Bretagne

This is an article undoubtedly made with love.

Brittany (Bretagne), a peninsula surrounded by the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, with more than 2,700 km of coastline, or a third of the French coastline, is not only a place of peace, calm, vast water, silence, fishing, salt, and beaches as far as the eye can see; it is, above all, one of the regions of my ancestors.

It takes you on a journey through the stories of the ocean and its fishermen, but also its dialect and Celtic and Druidic traditions.

It is a place of power where man is alone facing the strength and immensity of its vast waters, where he can lose himself and find himself.

Degemer mat !

(*Welcome in in Breton language)

Everything you need to know.

Brittany is made up of four departments: Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Morbihan.

The photos were taken in Morbihan, from its gulf to its islands.

It enjoys an oceanic climate, characterized by its mildness and humidity, marked by great variability, notably the alternation of rain, showers, and clear spells.
As France's leading agri-food hub, its region is asserting itself in renewable marine energies, thanks to its unique culture, deeply linked to the sea, oral traditions and its insular character.

Among the most famous places in Brittany, you have undoubtedly heard of the bay of Mont Saint-Michel and the forest of Brocéliande.

There are fifteen emblematic places.

Let's discover them together, and don't forget to identify them on your map , so you won't miss anything in this region.

The bay of Mont Saint Michel : It is said that here, the sea rises at the speed of a galloping horse, these are the highest tides in Europe. A magnificent natural setting, between land and sea, in the middle of oyster and mussel beds, or even in medieval alleys, this site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The forest of Broceliande : Who hasn't heard of the legend of King Arthur? It originates in the magnificent forest of Brocéliande, between moors and ponds. The mere mention of this place awakens a wonderful world populated by the fairy Viviane, Merlin the enchanter, and the knight Lancelot. A magical site to discover during beautiful hikes.
The Quiberon peninsula : With a spectacular wild coastline to the west and beautiful sandy beaches to the east, the Quiberon Peninsula offers a variety of landscapes spanning 14 kilometers that immediately captivate. One of the most popular seaside resorts in Brittany, it is also the starting point for trips to Belle-Île, Houat, and Hoëdic.
The Gulf of Morbihan : “Mor bihan”… the little sea, in Breton. Here we no longer really know if it’s the ocean that has entered the countryside or the other way around. Bright lights, islands and islets as if it were raining, pretty seaside houses… the Gulf of Morbihan, the pearl of southern Brittany, labeled a Regional Natural Park.
The Carnac alignments : The town has 3 sites in 1! There are of course the famous megalithic fields, to be admired in the low light of the morning or the end of the day with menhirs that sprout like mushrooms (It is one of the most extraordinary concentrations of standing stones existing in the world). The most impressive alignments are those of Menec, Kerlescan and Kermario. Alongside them, we find the tumulus of Saint Michel and the giant of Manio, a 6.50 m high menhir. There is the village, where everyone meets on market days. And Carnac-plage, oscillating between opulent villas, maritime pines and fine sand. Carnac is one of the sunniest coasts in Brittany.
Pont-Aven : This small town, nestled in the verdant Aven estuary, owes its fame to the school of painters whose master was Gauguin. In search of savings and "exotic" subjects, painters flocked to Pont-Aven from 1860 onwards. Strolling along the ria, crossing the footbridges, it is easy to imagine the artists fascinated by the poetry of the landscapes and the luminosity of the small port.
Dinan : Surrounded by nearly three kilometers of ramparts, the town of Dinan and its 14th-century castle proudly overlook the Rance River. Below, the small marina is the starting point for beautiful walks along the estuary, while up above, the corbelled houses complete the visit to this town with its medieval charm.
Concarneau : It's hard to resist this jewel of a walled town, nestled within its fortifications in the heart of Concarneau and one of the most beautiful bays in Bretagne (Brittany). However, as you escape its coastal paths and narrow streets, other charms are revealed, in its fishing port or on its beaches.
The Caps of Erquy-Fréhel : Pink sandstone cliffs, wild moors and beaches, pine forests, emerald sea and characterful villages.
The Abers and the lighthouse route (the largest concentration of lighthouses in Europe: also known as the Coast of Legends. Here, the sea meets a wild coastline and the tide penetrates lush greenery. Majestic lighthouses guard the entrance to these havens of peace, open to hikers and boaters alike.
The Pink Granite Coast : North of Lannion, the Pink Granite Coast is famous for its colorful rocks with poetic shapes. A paradise for birds and walkers, it sculpts the coastline with a thousand and one mineral finds. Here, a shark. There, a rabbit. And here's a turtle, a witch... On the Pink Granite Coast, we have fun personifying the fanciful silhouettes of the rocks that mark the coastal path.
Camaret-sur-mer and Crozon : Forming a gigantic cross in the Iroise Sea, the Crozon Peninsula offers a condensed version of Brittany. Its landscapes alternate between spectacular cliffs, heather moors, turquoise waters, and gentle beaches. Starting points for discovery: the pretty ports of Camaret or Morgat.
Pointe du Raz – Cap Sizun : Sensations on a grand scale, with a parade of capes and promontories that brave the open sea.
Pointe Saint-Mathieu : Steep cliffs swept by the winds and the sea, an imposing lighthouse watching over the ruins of an ancient abbey... Here, the charm works.
Brittany Canals : A long ribbon of nearly 600 km, ideal for fishing, walking, and discovering remarkable sites and landscapes. The best way to enjoy this route is to sail along the water, docking wherever the mood takes you.

The essence of this region

The contrast between the beauty and variety of fine sandy beaches and their emptiness is always surprising to me. It is even more advantageous and valuable to enjoy them. The fact is that Bretagne (Brittany) is a region that is primarily rural, boasting wild landscapes and cold water (currently at 16 degrees Celsius). This tranquility and secrecy are a rarity in the touristic South of France.

My family particularly enjoy living in the Gulf of Morbihan region.

If you want to discover its beauty in all its splendor, the most beautiful trip is to visit its three islands:

Belle-Île, the largest;
Houat, the middle island;
and Hoedic, the smallest.

The photos below are mainly those taken on Houat Island, our favorite.

Boats depart from the mainland, the town of Quiberon. Some choose to explore the islands by boat in a day, while others choose to spend a week there and explore them on foot.
I like to disappear there for at least a week.

On the island of Houat, there is a nice hotel with only a few rooms offering an ocean view and a bucolic atmosphere called "Hôtel des Iles".

There's almost no internet, and it's a real break and a return to the source and the happiness of the sweet, earthly life of the islands in summer.

La Bretagne offers a rich and diverse cuisine dominated by buckwheat, salted butter (star product which can be found in many pastries, such as fondant baulois, and can also be enjoyed plain), and seafood.

Must-try specialties include :

Crêpes and galettes. A signature dish, buckwheat pancakes can be filled with ham, cheese or egg, while wheat crepes are often served with fruit and caramel.
Kouign-Amann. This pastry, whose name means "butter cake" in Breton, is very rich in butter and sugar, offering a sweet and salty taste and a melting texture.
Far breton (prune cake). A traditional dessert, this dense prune cake is a staple on Breton tables.
Plougastel strawberries for dessert.
On the savory side, there's a wide variety of,
Seafood. Bretagne is renowned for the freshness of its seafood, notably Cancale oysters, Loctudy langoustines and scallops.
Charcuterie such as Guéméné andouille (a smoked pork-based charcuterie),
And iconic products like Guérande salt and seaweed, the taste identity of Breton cuisine.