Your digital welcome book in Brittany

A tour of Brittany

Welcome to Brittany, between land and sea

Fourth stop on our Régiontrip: Brittany! I have to be honest with you, having grown up between Brittany and the Mayenne, I am not remotely impartial about this region! And I own it completely! Now that the introductions are over, I hope this article will make you love Brittany as much as I do.

Its natural wonders

Brittany needs no introduction: its landscapes are quite simply extraordinary. The Pink Granite Coast in the Côtes-d'Armor springs to mind straight away. This magnificent coastline can also be admired at Cap d'Erquy, all the better preserved because it can only be reached on foot. If you love a good viewpoint, Brittany will win you over. The Pointe du Raz gives you the feeling of standing at the end of the world. It sits right at the tip of Finistère, on Cap Sizun. From there you get a sweeping view over the vastness of the ocean and the lace-like cliffs of the Breton coast. You absolutely must visit the Pointe du Grouin too (an unusual name, but don't hold it against it, you won't be disappointed!). Cap Fréhel, meanwhile, offers a stunning view of the islands of Jersey and Bréhat and of the Cotentin peninsula. And the Pointe de Pen-al-Lann looks out over the Morbihan coastline.

Set off on an island adventure

Brittany is also home to a string of islands, each one lovelier than the last. If you have the time and the chance, I really do recommend visiting them. The Île de Bréhat in spring is absolutely sublime. Saint-Cado will steal your heart at sunset, and I'll happily go out on a limb and promise you that. Belle-Île-en-Mer has plenty to offer as well, 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 easily believe you were in Polynesia. The water really is that turquoise! The archipelago lies an hour by boat from the mainland, with departures from several different towns.

The magic of the Breton countryside

Inland Brittany is particularly famous for its mythical legends. If you have a soft spot for those stories, then you're in exactly the right place! Lose yourself in the forest of Brocéliande for the full experience. There you'll discover all the legends surrounding Merlin and King Arthur. A whole trail has been laid out to take in the Church of the Grail and the Val sans Retour, as well as Merlin's tomb and plenty of other secrets I'll leave you to uncover for yourself. On your quest for legends, you'll also want to stop off at the Monts d'Arrée: this place 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, with a beautiful view over the Térénez inlet and the bay of Morlaix. Finally, to complete your quest, you'll need to take the time to see the Carnac standing stones. Found in the south of the Morbihan, there are close to 3,000 of them. You'll come across the same rather curious phenomenon on the Crozon peninsula, with the Lagatjar alignment.

Legendary food

Who has never tasted proper, delicious salted butter caramel on a still-warm crêpe? If you're about to answer "me", I promise you that's the very first thing to do after reading this article! And while you're at it, between you and me, I'd suggest trying everything else too. Far breton, kouign-amann, or the andouille sausage from Guémené or Vire. Believe me, it will be a real revelation. And don't forget to drink cider alongside it all.

Something for everyone

Brittany has a great many beautifully preserved towns and villages. To keep this article a reasonable length I'll mention only a few, but I really do recommend discovering 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 walk out to the Île du Grand Bé and the Petit Bé. Dinan should be on your list too. It's a fortified town with wonderfully preserved half-timbered houses. And in the same vein, we'd recommend Locronan.

Cancale, with its vast oyster beds, is a treat for oyster lovers, while Concarneau and its huge fishing port are a pleasure to explore. Morlaix and Quimper are well worth a visit, not least for the distinctive character of their houses. Vannes and Rennes also have a great deal to offer, and I hope you'll take the time to discover them. For those looking to escape the tourist crowds, we'd suggest Rochefort-en-Terre: quieter, but hugely picturesque. Finally, I'll mention Dinard and Paimpol. Two much-loved seaside resorts, both steeped in history.

Our tour of Brittany ends here, and I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Brittany still holds plenty of secrets, and I hope you'll go and uncover them. Do add to your welcome books all the places you think are unmissable. The most memorable discoveries often come from the least well-known spots.