Brittany places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Brittany region. See also our Brittany travel guide.
Armorique Regional Park (Finistere)
The Armorique regional park is a lovely way to enjoy the countryside of Brittany both on and away from the coast
Audierne (Finistere)
The picturesque harbour area and the proximity of beaches combine to endure the popularity of Audierne
Auray (Morbihan)
Auray is a an attractive town with lovely views across the port of Saint-Goustan
Belle Ile (Morbihan)
Belle-Ile is the largest of the Brittany islands and has lovely coastline and pretty villages to enjoy exploring
Benodet (Finistere)
The long established resort of Benodet has a very scenic harbour for your promenade!
Camaret (Finistere)
The pleasure port, local beaches, historic monuments and prehistoric standing stones nearby all make Camaret a popular Brittany destination
Cancale (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Cancale is the perfect place to try the famous Brittany oysters, fresh every day!
Carnac (Morbihan)
Carnac is famius worldwide because of the extensive number of prehistoric standing stones and dolmens nearby
Carnac Plage (Morbihan)
Sooner or later you might fatigue of the thousands of prehistoric monuments in Carnac...now head for the small resort and beach at Carnac Plage!
Chateaugiron (Ille-et-Vilaine)
The castle and towers in the heart of old Chateaugiron help explain why it is now classed as a 'small city of character'.
Combourg (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Combourg is best known for the Chateau de Combourg, once home to Chateaubriand, the romantic French author
Concarneau (Finistere)
Now listed as a town of art and history, you will find lots of interesting monuments in Concarneau
Cote de Granit Rose (Cotes-d'Armor)
The pink rocks and blue seas of the Cote de Granit Rose make it one of the prettiest coastlines in France
Crozon (Finistere)
The Crozon peninsula in western Brittany has an ideal combination of villages, coastline and beaches
Dinan (Cotes-d'Armor)
The extensive medieval centre of the walled town of Dinan ensure its popularity - one of our favourite Brittany towns!
Dinard (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Dinard, estblished as a fashionable resort in the 19th century, is still one of the nicest towns in Ille-et-Vilaine
Dol-de-Bretagne (Ille-et-Vilaine)
The lovely old town in Dol-de-Bretagne ensure it remains one of the most popular destinations in Brittany
Douarnenez (Finistere)
Tourism based around the beaches and pleasure port have largely overtaken fishing as the principal industry at Douarnenez
Emerald Coast (Ille-et-Vilaine)
The Emerald Coast in northern Brittany is extremely popular with visitors and contains numerous places of interest, beaches and resorts
Forges des Salles (Cotes-d'Armor)
Attraction or village? The Forges des Salles was a 19th century village for workers in the forges, now restored as attraction.
Fougeres (Ille-et-Vilaine)
The castle and historic lower town are the main attraction, but be sure to also explore the newer upper town in Fougeres
Guerlesquin (Finistere)
Guerlesquin, listed as a 'small city of character', is a lovely way to see the traditional granite architecture for which Brittany is renowned
Huelgoat (Finistere)
The walk through the ancient forest that is accessed from Huelgoat town centre is very popular with visitors
Ile aux Moines (Morbihan)
In the Morbihan Gulf, the Ile-aux-Moines is also very easy to reach - very enjoyable to spend a day exploring but you might not be on your own!
Ile Brehat (Cotes-d'Armor)
The views and landscapes of the small island of Ile-Bréhat can be explored on foot or by bike; a lovely escape from the crowds
Ile de Groix (Morbihan)
With a popular beach, lovely traditional cottages and scenic villages the Ile-de-Groix is one of our favourite Brittany islands
Ile Glenan (Finistere)
The uninhabited islands of the Glenan archipelago are now a popular nature reserve and diving centre
Ile Houat (Morbihan)
We particularly recommend you walk the coast path around the small island of Ile-de-Houat
Ile Molene and Ouessant (Finistere)
The remote and barren landscapes of the Molene islands are fascinating and now a listed World Biosphere Reserve
Ile-d'Arz (Morbihan)
The beaches and scenery along the coastal footpath combine to make the Ile d'Arz, in the Morbihan Gulf, very popular with visitors
Ile-de-Batz (Finistere)
The Ile-de-Batz is one of the most popular Brittany islands, with a pretty harbour, beaches, semi-tropical gardens and scenic coastline to enjoy
Ile-de-Sein (Finistere)
As well as lovely scenery you will also enjoy exploring the village on the remote island of Ile-de-Sein, now listed among the most beautiful villages in France
Josselin (Morbihan)
The castle and the river are the centre of your visit to the historic town of Josselin
La Roche-Bernard (Morbihan)
The river harbour and historic old town centre make La Roche-Bernard a lovely little town to visit
La Trinite sur Mer (Morbihan)
The quiet harbour town of La Trinité-sur-Mer is where you can discover a traditional Brittany harbour before tourism took hold...
