Our guide to...

Brittany

A popular ferry port, and one of the most well-known French regions, Brittany juts out from the country’s western side with its tip less than 120 miles from the English county of Cornwall. Brittany and Cornwall have a number of similarities, both with a strong Celtic influence, and the region features green rolling countryside and historic landmarks such as the megalithic Carnac Stones numbering over 3,000 in total. Brittany is one of the six Celtic Nations, and it’s often known as Little Britain’. With its closeness to the UK it is a popular destination of families seeking self-catering cottages and gites.

Known for its beaches, including areas of coastline with bright pink granite cliffs, the department of Cotes-d’Armor is a place to see impressive castles and ruins. The harbour town of Paimpol is a favourite with tourists, and the day and night street markets and annual sea shanty festival are events that you won’t want to miss. As you’d expect, restaurants in Cotes-d’Armor are amongst the best places to try fresh fish and seafood including oysters and mussels. Whilst staying in a gîte in Cotes-d’Armor why not pay a visit to the Abbaye de Beauport surrounded by lakes and fields of sheep, to enjoy the varied calendar of events on offer within abbey grounds?

The furthest tip of Brittany is the department of Finistère, which in English translates to Land’s End. You can’t get closer to Cornwall, and you’ll find that the landscape is very similar with rugged rocky cliffs, beaches and open stretches of field. Abbeys, castles and picturesque harbour towns are great places to visit, but it’s the farm parks, adventure playgrounds and L’Aquashow aquarium that kids can’t resist. By far the most interesting and unique attraction is Peninsula – Le Labyrinthe, where you can get lost for hours in an elaborate wooden-fenced maze.

Ille-et-Vilaine is the most inland of Brittany’s departments, with only a few beaches to be found in the north. Amongst its coastal towns you’ll find Saint-Malo, which is a popular stopping point on France and Channel Islands cruises. Saint-Malo itself is a historic walled town known for its markets and seafood restaurants, and is a perfect place to visit if you like peaceful days by the shore. Inland, attractions include the Manoir de L’Automobile and the Foret Adrenaline Parc with its treetop adventure playground for little and big kids alike.

Morbihan is the region famous for the Carnac stones, which are prehistoric standing stones and top tourist attractions. The Gulf of Morbihan is a sailor’s paradise, and there are safe south-facing beaches where you can relax and unwind on the sand. Morbihan’s attractions are mostly sites of natural beauty, historic houses, cathedrals and elegant French castles, but don’t think for a second that the kids will be bored. If you’re travelling with children then you’ll want to schedule visits to the zoo and botanical gardens in Le Guerno and Le Parc de Jeux P’tit Délire which is a giant indoor play area, water garden and adventure park where they can burn that excess energy.

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Areas of Brittany

Finistere
The furthest tip of Brittany is the department of Finistère, which in English translates to Land's End. You can't get closer to Cornwall, and you'll find that the landscape is very similar with rugged rocky cliffs, beaches and open stretches of field. Abbeys, castles and picturesque harbour towns are great places to visit, but it's the farm parks, adventure playgrounds and L'Aquashow aquarium that kids can't resist. By far the most interesting and unique attraction is Peninsula - Le Labyrinthe, where you can get lost for hours in an elaborate wooden-fenced maze.

Ille et Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine is the most inland of Brittany's departments, with only a few beaches to be found in the north. Amongst its coastal towns you'll find Saint-Malo, which is a popular stopping point on France and Channel Islands cruises. Saint-Malo itself is a historic walled town known for its markets and seafood restaurants.

Cotes d’Armor
Known for its beaches, including areas of coastline with bright pink granite cliffs, the department of Côtes-d'Armor is a place to see impressive castles and ruins.

Morbihan
Morbihan is the department famous for the Carnac stones, which are prehistoric standing stones and top tourist attractions. The Gulf of Morbihan is a sailor's paradise, and there are safe south-facing beaches where you can relax and unwind on the sand.