Brittany Holiday Guide
Brittany, or Bretagne as it is known to the French, has a distinctly different identity from the rest of France. Bretons have their own language, customs, cathedrals and festivals, the region only officially becoming part of France in the 1500s. One of the many stories explaining the creation of Brittany is that the region was founded by Cornish settlers fleeing England.
Brittany benefits from a beautiful jagged coastline with cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, seaside resorts and lively commercial and unspoilt fishing harbours. At the tip of Brittany, between the headland of Le Conquet and the famous Pointe du Raz, the military port of Brest stands guard over what is one of the busiest shipping routes in Europe. Further south lies the Gulf of Morbihan, an amazing inland sea dotted with islands. It is a real haven for seabirds and a sailing paradise.
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Brittany
- Carnac: Megalithic monuments
Set up between 5000 and 2000BC, the various megaliths which surround the town of Carnac are very worthwhile visiting. They include both single stones and ‘alignments’ (such as the Ménec Alignments).
- Boat trips around the Gulf of Morbihan
The Golfe du Morbihan is an inland sea which offers some of the best and unusual scenery in Brittany. Boat tours are available and from Auray, Locmariaquer, Vannes and Port-Navalo – they are certainly the best way to explore the wildlife, islands and islets in the Gulf.
- Océanopolis in Brest
This magnificent aquarium and research centre will keep children and adults entertained with its superb collections of sea mammals, exhibitions and seaweeds. Ideal for wet weather days!
- Beaches on the Emerald Coast
Some of Brittany’s finest beaches are to be found on the north coast of the Côtes-d’Armor department on La Côte d’Emeraude, which streches from Cap Fréhel on the west to Cancale. The main beaches are at Saint-Lunaire and Saint-Briac.
- Château de Bourbansais
Situated close to Dinan in the north of Brittany, this impressive late 16th Century castle, small zoo and gardens offers a beautiful green setting with various wild animals. There are also interesting collections of porcelain and documents in the castle.
Top 5 Towns and Cities in Brittany
- Dinan
The quaint town of Dinan, situated along the banks of the River Rance remains an intriguing destination for those seeking the charm of medieval France. The picturesque old town looks all the more pretty surrounded by an abundance of parks and trees. It still retains its 600 year old ramparts and castle walls, a reminder of Dinan's historical significance.
- Rennes
The university city of Rennes is the capital of the region and is an attractive, vibrant and culturally rich centre. There are plenty of festivals throughout the year (although particularly in the summer), as well as superb shops, museums, restaurants and attractive buildings.
- Pontivy
This large and lively market town in the Morbihan department is made up of two distinct halves. There is the intriguing mediaeval area which centres on the 15th century Chateau des Rohan, which is a fabulous moated castle. Here you can see the Napoleonic influence in streets that are laid out in regimental lines. Then there is the area known as the old town, with its beautiful timbered buildings that overhang the quaint little streets. Here you can shop ‘til you drop, and rest assured that it will be a thoroughly enjoyable process!
- Quimper
Quimper, the capital city of the Finistère department is a lovely and influential old city. Once heavily fortified, much of the 15th century city walls are now lying in ruins, but there is still much of the mediaeval city left to enjoy. Large though it may be, Quimper has the feel and atmosphere of a much smaller town, with an olde worlde charm which calls back visitors time and time again. The ambience is rustic rather than urban, and as you wander in the ancient streets of the Old Quarter, with its twisting alleyways and half-timbered houses, it is easy to forget that this is a thriving modern city.
- St Malo
St-Malo, built on a granite rock attached by a causeway to the north coast of Brittany in north-west France, is a beautiful walled harbour town with commanding views of some of France’s most spectacular coastline. Known to many as a ferry port, St-Malo is a superb destination in its own right, and although its location makes it a perfect gateway for exploring the rest of France, the town itself has so much to offer that many people are happy to base their entire stay in the town.
Food and Drink in Brittany
Open to both the Channel and the Atlantic, Brittany is a heaven for lovers of seafood and shellfish in particular. Also popular in Brittany are crepes and galettes. Crepes are made from wheat flour and are served with sweet ingredients such as butter, sugar, syrups, jams and icecream. Galettes are made from buckwheat and are filled with savoury fillings such as egg, cheese, ham, sausage and fish.
Like in Normandy, cider is very popular and is the common accompaniment to crepes and galettes.
How to get to Brittany
Ferries sail from the UK to St Malo regularly, although you may find cheaper services going to Cherbourg or Caen in Normandy so look around before you book. For many, however, flying is still the easiest option. Ryanair fly to Dinard from London Stansted, while Aurigny Air fly there via Guernsey from Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, Stansted, Gatwick and Southampton.