Landerneau (Finistere)
Among the highlights in the center of Landerneau, the medieval houses next to the bridge are our favourite
Lannion (Cotes-d'Armor)
Although Lannion is now associated with hi-tech industries, you will also find an interesting historical centre
Le Conquet (Finistere)
The surrounding rocky coastline is the main attraction here, and the village of Le Conquet itself is also pleasant to explore
Le Faou (Finistere)
The attractive harbour and traditional wooden houses explain why Le Faou is now listed amng the most beautiful villages in France
Locmariaquer (Morbihan)
The quiet small town of Locmariquer is best known for the famous oysters produced here, and available in the local restaurants!
Locquirec (Finistere)
Locquirec is a quiet tradional Brittany town, visited above all for its sandy beaches
Locronan (Finistere)
Locronan, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France' is one of our favourite villages in Britany
Lorient (Morbihan)
Due to the fishing industry and war time damage Lorient is not a typical Brittany destination but retains some highlights such as the Submarine Museum
Moncontour (Cotes-d'Armor)
The highlight in Moncontour is exploring the streets of half-timbered houses within the medieval defensive walls
Mont-Dol (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Mont Dol is a small village with a hill top on which stands a windmill and a small chapel.
Morbihan Gulf (Morbihan)
The Gulf of Morbihan, almost a protected lagoon on the southern coast of Brittany has various islands and places of interest
Morgat (Finistere)
The long sandy beach at Morgat has been the centre of activity here for more than 100 years, since the resort was first established
Morlaix (Finistere)
The pleasure port is the center of activity in the lively town of Morlaix
Paimpol (Cotes-d'Armor)
The harbour and the traditional small houses combine to make Paimpol a very interesting town to explore
Paimpont (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Paimpont is well known for its 'magical forest', part of the ancient forests that once covered Brittany
Perros-Guirec (Cotes-d'Armor)
Peros-Guirec is a popular town in the heart of the beautiful Cote de Granit Rose
Plancoet (Cotes-d'Armor)
Quiet when compared with the coast towns in Brittany, Plancoet and the nearby valley of the Arguenon river merit exploration
Plouezoch (Finistere)
At Plouezoc'h you wil enjoy a stroll around the town, and the view to the Chateau de Taurea on a small island
Pont l'Abbe (Finistere)
One of the quieter towns in Finistere, the port in Pont-l'Abbé and the walk long the river make for a very pleasant visit
Pont-Aven (Finistere)
The watermills and harbour area give Pont-Aven its own special appeal
Pont-Croix (Finistere)
The Collegiale Church of Notre-Dame de Roscudon and the narow surrounding streets are the highlight of your visit to Pont-Croix
Pontivy (Morbihan)
Pontivy is particularly interesting because it has a medieval old town and also a region added in the Napoleonic era to explore
Pontrieux (Cotes-d'Armor)
The canals, river and port in Pontrieux - and the famous washhouses - make it a very scenic town to explore
Port de Crouesty (Morbihan)
Port Crouesty is a new port development near Arzon, with a picturesque wak around the headland
Quiberon (Morbihan)
Apart from the town itself, the main attraction here is the scenery and beaches along the coast of the Quiberon peninsula
Quimper (Finistere)
The important town of Quimper is also one of the most visited in Brittany, especially for the half-timbered houses and the cathedral
Quimperle (Finistere)
The extremely pretty centre of Quimperlé make it one of the loveliest small towns in Finistere
Redon (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Combining and active port with the cobbled streets of the old town, Redon is very enjoyable to explore
Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine)
An unmissable highlight in the region, Rennes has a very picturesque medieval centre
Rochefort-en-Terre (Morbihan)
Now listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' you will enjoy a stroll around the centre of Rochefort-en-Terre and a look at the castle
Roscoff (Finistere)
Think Roscoff is just a ferry terminal? Take time o explore the historic centre!
