Imagine rose-hued rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, rolling green hills peppered with dolmens - ancient burial stones - and a sky speared with medieval church spires. The unique landscape of Brittany was to inspire many an artist, including Marc Chagall and Paul Gauguin.
A promontory which reaches into the Atlantic ocean, Brittany as a region is very much focused on the sea and all things marine. As well as delicious seafood, this includes sailing, fishing and surfing, and you may be surprised to learn that it was the Bretons who invented windsurfing, land-surfing and kite-surfing: the ideal place to try this out is on the wild beaches of the Côte Sauvage. For a more family-friendly visit explore the sheltered and tranquil shores of the Gulf of Morbihan, near
Vannes. In the charming town of Vannes itself you’ll find boats bobbing in the old port, right in the medieval town centre.
Nantes, on the Loire river, is known as the Venice of the West. It boasts a plethora of museums, and its white stone gothic cathedral, which took 457 years to build, is a must-see.
More in
Brittany Guide