm of travelgeekery.com

Ille-et-Vilaine (35)

Arriving from Paris by automobile, the Ille-et-Vilaine is the primary départment you will drive into. Its capital, Rennes, can be the capital of Brittany, a pleasant metropolis crammed with crooked homes and cobblestoned streets.

RENNES: CAPITAL OF BRITTANY

Rennes is the cultural and administrative capital of Brittany and the japanese gateway to the area. With a inhabitants of about 225,000, it’s a superb place to spend a couple of days or a pleasant base for day journeys, as it’s well-connected by practice and bus to different components of Brittany. The driverless metro is state-of-the-art and makes it easy to get round.  In actual fact, Rennes is the smallest metropolis in France to have a metro.

Be a part of a strolling tour or a bike tour to discover the historical past of the previous city. You’ll wish to see the quaint half-timbered homes from the sixteenth century and the Breton parliament constructing, illuminated in summer season by a light-weight and music present.  

Rennes, among the finest locations to go to in Brittany

One other particular summer season occasion is the Fest Noz conventional Breton music and dance pageant within the park. That is the very best place to see conventional Breton music and dance and even check out some conventional video games and be a part of within the dancing.

Be taught concerning the historical past of the music and dance you noticed on the Musée de Bretagne, an interactive museum which traces the historical past of Rennes and the Brittany area.  

The Saturday market within the Place des Lices is among the greatest in France, and an excellent place to attempt the very best of native Breton delicacies and decide up some meals for a picnic within the huge Parc du Thabour. If you would like a sit-down meal, go for a galette or crêpe on the Crêperie Sainte-Anne to individuals watch round Place Sainte-Anne and the Basilique Notre Dame.  

—Contribution by Kristin Montgomery of GrowingGlobalCitizens.com

The département is stuffed with medieval historical past, however can be residence to such nationwide treasures because the Saint-Malo metropolis ramparts.

SAINT-MALO, HOME OF CORSAIRS AND PIRATES

Top-of-the-line locations to go to in Brittany and an unmissable cease in your itinerary is Saint-Malo. The walled medieval metropolis within the north of the area is definitely probably the most visited metropolis in Brittany, and 4 million guests per yr merely can’t be incorrect.

Positioned on the Côte d’Émeraude (Emerald Coast), also called the pearl of Brittany, Saint-Malo has a protracted historical past as a corsair and pirate city. Its location proper on the English Channel couldn’t have been higher for forcing English ships to pay tribute for passing, and it introduced notable wealth to city. 

The pirate days are over and in the present day, Saint-Malo is a well-liked vacation vacation spot for French and worldwide vacationers, and has among the finest seashores in Brittany, at Bon-Secours. When visiting Saint-Malo, it’s finest to start out with a stroll by the historic heart to discover the cobbled stone alleys, the area’s typical homes, cute shops and even a handful of turrets. 

The town of Saint-Malo, a excessive level of Brittany tourism

It’s straightforward to find the historic heart, by the best way: it’s surrounded by an enormous walled rampart. You may enter by one of many many entry factors and stroll your complete size of town. From the partitions you may take within the spectacular views over Saint-Malo, but additionally the ocean, the harbor and the 2 little offshore islands. 

If the climate is nice, you additionally spend time at one of many seashores in entrance of town partitions. Saint-Malo is thought for among the greatest tides in Europe: on a sunny day, stroll over to the offshore islands, which change into reachable on foot at low tides. The smaller one of many two, Petit Bé, is residence to a small fort, which could be visited with a guided tour. 

—Contribution by Lena Drevermann of salutfromparis.com

Locations to see in Ille-et-Vilaine

Saint-Suliac: Not removed from Saint-Malo is the seaside village of Saint-Suliac, its lovely granite homes with cheerful shutters bordering a mild bay dotted with fishing boats, the occasional internet recalling a previous of cod fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

Cancale: This pretty port is known for its oysters, which you’ll pattern proper off the boat, or sitting alongside the port, or in one of many many eateries alongside the water. When you hike round right here (the well-known GR34 rears its head once more) you will see all of the oyster banks within the distance. You will additionally discover pretty creeks and white sandy seashores on the best way to Saint-Malo, however consuming oysters is unquestionably one of many high issues to do in Brittany.

Bécherel: This village could have fewer than 1000 inhabitants, but it surely has greater than a dozen bookshops! Stroll alongside the granite homes of this hilltop village and benefit from the views.

Dinard: This is among the most well-known locations alongside the Emerald Coast and presumably the best-known spa city, with its pretty villas and Belle Epoque vibe, and the long-lasting blue and white seashore tents lined up alongside the primary seashore. Look throughout the water for a surprising view of the fortified metropolis of Saint-Malo.