Saint-Brice-en-Cogles (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Most visitors to Saint-Brice-en-Cogles also enjoy the tour of the local castles and manor houses
Saint-Brieuc (Cotes-d'Armor)
A lively local town rather than a tourist town, Saint-Brieuc has a substantial cathedral and a historic centre to visit
Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys (Morbihan)
The quiet village of Saint-Guildas is visited for the Abbey Church and the natural harbour
Saint-Goustan (Morbihan)
The picturesque harbour area of Saint-Goustan is a lovely place for a promenade after exploring the town of Auray
Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine)
We were pleased to discover that Saint-Malo, often considered a ferry port, is also an exceptional town to explore
Saint-Pol-de-Leon (Finistere)
The highlight of your visit to Saint-Pol-de-Léon migh be the 15th century Cathedral Saint-Paul-Aurelien - or it might be a nearby beach!
Saint-Suliac (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Saint Suliac is a beautiful village on the estuary of the River Rance in Brittany.
Sainte-Anne d'Auray (Morbihan)
This ensemble of religious monuments in Sainte-Anne-d'Auray was a most unexpected discovery in southern Brittany
Sarzeau (Morbihan)
See Suscinio Castle and the Gardens of Chateau de Kerlevenan in Sarzeau before heading to one of the beaches to the south
Tregastel (Cotes-d'Armor)
The resort of Tregastel has one of the nicest beaches in the area, and we also enjoyed following the coast path near here
Treguier (Cotes-d'Armor)
The cathedral and the 15th century half-timbered houses combine to make Treguier a particularly interesting town to visit
Vannes (Morbihan)
An unmissable highlight in this region of Brittany, the half-timbered houses in the centre of Vannes make it one of our favourite French medieval towns
Vitre (Ille-et-Vilaine)
A town not be missed, Vitré has a superb historic centre with numerous fascinating medieval buildings
For more information see the Brittany guide
Tourist attractions to visit in Brittany
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Aquarium
Aquarium de Vannes
Aquarium marin de Trégastel
Océanopolis
Enclos paroissial decorative churches
Argol
Bodilis
Brasparts
Commana
Guimiliau
La Martyre
La Roche Maurice
Lampaul-Guimiliau
Lannedern
Locmelar
Pleyben
Plougastel-Daoulas
Plougonven
Plouneour-Ménez
Saint Thégonnec
Sizun
Grand Sites of France
Beauport Abbey
Cap d'Erquy / Cap Frehel
Massif Dunaire de Gavres-Quiberon
Pointe du Raz
UNESCO world heritage sites
Camaret-sur-Mer tour dorée (Vauban fortifications): Tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Carnac: Tourist guide
Ile-de-Sein: Tourist guide
Locronan: Tourist guide
National Monuments
Cairn de Barnenez
Maison Ernest Renan
Megalithic site of Carnac: Tourist guide
Megaliths of Locmariaquer: Tourist guide
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Dinan: Tourist guide
Paimpol: Tourist guide
Saint-Renan
Vitre: Tourist guide
Regional Natural Parcs
Armorique: Tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Dinan: Tourist guide
Rennes: Tourist guide
Treguier: Tourist guide
Vannes: Tourist guide
Vitre: Tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Concarneau: Tourist guide
Dinan: Tourist guide
Dinard: Tourist guide
Fougeres: Tourist guide
Lorient: Tourist guide
Quimper: Tourist guide
Rennes: Tourist guide
Vannes: Tourist guide
Vitre: Tourist guide
Ville d'etape
Bedee
Dol-de-Bretagne: Tourist guide
Elven
Grand-Fougeray
Josselin: Tourist guide
Saint-Brice-en-Cogles
Saint-Thegonnec
4* Towns in Bloom
Brest
Cesson-Sevigne
Chartres-de-Bretagne
Dinard: Tourist guide
Fougeres: Tourist guide
La Gacilly
La Vraie-Croix
Lannion: Tourist guide
Le Rheu
Pontrieux: Tourist guide
Quimper: Tourist guide
Quintin
Rochefort-en-Terre: Tourist guide
Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marche
Saint-Juvat
Saint-Malo: Tourist guide
Vannes: Tourist guide
Zoo or wildlife park
Parc zoologique du château de Branféré
Zoo de Pont-Scorff
Zooparc de Trégomeur