Brittany is located in the extreme north west of France and it is really big, so large in fact that independentist Bretons have for some time been campaigning for a referendum like the one held in Scotland recently as they feel actual self governance would be appropriate.
Most holidaymakers have next to no interest in such weighty matters, they are far more concerned with the big decision which is "do we go for the north coast or the south". The administrative capital of Brittany, Rennes is in the middle, it tends to be bypassed.
The north of Brittany
Although not actually in Brittany, the Mont Saint Michel attracts around a million visitors a year and is regularly cited as being in the top 20 attractions in all of France. It is just over the border from Brittany in Normandy but it is considered a major reason by many for a holiday in north Brittany.
The other key area in northern Brittany is the cote de granit Rose which stretches from Ploulec'h to Trévou Tréguignec. The delightful seaside town of Perros Guirec is at the heart of this area of great natural beauty and there are lovely coastal walks either side which offer beautiful views of the sea, sandy coves and the islands.
As well as being one of the most popular ports for arriving in this area of France, Saint Malo with its fortified town is a lovely place to visit. Nearby Dinard is charming and at Erquy there are beaches which have attracted folk from across the channel for generations. Out west the other channel ferry port of Roscoff is also steeped in history and has established itself as a seawater spa centre.
The south of Brittany
Southern Brittany benefits from the warm temperatures brought up with the gulf stream and consequently has a different vegetation from the north and a warmer sea. It also has a better sun record and is less prone to sea mist. So it has the edge on the north in that respect, though the knock on effect is that it is busier.
There are two distinct main areas, the Morbihan to the east and Finistere to the west. The Morbihan coast is more "broken" around Vannes and is a sailors paradise due to the numerous pretty islands and sheltered waters. The two main towns in the east are the beautiful historic port of Vannes and the thriving city of Nantes which also has an international airport. The old submarine pens in Saint Nazaire are just one of the attractions here, with the most famous being the ancient standing stones in Carnac which are on a par with Stonehenge in the UK in terms of archaeological importance.
The Finistere area in the west has a strong fishing heritage and it is well known for ultra fresh seafood, especially the cultivation of the Belon oyster. There are many who argue that for fresh fish and seafood this area offers the very best in the whole of France. The riverside city of Quimper with its majestic cathedral is the main centre of Finistere whilst Concarneau with its ancient cidadel is the principal fishing port. Around the western Finistere the surf becomes bigger as the sea rolls in uninterrupted onto wide, deep sandy beaches. The gothic churches and Celtic influence in places like Locronon are also of great interest in this area of Brittany.
Modern art has it's foundations in Pont Aven in south Brittany, it is here that Paul Gaugin was famously inspired to write to his friend Emile Shuffeneecker in 1887 " Un conseil, ne copiez pas trop d'après nature, l'art est une abstraction, tirez là de la nature en rêvant devant, et pensez plus à la création qu'au résultat. C'est le seul moyen de monter vers Dieu en faisant comme notre divin Maître, créer" imploring him to draw on the influences of nature as found there and be as creative and diverse as God.
Reflecting the popularity of the south of Brittany most of our holiday villas are in this area. If you would like advice on travel or what to see and do based on your requirements please ask, let us save you time and effort. Our range of self catering villas in Brittany has expanded gradually to over 100 properties, all of which are reliable in every sense. You can trust us with your holiday in Brittany, north or south.