Brittany, a land of a thousand stories
Brittany has so much to offer. History, legend, nature and food: it is bound to win you over. Take the time to go and discover all its treasures.
Fourth stop on our Region Trip: Brittany!
I have to be honest with you: having grown up between Brittany and the Mayenne, I am not in the least bit impartial about this region! And I own it completely!
Now that the short introduction is out of the way, I hope this article will make you love Brittany as much as I do.Its natural wonders
It hardly needs an introduction: Brittany boasts extraordinary landscapes. The pink granite coast in the Côtes-d'Armor springs to mind. This magnificent stretch of coast can also be seen at Cap d’Erquy, which is all the better preserved because you can only reach it on foot.
If you love a good viewpoint, Brittany will win you over. The Pointe du Raz will make you feel like you are at the end of the world. It sits right at the tip of Finistère, on Cap Sizun. From there you get a breathtaking view over the vastness of the ocean and the lace-like cliffs of the Breton coast. You absolutely must also visit the Pointe du Grouin (an unusual name, but don’t hold it against the place, you won’t be disappointed!). Cap Fréhel, meanwhile, offers a stunning view of the islands of Jersey and Bréhal and of the Cotentin. The Pointe de Pen-al-Lann gives you a vantage point over the Morbihan coastline. Brittany also has a whole host of islands, each prettier than the last. If you have the time and the chance, I really do recommend going to visit them.
The Île de Bréhat in spring is absolutely glorious. Saint Cado will be your favourite at sunset: I’ll take the risk of promising you that. Belle Île en Mer has plenty to offer too, not least a wealth of viewpoints. I recommend the one at the Pointe des Poulains. It also has a very pretty marina. But my forever favourite, the one I really want to share with you, is the Glénan Archipelago. You could almost be in Polynesia. The water really is that turquoise! The archipelago is an hour by boat from the mainland, and there are departures from several different towns.Its magic
Breton lands are particularly known for their mythical legends. If you are a fan of those stories, then you are in the right place! Get lost in the forest of Brocéliande for the full experience. There you will discover all the legends of Merlin and King Arthur. A whole trail has been laid out taking in the Church of the Grail and the Val sans Retour, as well as Merlin’s tomb and many other secrets that I shall leave you to uncover for yourself.
On your quest for legends, you will also need to stop at the Monts d’Arrée: this spot is said to hold the gates to the afterlife, Yeun Ellez in Breton. And at the Cairn of Barnenez: a structure of more than 3,000 stones on the Kernéléhen peninsula. A lovely view over the Térénez inlet and the bay of Morlaix.
Finally, to complete your quest, you will need to take the time to discover the standing stones of Carnac. They can be seen in the south of the Morbihan and there are nearly 3,000 of them. You will find the same rather strange phenomenon on the Crozon peninsula, with the Lagatjar alignment.Its legendary food
Who has never tasted real, delicious salted butter caramel on a still-warm crêpe? If you are about to answer “me”, I promise you that is the first thing you should do after reading this article! And while you are at it, between you and me, I recommend tasting everything else too. Far breton, kouign-amann or even the andouille from Guémené or Vire. Trust me, it will be a real revelation. And don’t forget to drink cider alongside it all.Its extraordinary architecture
Brittany has a considerable number of wonderfully well-preserved towns and villages. To keep this article a reasonable length I will mention only a few, but I really do recommend going to see them all.
Saint-Malo remains a must. Strolling along its ramparts and through its cobbled streets is a real pleasure. At low tide you can visit the Île du Grand Bé and the Île du Petit Bé. Dinan should be on your list too. It is a fortified town with beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. And in the same vein we recommend Locronan. Cancale, for oyster lovers, with its vast oyster beds, and Concarneau, with its very large fishing port, are both a delight to explore. Morlaix and Quimper are worth seeing, especially for the distinctive character of their houses. Vannes and Rennes also have a great deal to offer, and I hope you will take the time to discover them.
For anyone looking to get away from the tourist crowds, we recommend Rochefort-en-Terre. Quieter, but very picturesque.
Lastly, I will mention Dinard and Paimpol. Two much-loved seaside resorts steeped in history. Our tour of Brittany comes to an end here, and I hope you enjoyed reading the article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Brittany still holds plenty of secrets, and I hope you will go and discover them. Don’t forget to update your welcome book and add all the places you consider unmissable.
Exceptional discoveries often come from the least known places.
Frequently asked questions
Which Breton island should I visit if I only have time for one? The Glénan archipelago, without hesitation. The water there is turquoise enough to pass for Polynesia, and the crossing takes about an hour from the coast, with departures from several towns. In spring, Bréhat is a fine alternative, and Saint Cado is best seen at sunset.
Which viewpoints in Brittany are actually worth the detour? The Pointe du Raz, at the very end of Finistère on Cap Sizun, feels like the end of the world, facing the open ocean and the lacework of the cliffs. The Pointe du Grouin and Cap Fréhel, from which you can see Jersey, Bréhat and the Cotentin, are worth the trip. The Pointe de Pen-al-Lann looks out over the Morbihan coast.
Where should I go in Brittany for the King Arthur legends? To the forest of Brocéliande, where a marked route leads to the church of the Grail, the Val sans Retour and Merlin’s tomb. To carry the quest further, the Monts d’Arrée are said to hold the gates of the beyond, Yeun Ellez in Breton. The Cairn of Barnenez, on the Kernéléhen peninsula, adds more than 3,000 stones and a view over the Térénez inlet and the bay of Morlaix.
What should I absolutely taste while I am there? Salted butter caramel on a still-warm crêpe, to start with. Then far breton, kouign-amann and the andouille of Guémené or Vire. And cider alongside all of it.
Which town should I visit to avoid the tourist crowds? Rochefort-en-Terre, quieter and very picturesque. If you prefer the classics, Saint-Malo and its ramparts give access to the Grand Bé and Petit Bé islands at low tide, and Dinan keeps its half-timbered houses behind its fortifications. Locronan plays in the same register.
How do I add these places to my property’s welcome book? Keep the ones you genuinely recommend, the places you have seen and can describe in two sentences. A guest remembers three confident suggestions better than a list of twenty names. And update the welcome book as soon as you find new ones.
If you can't fit everything in, here are the seven stops I put back into every itinerary, and what sets each one apart:
| What you're after | Where to go | What awaits you |
|---|---|---|
| A view from the end of the world | Pointe du Raz, Cap Sizun (Finistère) | The open ocean and the lacework of the cliffs |
| Turquoise water | Glénan archipelago | One hour by boat from the coast, several departure points |
| Arthurian legends | Brocéliande forest | The Grail church, the Val sans Retour, Merlin's tomb |
| Standing stones | Carnac menhirs, southern Morbihan | Close to 3,000 aligned menhirs |
| Sweet and savoury | Salted butter caramel crêpe, far breton, kouign-amann | With cider on the side, and andouille from Guémené or Vire |
| A walled town | Saint-Malo | Ramparts, cobbled streets, Grand Bé and Petit Bé islands at low tide |
| Avoiding the crowds | Rochefort-en-Terre | A quieter village, and a very picturesque one |
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