Blue seashore tents of Dinard (L’Oeil de Paco/Tourisme Bretagne)

BROCÉLIANDE FOREST (AKA FORȆT DE PAIMPONT)

Sitting astride the Ile-et-Vilaine and Morbihan departments is a bewitching forest crammed with magic, the place actuality and creativeness meet. Formally often known as Paimpont Forest, Brocéliande is extra dream than actuality, the right setting for all these medieval legends and one of many extra uncommon issues to do in Brittany.

Suppose King Arthur… and begin your immersion into Arthurian legend by visiting Comper, a medieval fortress, adopted by Merlin’s tomb (properly, his supposed tomb) and the Fountain of Youth, assured so as to add years to your life – so long as you have led an exemplary one, which after all all of us have.

Rent a storyteller and immerse your self on this legendary Arthurian environment. (Contact the vacationer workplace for assist in discovering English-language excursions. This group additionally presents excursions.)

Guillotin Oak, 800 years previous, with a trunk so big it was used as a hiding place through the French Revolution

Morbihan (56)

There’s one thing magical concerning the Morbihan – the fantastic thing about its historic buildings and gulf islands, after all, but additionally the legends that disguise behind the Carnac stones and the Brocéliande Forest.

The hundreds of prehistoric stones that make up the alignment at Carnac

In a land crammed with wonderful medieval cities, Vannes, the capital of this départment, is among the finest cities in Brittany. As soon as its capital, it was supplanted by Rennes when Brittany turned French.

WALLED CITY OF VANNES

Known as Daroritum beneath the Romans, this Gallo-Roman port is among the area’s most vital, and due to this fact fortified. It was Brittany’s capital for some time and that is the place François I met with Breton officers to seal the unification of Brittany and France, so it performed an vital position in Breton historical past. The union with France additionally spelled the start of the decline of Vannes.

The town has a wealthy heritage of half-timbered homes, greater than 200 of them, that are the delight of lovers of medieval buildings. Twice every week, a market is held on the Place des Lices, as soon as the positioning of jousts.

The Archeological Museum of the Morbihan, situated within the Chateau Gaillard, can be value a go to.

Locations to see within the Morbihan

It is a much-loved area and you may run out of time earlier than you run out of locations to see.

Belle-Île-en-Mer: That is wilderness at its finest, and an ideal defensive level in opposition to overseas invaders and pirates through the Center Ages., fortified with the beautiful Citadelle Vauban (sure, once more!). However there’s far more to see on the island, from the busy Port du Palais to the pastel colors of Sauzon and the wild coast of the north. To the west, the rocky cliffs and crashing waves fascinated Claude Monet, and you may see why. A bus tour may properly be the best technique to tour the island and it is one of many favorite Brittany vacationer points of interest.

Quiberon Peninsula: This beautiful space is made for lovers of nature, from its sunsets to seashores to wild coastlines, among the many better of Brittany for pure landscapes.

Côtes d’Armor (22)

The Côtes d’Armor takes you deeper into Breton immersion because the native language swirls round you and also you come upon extra quaint fishing villages (we will by no means see too many of those!) and dramatic cliff backdrops.

That is additionally residence to the ravishing Thirteenth-century city of Dinan, the place you will really feel such as you’ve stepped out of a time machine.

MEDIEVAL DINAN

With over 130 historic timber-framed homes, visiting Dinan is like visiting the Thirteenth century. Dinan is even pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry, a Romanesque piece of artwork commissioned almost one thousand years in the past.

Dinan is perched on a steep hill above the Rance River. On the backside of the hill, the port is lined with eating places, bars and cafes with unimaginable river views, and a viaduct in-built 1852 to present entry to the city.

If you wish to see the very best medieval structure in France, head to the Rue du Jerzual, a cobblestone street that runs by Dinan and has modified little or no prior to now few hundred years.

For hundreds of years this avenue has been residence to medieval craftspeople, from weavers to tanners, and today it’s inhabited by glass-blowers, sculptors and painters. Beware, it’s a steep hill however with benches for resting alongside the best way.

Historic vacationer points of interest in Dinan embrace the Jacobins Theatre, which dates again to 1224, the flamboyant Gothic St Malo Church, the Romanesque St Saviour Basilica, the Tour de l’Horloge, town ramparts and the Château de Dinan.

You may stroll alongside the ramparts of town to soak up the wonderful views and the 14th-century château, in-built 1382 by John IV of Montfort. Or just people-gaze on the Place Mercier, the business coronary heart of city.

―Contribution by Religion Coates of xyuandbeyond.com

Locations to see within the Côtes d’Armor

Ploumanach’: This lovable fishing village alongside the Granite Coast boasts a spectacular stone lighthouse, an iconic sight of the village.

