Your French Connection | Spring into… Brittany

Brittany in the north west of France is one of those places that you just can’t help falling in love with. Go there once and we can almost guarantee – it won’t be the last time. So, what is it about Brittany (“Bretagne” in French) that’s so great?

Beautiful beaches of Brittany

Golden sands, dramatic cliffs, stunning views, secret islands…

The coastline of Brittany is 1200km long, jagged and indented with a multitude of bays and coves just waiting to be discovered. There are cliffs of red and grey, rocky jetties, wide seascapes – just think of Finistere (the Breton word for “the end of the world”). Take your pick from soft sands squishing between your toes to secretive inlets to day dream and islands where you’ll feel more like you’re in the Caribbean than Brittany. More on Brittany’s most beautiful beaches

Enticing towns

There are hundreds of beautiful towns in Brittany but Dinan is one of the prettiest. It’s not a big town but it has a big presence – medieval good looks, beautifully preserved houses, castle ramparts and a historic port. It’s quaint, friendly and it has a great vibe. The wiggly cobble stone streets that make you feel you’ve been transported back in time. Surrounded by ramparts dating back to the 13th and 15th centuries, guarded by a castle set 75 metres above the river Rance and its lovely port – it really is a jewel of a town. See the top things to do in Dinan.

Gastronomy and a craving for crepes

Cider and pancakes are what we mostly know Brittany for – but you’d be hard pushed to find better fish dishes anywhere else in France. Superb oysters , magnificent mussels, succulent crab, scallops and heaps more are plentiful. You may find a restaurant serving the Brittany version of the famous bouillabaisse known here as Cotriade. It’s actually not much like the southern fish stew at all being much simpler but equally delicious. Crepes though, are a way of life in Brittany and creperies are everywhere, eat them with cider late afternoon for a true flavour of Breton gastronomy.

Unique Culture

Festivals and folk lore…

In the hamlets, villages and little farms of Brittany, the old Celtic mystery and myths survive. It’s said that Brittany has seven thousand, seven hundred, seven score and seven saints – 7847. Legend has it that many were monks from Wales and Cornwall who travelled to Brittany with their villagers when the Anglo Saxons drove them out in the 5^th century BC. They bought their Celtic language and ways with them. Bretons seem to like nothing better than a good old singsong and dance and the traditional ways are strong here still. Check out what’s on when you’re in Brittany by popping to the local tourist office who will be happy to share details of the festivals and concerts that take place each year.

The wonderful pace of life

Whether you’re looking for tranquillity, activities, culture, history, great food and wine, beaches to lie on or gorgeous towns and villages to wander round – everything is here just waiting for you.