Finistere

The north

This part of Finistere is very popular, in particular around Lannion and on the coast near Saint-Pol-de-Léon.

Entering Finistere from the east the first resort you reach is the traditional village (and beaches) of Locquirec, with the historic town of Guerlesquin about 20km inland and the 'enchanted forest' at Huelgoat a little further.

Continue westwards to Roscoff to see the historic centre with the Church Notre-Dame-de-Kroaz-Batz and its lantern tower. Nearby visit Morlaix and St Pol de Leon (cathedral town), then perhaps the lively town at Landerneau.

The highly decorated churches at Guimiliau and Saint-Thegonnec are also very worth visiting, along with others that you will come across during your travels through Finistere. See Enclos Paroissiaux churches of Finistere for details. Another popular destination in the north is the fortified renaissance castle at Kerjean.

See Roscoff and the north for highlights

The west

This is the most wild region of Finistere, where you will discover spectacular coastal scenery and villages that have escaped the tourist crowds.

First see Camaret and then the exceptional views from some of the headlands along the coast e.g. Pointe de Dinan and nearby Pointe de Pen-Hir, on the Crozon peninsula, then headto Audierne and the Pointe de Raz. Be sure to also visit the small village of Le Faou while you are here.

Note that the Pointe du Raz, at the far west of this part of Finistere, is one of just a handful of classified Grand Sites of France'. Among the prehistoric sites in the west you can visit the Cairn de Barnenez at Plouezoch.

Heading south, at the head of the Baie de Douarnenez visit the classified most beautiful village at Locronan. To the east of Locronan, the town of Pont-Croix merits a visit, as does the impressive boating 'museum' in the harbour at Douarnenez.

See Douarnenez, Crozon and the west for highlights

The south

While Quimper is the best known town here, there are numerous smaller towns and villages of interest, and plenty of lovely beaches to discover.

Benodet is one of the most popular resorts here, while the important town of Quimper (also a cathedral town) is to the south of Finistere, as are the fishing port of Concarneau and the town of Quimperlé.

South of Quimper visit Pont l'Abbé to stroll around the port then between Quimper and Quimperlé we also recommend a visit to Pont-Aven, a scenic town with several ancient mills and a very impressive art museum.

See Concarneau and the south for highlights

Beaches and coast

With so many beaches to explore - some long and sandy, some pebble beaches, and others just small coves tucked away in the rocks, we can't hope to accurately describe and review all of them - suffice to say you are spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches, with a good number of them supervised during the summer season, so you are unlikely to be disappointed!

Among the islands to visit off the coast of Finistere arethose of Molène and Ouessant and also the Ile-de-Sein.

As well as the beaches and coastal scenery for which this department of western Brittany is well known the fishing ports and traditional coastal villages are also one of the big attractions in Finistere.

See Brittany seaside, coast and islands for some of the other coastal highlights in Brittany.