L’île de Bréhat: The way in which to see this postcard-perfect island is on foot or by renting a motorbike, as a result of it’s car-free, its fairly inlets with turquoise waters and dramatic − and photogenic − stone formations.

Moncontour: One of many “most lovely villages in France“, often known as the plus beaux villages de France. As soon as made rich by the textile commerce, among the regal properties of the interval stay − as do the city ramparts.

Tréguier: This historic bishopric is residence to the Cathédrale Saint-Tugdual, certainly one of Brittany’s most lovely, and its Fifteenth-century Gothic cloister.

Cap Fréhel: Its plunging cliffs are residence to many nesting birds, and its moors are amongst Europe’s largest. Marshall your vitality for the view from the lighthouse.

When you occur to be right here in August, attempt to soak up the Sea Shanty Pageant, the Pageant du Chant de Marin in Paimpol. It is all about boats and the ocean, and every year it is devoted to a special nation or area of the world. 

Finistère (29)

The very form of the Finistère − a little bit of a snout protruding into the ocean − means the ocean isn’t distant, its scent and brine in every single place.

Like the opposite components of Brittany, you will discover pretty medieval villages within the Finistère, like Locronan, for instance, one of the well-known, or the appeal of Daoualas Abbey.

However there’s loads extra to be seen right here, particularly with regards to nature.

Just like the hilly Monts d’Arrée, the place you may gambol round Hoelgoat’s forest, which you may simply suppose is Brocéliande’s little sister.

And once more, make a detour round by the Chemin des Douaniers on the Crozon Peninsula (GR 34) on the excessive western tip of Finistère for abandoned white seashores, secluded creeks and majestic backdrops, and water so blue you may as properly be within the Mediterranean.

Thatched homes of Kerasköet in Névez, in southern Finistère (Donatienne Guillaudeau / Tourisme Bretagne)

Locations to see within the Finistère

Brest: A maritime heart of which solely the Fifteenth-century fortress and some ramparts stay – the remainder was destroyed throughout World Battle II and rebuilt. An attention-grabbing metropolis for anybody eager on maritime affairs or army historical past.

Concarneau: Dwelling of certainly one of France’s famend walled cities, for lovers of ramparts and fortresses. The Ville Shut is surrounded by ramparts (constructed by Vauban, who else?) and hosts a significant Breton people pageant in August.

Douarnenez: As soon as France’s biggest sardine ports, that is nonetheless very a lot a fishing city, with boats bringing within the every day catch. Throughout the bay you may see Tristan Island, largely off-limits however accessible a couple of days a month when the tide recedes and a path seems (and sure, you can too go by boat). 

Landevennec: Its microclimate is sort of Mediterranean and its abbey remains to be inhabited by Benedictine monks. An archeological dig is close by, together with a museum which traces 13 centuries of Breton historical past.

Locronan: A pleasant village that can be listed as certainly one of France’s most lovely, and with purpose, particularly when all of the flowers are out. A number of centuries in the past, the village held the sail-weaving monopoly of France, and all sails have been made right here. As of late, it’s typically used as a backdrop for movies or TV reveals.

Pont-Aven: When you love the artwork of Paul Gauguin (and others), you might already know of this small small city, which nonetheless displays tons of of work of the surroundings which drew artists right here within the nineteenth century to kind what turned often known as the Ecole de Pont-Aven.

Roscoff: Granite homes and fishing boats will remind you of the pirate previous of the city which as soon as rivalled Saint-Malo. In the present day, it is also well-known for its wellness facilities or spas.

Finistère journey suggestions

In summer season, issues can get a bit of touristy, so set your course for one of many many small islands within the space: Ouessant and its lighthouse (and lighthouse museum), the oh-so-peaceful Sein, the just about untouched Molène and the Glénans archipelago, famend for its world-class crusing faculty and clear waters.

When you do need individuals round you, contemplate France’s largest widespread music pageant, le Pageant des Vielles Charrues in Carhaix, which is attended by three-quarters of one million festival-goers every year.

For one thing extra Breton, the Cornouaille Pageant in Quimper is the place you must expertise this Celtic extravaganza.

The historical past of Brittany (and what makes this land so particular)

Brittany has been a part of France for almost 600 years, however typically you’d suppose it solely occurred yesterday. Some Bretons nonetheless discover it troublesome to just accept.

Brittany had no need to affix France again within the sixteenth century and solely did so when the heiress to the Duchy, Anne of Brittany, married King Charles VIII of France (and upon his dying, as agreed earlier than it, his cousin Louis XII). Beneath the wedding settlement, Brittany would retain a few of its autonomy and customs, guarantees which have been by no means stored.

