Brittany Holiday Guide
French Holiday Property Home > Holiday Guides > Region Guides > BrittanyIdyllic holidays for people of all ages and tastes
Brittany's seaside resorts are well established and have all the facilities to ensure idyllic holidays for people of all ages and tastes. Families can find plenty of child-friendly activities, entertainment and superb beaches, teens and young adults can enjoy exciting sports and a lively social scene, while couples and older visitors will find lots of possibilities for romantic retreats and quiet, beautiful corners where they can really get away from it all.Top 5 Things to See and Do in Brittany
1. Enjoy the seaside
Brittany is one of France's favourite seaside destinations, and it is hardly surprising given its extensive and stunning coastline. Nowhere in Brittany is far from the sea, and the maritime culture and heritage is all pervading throughout the region. The coast varies massively from area to area, hence you can find long sandy beaches, secret rocky coves, towering cliffs, wild, swelling seas or gentle waves - the choice is yours!2. Discover megaliths in Morbihan
If prehistoric sites and standing stones fascinate you, get down to the department of Morbihan, where there are many to be found. Carnac and Locmariaquer are the places to head for.3. Eat seafood
Brittany's coast offers some of the best seafood in France, and oysters, mussels, clams and razor clams can all be in found in abundance here, in the shops, the fish markets and on the restaurant tables.4. Bréhat Island
Bréhat Island, connected to the Côtes d'Armor department by a Vauban built bridge, is a tranquil little piece of paradise. Utterly romantic, peaceful (no motor traffic allowed!) and pretty, it's a perfect escape and a wonderful place to spend a few idyllic hours.5. Follow the trail of King Arthur
The magical forest of Brocielande, the place of the Arthurian Legends, is said to have been the chosen domicile of Merlin the magician. Visit the Château de Comper, home to a great exhibition of artifacts connected to King Arthur, see the lake that is the alleged home of the Lady of the Lake, or follow the forest trails and enjoy discovering the legends, the myths and the beauty.Top 5 Towns and Cities in Brittany
1. Rennes
As the capital of the Brittany region, Rennes is always worth a visit. It's a superb city, with Roman roots and remains, mediaeval fortifications, cultural venues and plenty of the lighter side of life too, in the form of bars, restaurants and entertainment.2. Dinan
Dinan is a beautiful mediaeval town, complete with a river port for added charm and atmosphere. Enjoy a stroll around the narrow twisting streets, marking the typically mediaeval houses with their half-timbered exterior walls, and take a delightful break in one of the many cafés and little restaurants where you can enjoy the best of Brittany's delicacies. Château de Bourbansais is found close to Dinan, which incorporates an impressive late 16th Century castle, small zoo and gardens, and offers a beautiful green setting with various wild animals. There are also interesting collections of porcelain and documents in the castle.3. Concarneau
This lively fishing port is also a heritage town, complete with fortifications by none other then Vauban, military architect of genius. Concarneau is also highly recommended as the place where you can really begin to understand Brittany's (and more specifically, Finistère's) deep connection with the sea. The Maritime Museum is excellent.4. St Malo
St Malo combines the bustling atmosphere of a busy ferry port with the happy, holiday air of a seaside resort - as well as being a shopping Mecca and a lovely place to dine and enjoy the culture. If you have kids in tow, or are interested in marine life, take a look at the brilliant Aquarium.5. Paimpol
Paimpol is a delightful old fishing port, full of authenticity and a paradise for lovers of seafood. The Museum of the Sea is fascinating, and the port area and the old town centre are full of charm.Food and Drink in Brittany
Brittany is heaven for lovers of fish, shellfish and anything that can be found and eaten from the sea, the beaches or the rock pools! Oysters are a particular specialty, but mussels and razor clams are also very highly prized. Other delicacies are crepes, especially the dark, buckwheat variety served with savoury fillings, while further gastronomic pleasures include white beans, salted butter, cider and beer.How to get to Brittany
Brittany is really easy to reach from the UK, with various options open to you. Airports with direct flights can be found at Rennes (Flybe), Dinard (Aurigny, Ryanair) and Brest (Flybe, Ryanair) while the ferry ports of St Malo and Roscoff offer the opportunity to travel by boat.Holiday Guides to the Departments of Brittany
Côtes-d'Armor Holiday Guide
The Côtes-d'Armor, which occupies the northern coast of Brittany, is easily accessible from the UK and is probably the most popular holiday destination in the region. It has a superb coast, with safe, sandy beaches, lovely mediaeval towns and a culture that is bursting with colour and character.
Finistère Holiday Guide
Finistère is the furthest west, the wildest and the most mysterious of the Brittany departments. It is also the most Breton, having a powerful culture that pervades the department, rooted in its seafaring tradition.
Ille-et-Vilaine Holiday Guide
Ille-et-Vilaine is the department of Brittany that lies to the east of the region, bordering Lower Normandy and the Pays de la Loire to the south. It also occupies a stretch of the northern coast, encompassing the ferry port of St Malo and stunning beaches on the Emerald Coast.
Morbihan Holiday Guide
Morbihan is the most southerly department of Brittany, and as such benefits from the warmest climate in the region, and also enjoys a largely south-facing coastline. Morbihan is a land of magic, of mystery and glorious beaches and countryside, the ideal location for fun-filled holidays.
