Brittany: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Brittany is a popular travel destination for nature lovers and cultural travelers. Its Atlantic coast is beautiful, welcoming you with attractive sandy beaches and bizarre rock formations. The hinterland impresses with rugged beauty, promising you wild and romantic holiday experiences. You will discover tiny fishing villages with idyllic charm as well as historical attractions in modern cities.
Table of contents
Brittany - The most beautiful cities
Saint Malo
In the Breton port city of Saint-Malo, located on the Emerald Coast, also known as the Côte d'Émeraude, in northwestern France, there is much to discover. Its old town is surrounded by high granite walls with bastions, curtains, and towers. A walk on the once formidable fortifications is a must, as is a visit to the castle and the Saint-Malo Cathedral. The statues of daring sailors and the Étoile du Roy, the three-masted replica of a traditional privateer ship in the port of Saint-Malo, remind us that the city was long a stronghold for privateers. However, its most famous son is the great poet François-René de Chateaubriand, whose tomb you can visit on the tidal island of Grand Bé.
Paimpont
The forest of Paimpont is largely untouched and a true paradise for hikers. On your excursions, you will pass a variety of lakes that blend picturesquely into the landscape. In the woods, there are also some cult sites, including Merlin's Tomb, the Fountain of Barenton, and the Fountain of Youth. The Church of Notre-Dame, built in the 13th century, is considered a cultural landmark of the locality. Also, take a look at the early modern forge or visit Comper Castle, parts of which are open for viewing and take you on a journey through time.
Dinard
The former fishing village of Dinard is now one of the most elegant holiday resorts in France. The former splendor of the Belle Epoque is ever-present with around 400 historic villas from the 19th century. The historic heritage and breathtaking nature are ideal conditions for a successful family vacation in the north of Brittany. Three fine sandy beaches and a promenade with palm trees make the pearl on the Emerald Coast a popular attraction. Various water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking are possible here. The Parc du Port Breton, on the other hand, impresses with a rose garden, a wildlife park, many play and sports facilities, as well as walking paths with magnificent sea views.
Rennes
The landmark of Rennes is the expansive Parc du Thabor, which also reflects the soul of the city. The park is an exciting mix of French and English style and invites you to take long walks. Not far away is the imposing cathedral, built in the 19th century. Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where artworks from around the world have been admired for more than a century, or learn more about the region's culture at the cultural center Les Champs Libres. At the Musée de Bretagne, visitors learn a lot about the turbulent past of northwestern France.
Pont Aven
In ancient times, Pont-Aven was the village of mills. Colorful riverbanks, stone walls, and a lovers' grove await visitors in the small Breton town. You can visit the Chapel of Trémalo in the "Bois d’Amour" grove. At the Château of Le Hénant or the pretty beach of Port Manech, you can experience France at its finest. Pont-Aven was not only the town of painters but also of laundresses. They shaped the image on the islands and banks, and soon an artist colony settled there. Today, guests of Pont-Aven enjoy the special light, the lively activity at the harbor, and leisurely walks through alleys and over bridges.
Quimper
Particularly charming is the pretty old town, where the Saint-Corentin Cathedral is located. It was named in honor of the first bishop of Quimper and towers over all other buildings with its delicate spires. Also worth seeing are the Breton half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Between the old town and the old Roman district of Locmaria on the banks of the Odet River is the Fayence Museum. Quimper has been famous for its faience, artistic ceramics, for centuries. Gourmets are drawn to the market halls. Here you can try all sorts of delicacies from freshly caught shrimp to crêpes.
Concarneau
Its magnetic attraction is owed to the city of the so-called Ville close. The "closed city" is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is almost entirely surrounded by water and walls, the Remparts. Once, Concarneau was the site of a Benedictine monastery, but over time it developed into a significant fortress. Today, the Ville close is a tourist center. Especially in summer, visitors stroll through the narrow streets. At every corner, small souvenir shops and cafés entice, where one can try specialties like crêpes and Kouign Amann. Outside the Ville close, a trip to the neo-Gothic Château de Kériolet is worthwhile.