Like many previously impartial areas of France, bringing Brittany into France did not stomp out its tradition, which survived even when challenged.

By the Twentieth century, Breton tradition had begun to erode. The Breton language backpedaled, being alternately banned or ignored, even by its personal individuals, who noticed French as extra trendy and who craved schooling – which was all in French. France’s centralizing push additionally contributed, hoping to make good little French individuals out of all its residents.

The mid-Twentieth century noticed “nice nationalisms” sweep the world, and France was no exception. The language – often known as brezhoneg – was again in style, and other people have been proud to talk it.

In the present day, brezhoneg is in full revival and is the one language in France, together with Basque, that has not advanced from Latin, being nearer to Cornish. In 2020, almost 10,000 college students have been bilingual in brezhoneg at commencement.

As in different areas which have been introduced unwillingly into France, some activist teams advocate for Brittany’s independence (Savoy and Corsica are different French examples).

Are you aware of Astérix? He is a bit of comedian ebook character, a lot beloved by the French, who lives in a tiny Breton village in what was then known as Armorique (Brittany beneath the Romans). The village is a holdout in opposition to the conquering Romans, and every time they conflict, the little Bretons (or Gauls, because the Romans known as them) would win. The comics are accessible in English and are each enjoyable and clever, to not point out deeply embedded in France’s tradition.

Astérix aside, you get the sense in Brittany that every citizen is a finely formed ambassador for the area, whisking out that Breton delight at each flip. And in every single place you go in France, you will encounter a bit of Brittany, whether or not as stickers on automobiles, as discreet little flags, or in your plate everytime you eat a crêpe or a galette.

This regional id has even prolonged to creating their very own comfortable drink: the Breizh Cola.

Consuming in Brittany

After all, among the finest issues to do in Bretagne, because it’s known as in French, is to eat. Many specialties have exported properly, and you might be aware of a few of these dishes:

• Craquelins: dry biscuits (first boiled, then baked) to eat with a candy unfold
• Galette: what we all know as a savory crêpe, made with buckwheat (and infrequently crammed with sausage)
• Pommé: an apple- and cider-based marmalade
• Seafood
• Andouille de Guémené: a typical Breton pork delicacy however a little bit of an acquired style
• Tome de Rhuys: made out of uncooked cow’s milk
• Gâteau Breton: an addictive mixture of eggs, flour, butter and sugar
• Palet Breton: a kind of butter biscuit, in your afternoon espresso
• Kouign-amann: a Breton pastry with rather a lot butter and sugar, crispy on the surface and comfortable on the within

When to go to Brittany

The truth that it typically rains right here isn’t any secret, so the very best time to go to Brittany is within the
summer season, from June to September. There are extra vacationers throughout this time, after all, however
extra sunshine too.

Attending to Brittany

Brittany is definitely accessible.

You will get right here from Paris on the Atlantic TGV which takes you to Rennes (1.5 hours), Saint-Malo in beneath 3 hours, and Brest in beneath 4. 

You can too take the practice to Rennes straight from Lyon with out having to attach in Paris. Take a look at the varied practice schedules and costs right here.

There are additionally flights to Brittany from neighbouring international locations. Airports in Brittany France embrace Rennes, Brest, Lorient, Dinard and Quimper. Airports close to Brittany embrace Nantes.

Getting round Brittany

Driving round Brittany

By far one of the simplest ways to go to this area is to take a street journey by Brittany, just because it’s comparatively rural and lots of the locations you will wish to see are usually not straightforward to succeed in. 

Driving in France could be a problem, however Brittany roads are good and comparatively uncrowded, so that is one area the place a automobile would undoubtedly be an asset.

I do not all the time drive my very own automobile round France. Once I hire, I exploit Uncover Vehicles, which scours the online for the very best offers from ALL automobile rental companies.

Bus and practice round Brittany

Brittany has an intensive public transportation community of trains and buses, and so they go virtually in every single place.

Sadly, some are seasonal, and others supply very restricted transportation choices, so main planning and analysis are concerned.

Take a look at the wonderful (however in French) BreizhGo public transport website, particularly this map, which provides you a birds’ eye view of all choices all through Brittany.

Take a tour in Brittany

Whereas Brittany is ideal for a solo go to, if you happen to’re quick on time or do not wish to spend it organizing journey from place to put, contemplate taking one thing extra organized.

This Brittany Strolling Tour is a mix of mountaineering alongside the GR 34 and of being transported to the right start line. You will see greater than “simply” Brittany as a result of the tour ends in Mont Saint-Michel, which is technically in Normandy.

When you’re feeling match and and wish to go biking in Brittany however don’t need the trouble of organizing all of it by yourself, take a look at Biking alongside the Emerald Coast, which can take you to lots of the spots we have described right here.

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