Brittany
Visit Brittany, France
Brittany has an exceptional coastline with many beaches, fishing villages and islands; a remarkable historical architecture to be seen in some of the towns; and some of the finest prehistoric landmarks in the world - just a few of the reasons why so many people visit Brittany year after year!
Six unmissable highlights of a visit to Brittany
The historical centre of Rochefort-en-Terre is one of our favourite villages in FranceRochefort-en-Terre
Carnac has more prehistoric monuments and standing stones than anywhere else in Europe.
In the heart of the Granite Coast, Perros-Guirec has easy access to some very lovely coastal walksPerros-Guirec
One of our favourite towns in Brittany, Dinard is well known for its belle-epoque villas
The Morbihan Gulf is well placed for exploring the islands off the southern coast of Brittany.Morbihan Gulf
An extensive historical centre and lively atmosphere make Vannes an unmissable highlight of your visitVannes
Brittany is found in the north-west of France with the English channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south. The capital of the region is Rennes. The departments in Brittany are: Finistere, the western part of the peninsula; Cotes d'Armor (the north), Ille et Vilaine to the east, and Morbihan to the south.
Places to visit in Brittany: highlights by department
Ille-et-Vilaine - eastern Brittany
This accessible and popular department includes the region north of Rennes and the coastline west of Mont-Saint-Michel (Normandy) - known as the Emerald Coast.
Apart from the coastal attractions, the town of Dol-de-Bretagne is inland a few kilometres, with other highlights including Rennes and the medieval town of Vitré to the east of Rennes. Pretty Fougeres and its renowned castle is 20 km to the north of Vitré, while Saint-Suliac, classified among the most beautiful villages in France, is to the north-east of Ile-et-Vilaine.
Combourg and its chateau are between Rennes and the port town of Saint-Malo, while continuing eastwards visit also Cancale and Dinard at the east of Ille-et-Vilaine.
See Ille-et-Vilaine for tourist information
Cotes d'Armor - northern Brittany
Cotes d'Armor covers most of the northern coastline of Brittany, and is best known for the many scenic highlights along the coast
See the famous 'coast of pink granite' around Perros-Guirec, and also Cap-Fréhel (and nearby Fort la Latte and Tregastel). Along the coast from Dinan towards Paimpol you will find the cathedral town of Treguier, with the inland port town of Pontrieux to the south.
The large port / town of Lannion is to the north. Inland slightly along the Arguenon River visit Plancoet. Slightly inland from Saint-Brieuc you will find Moncontour, once the centre of Brittany's linen production.
See Cotes d'Armor for tourist information
Finistere - western Brittany
Finistere is the department that occupies the western, most isolated, part of Brittany, and includes the Armorique Regional Park and the large port town of Brest.
In northern Finistere visit Morlaix, nearby Saint-Pol-de-Leon, and also the busy town of Landerneau. Head further west in Brittany to see one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' at Le Faou and also the village of Le Conquet, then continue south-west on to the Crozon peninsula for Camaret, nearby Pointe de Pen-Hir, and another 'most beautiful village' at Locronan.
Visit the substantial boat 'museum' in the harbour at Douarnenez, and also nearby Pont-Croix, visit Audierne, then perhaps head to Plouezoch to see the Chateau de Taureau and the Cairn de Barnenez. To the south of Finistere the highlights include the large historical town of Quimper, passing via the resort of Benodet to the port at Concarneau and the town of Quimperlé.
See Finistere for tourist information
Morbihan - south-east Brittany
In south-west Brittany, the the focus of the Morbihan department is around the Gulf of Morbihan.
Prehistoric sites are found in many places in Brittany, with the 'epicentre' of these prehistoric monuments around Carnac (south of Auray), and at nearby Locmariaquer, where numerous megaliths can be seen.
Visit the attractive fishing port at Lorient and venture inland to visit town of Pontivy. See also Auray and Vannes, two attractive towns in the region, then inland in Morbihan don't miss Josselin Castle and, to the south of Josselin, the town of Rochefort-en-Terre.
See Morbihan for tourist information
Coast and islands: see also Brittany seaside, coast and islands for beaches, coastal highlights and islands in all Brittany departments
Find more ideas at Brittany tourist information, with more towns, national monuments, national parks, towns in bloom etc across the Brittany region.
Map of Brittany
French version: Brittany (Francais)
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