Dinan
Dinan sits surrounded by dense forests above the mouth of the River Rance. The old town is characterized by narrow, cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. In this multifaceted city, you can enjoy a varied city trip with your family that combines the cultural heritage of this place with the surrounding nature. Worth seeing, in addition to the three-kilometer-long city wall, is the Rue du Jerzual. It connects the marina with the lively center with its modern shops, craft businesses, restaurants, and cafes. A walk along the harbor is as attractive in Dinan as a kayak tour on the river.
Brittany - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Armorique Regional Natural Park
The Armorique Nature Park is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Brittany. The landscape is wonderfully diverse, ranging from rugged cliffs to lovely flower meadows. The Cap de la Chèvre offers magnificent panoramas with its large heathlands in the south of the Crozon Peninsula. The island of Ouessant provides maritime impressions. The island can be reached by ferry from Brest. On the island, you can visit the Phare du Stiff lighthouse and the Pen-ar-Lan stone circle. In the heart of the nature park, the Monts d'Arrée mountain range beckons, offering a breathtaking view over the Pays de Léon.
Cape Frehel
Cap Frehel in western France is a perfect place for bird watching. You can spot cormorants, puffins, and oystercatchers. It looks spectacular when herring gulls dive from hovering over the rocks into the sea. With a bit of luck, you might see a razorbill, a rare type of penguin. Cap Frehel is made of pink slate, which shimmers beautifully at sunset. In spring and summer, the headland is in full bloom. Countless sea thrift and purple heather bloom then. An idyllic destination for a hike is the lighthouse built in the 1950s.
Gulf of Morbihan
The main islands in the Gulf of Morbihan are Île-aux-Moines and Île d’Arz. They can be reached by ferry from Vannes. Île d’Arz is a paradise for aspiring sailors, as France's largest sailing school is located here. Both islands feature dolmens and beautiful beaches. On the Rhuys Peninsula, the Voie verte "La littorale" beckons. The coastal road is car-free and leads you to the famous salt marshes. In many coastal towns of the Gulf of Morbihan, oysters are farmed. You can watch the oyster farmers at work or take a boat trip with a Sinagot or Guépard.
Pink Granite Coast
The Pink Granite Coast stretches for about 30 kilometers along the French coast. Over millennia, geological processes formed a spectacular play of colors in the granite rock from feldspar, quartz, and mica. During a walk along the coast, be captivated by the diverse shapes of the small, round stones. Along the Sentier des Douaniers (Customs Officers' Path), enjoy picturesque views of the sea and unforgettable vistas from imposing granite rocks. Small coastal towns along the Pink Granite Coast, like Perros-Guirec with its shops and small cafes, invite you to linger. In the charming town of Ploumanac’h, immerse yourself in the rich history.
Pointe du Raz
The Pointe du Raz, shaped by wind and roaring waves, near the town of Plogoff, is one of the most famous natural beauties of the Breton coast. It is not without reason that it bears the label "Grande Site de France," which is awarded only to France's most protected landmarks. The rocky cape is ideal for a hike or kayak tour. The cliffs of the Pointe du Raz rise about 70 meters into the sea, offering unique views of the square lighthouse La Vieille and the island of Sein. To learn more about the rugged breakwater and the surrounding natural landscape, visit the exhibition at the Maison de Site visitor center.
Brittany - Climate
The influence of the Gulf Stream provides Brittany with a mild, oceanic climate. If you want to enjoy plenty of sunshine with pleasant maximum temperatures averaging 20°C, it is best to book your holiday home in July or August. Due to its proximity to the Atlantic, frost and snow are rare in winter. Although short rain showers occur year-round, especially inland, they have low precipitation amounts. Unforgettable hikes through heath and moor landscapes are best undertaken in early summer and autumn. The coldest month, January, with an average temperature of 8.7°C, is ideal for visiting unique indoor attractions such as the Saint-Corentin Cathedral in Quimper.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.