Vacation In Brittany France
Vacation In Brittany France is a stunning selection of the best things to do in France. It’s sure to provide inspiration for any visitors looking to travel to France and enjoy the unique beauty that the region has to offer. And it’s packed with insider tips and ideas on how you could make the most of your time there.
It’s that time of year again�summer vacation! If you�re like me, you love hitting the sand, water and beers during this time. It is one of the few times of year I feel it is socially acceptable to drink beer at 8am. But if you don’t like crowds, this might not be your favorite time. There are a huge number of places to check out in France. And depending on how long you have to spend here, there are some great towns to visit in Brittany France too!
Are you looking for an unforgettable vacation experience in France? Book your stay at Brittany France Hotel and enjoy a wonderful vacation in one of the most romantic places in the world.
Brittany is a region in northwest France that encompasses 5 distinct régions: Pays de la Loire, Bretagne, Cotes d’Armor, Bretagne-Normandie, and Finistere and has been a popular destination for centuries. Brittany holidays offer an intriguing perspective on the isle of France’s beautiful coastline as well as its rich heritage, high quality food and drink, and some of the most serene landscapes in all of Europe.
If you are planning a vacation to an authentic French village this year, Spain or Portugal, especially in the southern part of France, will be a good choice. France is one of the countries that offers great opportunities for travel in Europe. In today’s difficult economic situation, holidays with low cost are very popular among Europeans.
Vacation In Brittany France
Bounded by the sea and defined by its traditional character, Brittany is a beautiful region in northeastern France with welcoming and interesting places to visit.
Quaint fishing villages are nestled in bays along the Atlantic coastline, while the verdant countryside is dotted with picturesque medieval villages and fairy-tale castles.
The landscape varies from peaceful moors and pristine forests to secluded sandy beaches and dramatic seaside scenery. From its rocky promontories, the craggy northern coastline offers sweeping ocean views.
Brittany is also a land of myths, legends, and fascinating history. The region has a Celtic influence with a dialect related to Gaelic, and the local cuisine is delicious. Crêperies serve “galettes” (savory buckwheat crepes) and dessert crepes with toppings such as caramel, chocolate sauce, and fresh seasonal strawberries.
Bretons take pride in celebrating the ancient custom of “pardons,” a special type of pilgrimage when townspeople attend Mass to ask forgiveness for their sins. The pardons also include religious festivals with participants wearing historical costumes.
Endless sightseeing opportunities and authentic local experiences await travelers to this captivating region. Discover the best places to visit and things to do with our list of the top attractions in Brittany.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Saint-Malo
This quintessential Breton port is a former island near the mainland. Designed as a citadel, Saint-Malo boasts well-preserved medieval fortifications that lend a distinctive character to the city.
During the Second World War, the historic center (Vieille Ville) of Saint-Malo was largely destroyed, except for the old walls; the Château de Saint-Malo, which dates to the 14th and 15th centuries; and the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, which was founded in the 12th century.
The town was rebuilt after WWII in its original style, with granite houses that appear ancient. The city has also retained its medieval ambience because the atmospheric old cobblestone streets have survived the centuries.
Narrow pedestrian lanes lead to bustling public squares and side streets, with many restaurants and crêperies found at every turn. Gracing the Place Chateaubriand is the posh three-star Hôtel France & Chateaubriand in a neoclassical building modeled after the grand seaside resorts of the Napoléon III era. Guest rooms feature elegant minimalist decor; some look out to the coastline. Amenities include a stylish café, brasserie, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views.
Near the Place Chateaubriand are steps leading up to the ramparts, which date back to the 12th century. A walk around the complete circuit takes about an hour. From the projecting bastions are spectacular vistas of the town, the estuary (with the town of Dinard on the opposite bank), the sea, and the offshore islands.
Below the west side of the ramparts is the Plage de Bon–Secours, a sandy beach with summertime lifeguard surveillance and fantastic facilities, including a seawater swimming pool, showers, restrooms, and a café. The beach also has a view of the Saint-Malo Bay and the town of Dinard in the distance.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Saint-Malo
2. Quimper
On the banks of the Odet River, Quimper is a picture-postcard historic town. Visitors are delighted by the authentic atmosphere of this Breton riverside community, with its sweet pastel-painted half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and pedestrian footbridges decorated with potted flowers.
In the center of the town is the Place Saint-Corentin, presided over by Quimper’s awe-inspiring Cathédrale Saint-Corentin. Dating to the 13th century, the cathedral is considered Brittany’s finest Gothic building. Between the cathedral’s two high towers (which were completed in the 19th century), the legendary figure of King Gradion peers above the town.
