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Brittany, France travel guide

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.

Brittany is one of the most popular regions of France with visitors, for several reasons: the attractive coastline,  beaches and fishing villages; the islands off the Breton coast; the historical architecture of some of the towns such as Morlaix and Quimper; and the prehistoric landmarks.

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

Coastline and islands

See Brittany seaside, coast and islands for beaches, coastline and islands in all Brittany departments

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.

Combourg and its chateau are between the historic town of Rennes and the port town of St Malo, while continuing eastwards visit Cancale, also Dinard and Saint-Malo, at the eastern edge 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, including the famous 'coast of pink granite' (cote de granit rose) 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 the village of Le Conquet, then continue south-west on to the Crozon peninsula for Camaret, nearby Pointe de Pen-Hir, and the classified 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. visit the attractive fishing port at Lorient and venture inland to visit the split-personality town at Pontivy.

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.

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

Guest article: A view of western Brittany from an American resident: visit western brittany

Visit Brittany - tourist information

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See also Brittany (version Francais)