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| Fireworks over Brest château |
A long, rugged coastline, vast bays of glorious beaches, and a secretive, almost mystical interior is the lasting impression of Brittany. This most westward region of France, where the Bretons speak their ancient language and carry on age-old traditions, always seems a little out of step with mainstream France, but the many attractions welcome visitors in their thousands year after year.
State of the Beaches
In December 1999, the oil tanker "Erika" sank off the Atlantic coast, dispersing her cargo of heavy fuel oil on to the beaches of southern Brittany and the Western Loire. A huge clean up operation took place throughout 2000 and all the beaches are now in satisfactory condition.
| Côtes-d'Armor |
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- Northern rugged coastline with steep cliffs - dotted with quaint, medieval towns
- Ancient ramparts and cobbled streets in the river port of Dinan
- Fans of Breton music head for St Brieuc in September for the music festival
...more about Côtes-d'Armor
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| Finistère |
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- Visit Océanopolis in Brest and the windy Ile d’Ouessant
- Attractive ferry port of Roscoff benefits from sandy beaches and is close to the Ile de Batz
- Quimper is famous for its pottery and fine gothic cathedral
...more about Finistère
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| Ille-et-Vilaine |
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- Dramatic ramparts and colourful pavement cafés in St Malo
- Regional capital, Rennes has an elegant old quarter with a huge Saturday market
- Superb oysters from Cancale and excellent golf in Dinard
...more about Ille-et-Vilaine
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| Morbihan |
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- "Little sea" in Breton the southern coast is mild, warmed by the Gulf Stream
- Medieval Vannes is famous for its interesting toy museum and butterfly house
- River port Auray with its narrow alleys has weekly Breton songs performances in summer
...more about Morbihan
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