Extending westward into the Atlantic Ocean, the northwestern region of Brittany is home to some of the world's oldest standing architecture like the Cairn of Barnenez and the Tumulus Saint-Michel. The people of the region are proud of their Breton identity and it’s no surprise why: Brittany became an independent kingdom and then a duchy before being united with the Kingdom of France in 1532. Its cuisine is one of its star attractions with crêpes and galettes just two of its most well-known dishes. You can easily spend a month in Brittany and feel like you have just scratched the surface of what makes the province, and its people, tick.
Here’s your complete guide to Brittany.
La Pointe Saint-Mathieu: Near the steep cliffs battered by the sea and winds, a striking lighthouse watches over the ruins of a former abbey. According to legend, the merchants of Léon were miraculously saved from drowning off this headland as they brought back the body of the Apostle Matthew. The first monastery was founded here by Tanguy in the 6th century to house Saint Matthew’s relics. The Roman façade of the abbey can still be seen today, along with the stone vaults of the choir stalls and the arches of the nave. Take a walk at dusk and you’ll see the abbey at its most hauntingly beautiful, lit up by the lighthouse beam.
Concarneau: The walled town and its fortifications are one of the most beautiful bays in Brittany. Its thick ramparts from the 14th century are testimony to its past as a stronghold. In summer, the morning is the best time to discover it. The town’s other charms reveal themselves in its fishing port and the fine sandy beaches, which are great places for water sports and seaside activities. Take a walk along the cornice to Sables Blancs Beach and drink in the sunset.
The Cap d’Erquy and Cap Fréhel headlands: Looming above an emerald sea, the pink sandstone cliffs of the Cap d’Erquy headland are crowned by wild moorlands where the colours are ever-changing. The dazzling yellow of gorse flowers in spring is followed by violet heathers in summer. This nature reserve is home to a variety of plant species and is a haven for seabirds. Erquy is also a fishing port known for its scallops. Not far away, the majestic cliffs of Cap Fréhel provide one of the best views in Brittany. On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view that stretches from the Cotentin Peninsula and Jersey all the way to Paimpol.
Dinan: Enclosed by nearly 3km of ramparts, the town of Dinan and its 14th-century castle overlook the Rance River. Step into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages on the Rue du Jerzual, whose half-timbered houses and buildings with pointed gables are a reminder of the town’s wealthy past. From the 14th to 18th centuries, it was busy with weavers and tanners. You’ll love strolling around and dreaming in front of the workshop boutiques of glass-blowers and wood gilders. From Dinan Harbour, the banks of the Rance offer a pleasant environment for walking.
Mont Saint-Michel Bay: This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a splendid maritime landscape, a patchwork of polders, a stack of mussel farms and a mythical architectural gem reflecting in the vast stretch of water. The view embraces sand, salt meadows, the sea and the sky. Light plays with the elements in a changing landscape in which Mont Saint-Michel and the mussel stakes are reflected, making a visit here one that you will not forget in a hurry.
Walk along the Pink Granite Coast: Stretching over a dozen kilometres between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden, the Pink Granite Coast owes its name to the blush-color rock—a rare chemical composition formed from volcanic activity some 300 million years ago. The beautiful coppery pink glows in the sunshine. From Bréhat to Trébeurden, the Pink Granite Coast stretches out in a series of remarkable curves facing a chain of islands and islets, beside fine sandy beaches sheltered by pines. The Sept-Îles National Nature Reserve, off the coast of Perros-Guirec, is home to one of the largest colonies of seabirds, especially puffins, gannets and cormorants. Take the GR34 footpath, which meanders along the coast, and be prepared for some truly splendid sights.
Explore the canals: Take a river cruise along the serene canals of Brittany or hop on a cycle and take a leisurely bike ride from one small picturesque town to another. You can also canoe or kayak out for a trip along the water. With bird songs, the lapping of water as a background noise, greenery, no cars and beautiful castles, you will be enchanted through and through. Choose from the Nantes to Brest Canal, Le Boël and the river Vilaine Valley, and the Ille-et-Rance Canal to the 11 locks at Hédé-Bazouges.
Trek the Crozon peninsula: Head to the Crozon peninsula where the rugged cliffs falling into turquoise waters attract ever-larger crowds of tourists every year. The area’s wild landscapes are impeccably preserved. The GR34 route, a long-distance walking trail that follows Brittany’s entire coastline from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire, will take you around the peninsula, making for almost 150km worth of pine trees and fragrant heather overlooking small coves and sandy beaches. You can access the footpath year-round from many different access points.
Take a surfing lesson: Brittany’s waves attract a growing number of water sports enthusiasts every year. La Torche in Finistère is one of the most prized locations but you can also consider lesser-known options such as the Bay of the Dead, located near the scenic Pointe du Raz, or Plouharnel in the Morbihan. Most surfing schools will let you rent bodyboards at a lower cost which require next to no skill or water sport experience.
Learn about the history behind the Carnac alignments: With over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Carnac is on one of the sunniest coasts in Brittany. The 3,000 standing stones in the moors are its primary attraction, tracing lines of around 1km long. They are one of the most extraordinary concentrations of standing stones in the world. The most impressive alignments can be found at Menec, Kerlescan and Kermario. Alongside them is the tumulus of Saint Michel and the giant of Manio, a standing stone 6.50m tall. Walk the footpaths circling the alignments or join a guided tour to learn more about the wild and wacky hypotheses scientists have put forward to explain the collection.
Enjoy traditional Breton cuisine at Café Ty Pierre in Roscoff, Carré Saint-Michel in Plouguerneau, Restaurant Le Végétarium de La Maison Yves Rocher in La Gacilly, L'Alsace à Quai in Lorient, Le Ruffé in Brest and La Minoterie in Guipry-Messac.
For luxurious stays consider the Hôtel and Spa Oceania Saint-Malo, the Le Magic Hôtel & Spa in Vitré, the Hôtel and Spa Oceania La Conti in Brest, and the Grand Hôtel des Thermes in Saint-Malo. Families can consider stays at the Villaperrosienne in Perros-Guirec, the La ferme du Bout du Monde in Plogoff and Le Bôlieu in Le Quillio. Backpackers can consider the Auberge des Dunes in Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, the Auberge de Jeunesse Ostal Concarneau, the Auberge de Jeunesse Ostal in Brest and the Auberge de jeunesse HI Lorient.
Take a plane to Nantes from Paris. From Paris Montparnasse, allow 90 minutes to get to Rennes by train and three hours for Brest or Quimper by TGV. You can also drive the 385km to Nantes and the 592km to Brest from Paris.
Once in Brittany, figure out how to get to your destination using the KorriGo.bzh website and app.