Across from the cathedral, the Musée des Beaux-Arts displays a wonderful fine arts collection in an elegant neoclassical building. Highlights are the works by French, Italian, Flemish, and Dutch painters, as well as pictures by Max Jacob and the Post-Impressionist painters of Pont-Aven (l’Ecole de Pont-Aven), which included Paul Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Maurice Denis, Paul Sérusier, and Charles Filiger, among others.
South of the cathedral, in the former Bishop’s Palace, is the Musée Départemental Breton (Breton Museum) with a collection of archaeological objects, folk costumes, ceramics, and artworks, which reveal Brittany’s rich cultural heritage. There is also a collection of landscape paintings that depict Brittany’s Finistère region.
Quimper was the capital of the Duchy of Cornouaille during the early medieval period and now is the chief town of the département of Finistère in southwestern Brittany. One of the attractions of visiting Quimper is the surrounding countryside of Cornouaille. This stunning, rugged landscape is characterized by its rocky peninsulas and sensational sea views.
There are also many seaside resorts in the area, including Tréboul and the fishing port of Douarnenez. The Pointe du Raz is the most westerly point in Brittany and offers an amazing panoramic outlook from the tip of the promontory.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Quimper
3. Nantes
At the junction of the Erdre and Loire Rivers, the old Breton port of Nantes has played an important role in history. Nantes was the capital of the Duchy of Brittany during the Middle Ages, and it was here in 1598 that Henry IV signed the Edict of Nantes, which granted freedom of religious belief to Protestants.
Thanks to its advantageous port location, Nantes became a prosperous commercial town from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Nantes has also been a university town since the 15th century. Today, Nantes is still a thriving center of higher education, as well as France’s sixth largest city.
Visitors may begin a sightseeing tour of Nantes’ top attractions in the historic center at the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany), founded in the 15th century by Francois II, one of the last Breton rulers. Surrounded by parkland, this enormous fortress has all the essentials of a medieval castle: a moat, imposing towers, and sturdy defensive walls.
The château houses the Musee d’Histoire de Nantes (History Museum of Nantes) on display in the opulent Flamboyant Gothic reception rooms. The diverse collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, model ships, and scientific instruments.
The museum requires an entry fee, while the château gardens and rampart walk are open to the public for free. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne also has a crêperie restaurant, La Fraiseraie, that specializes in crêpes (both savory and sweet), as well as frozen desserts (sorbet and ice cream) made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The château’s bookstore sells souvenirs, toys, special regional candies, and books about the history of the castle and the city.
After touring the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, visitors should continue west of the castle to the historic quarter of Nantes known as the Bouffay district. In this medieval quarter of half-timbered houses, tourists may wander through the maze of winding streets and shop at the enticing boutiques.
In the center of Nantes is the Place Royale, an elegant 18th-century square. Nearby (within a 10-minute walk) is the busy thoroughfare of Rue Crébillon with many shops and restaurants and the Cours Cambronne square that has a small tree-lined green space with park benches.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nantes
4. Rennes
The old capital of Brittany, Rennes is still the region’s economic and cultural center, as well as a university town. After a fire in 1720, much of the town had to be rebuilt, and more reconstruction was necessary after WWII. Rennes is now a modern city with streets laid out at right angles.
Visitors can begin a walking tour at the Place de la Mairie to admire the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), built in 1734. West of the Place de la Mairie is the Eglise Saint-Sauveur, a lovely church built from the 17th to the 18th centuries. East of the Town Hall is the Place du Parlement de Bretagne encircled by 18th-century houses.
Farther northeast, the Romanesque abbey church of Notre-Dame en Saint-Melaine dazzles visitors with its elaborately sculpted facade and ornately embellished cloister. Several blocks away is the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre with an interesting blend of architectural styles.
Tourists should also take time to stroll the narrow cobblestone lanes around the cathedral where there are perfectly preserved historic houses such as the Hôtel de Blossac at 6 Rue du Chapitre.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Rennes
5. Belle-Île-en-Mer
Belle-Île-en-Mer is the largest of the Breton islands but is still only 17 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide. The island’s name translates to “Beautiful Island in the Sea,” fitting of its sublime natural setting on the Quiberon Bay of Brittany’s southwest coast.
The main hub of activity on Belle-Île-en-Mer is Le Palais, an interesting town with many restaurants, hotels, art galleries, and artisans’ workshops.
Above the harbor in Le Palais is the Citadelle Vauban, a medieval citadel that was enhanced by French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban in the 17th century. The site is now a Hôtel-Musée (Hotel-Museum), with the former barracks converted into upscale guest rooms, a museum focused on the history of Belle-Île-en-Mer, and a chic gourmet restaurant.
