If the Bretons are to be believed, Brittany is the eighth wonder of the world. But are they wrong? Here are 11 must-see things to do in Brittany!
Of course, you won’t go to Brittany for its warm waters or its blazing sun 365 days a year. Nevertheless, you’ll find wild coastlines jagged by wind and tide. You’ll discover endless beaches , wedged between greenery and turquoise ocean.
But you’ll also contemplate enchanted forests steeped in legend. You’ll smell iodine and the scent of the sea, and admire folklore and traditions as strong as they are joyful. You’ll taste culinary specialties that will take your breath away. And you’ll be partying the night away! So to all those who feel the call of the open sea, butter and cider, follow the guide. Here are the 11 must-do things to do in Brittany.
1. Visit Saint-Malo
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Visiting Brittany means strolling the cobbled streets of Saint Malo. Today, this rocky islet forms an almost unbelievable island. This ancient city is home to historical treasures whose beauty will never be altered by the fog.
A parapet walk, a fortified tower, a harbor, locks and a speedboat landing stage. The statue of Chateaubriand and Surcouf, a church steeple, the Grande Plage. Fishermen unloading fresh fish, the horizon dotted with white sails, prestigious malouinières. Homeland of sailors and privateers, land of illustrious writers and impregnable fortress of the past. As you can see, Saint-Malo has incredible charm.
2. Walking on the Pink Granite Coast
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Among the unmissable things to do in Brittany, seaside strolls easily top the podium! However, the most beautiful of these walks is to be found in the Côtes-d’Armor region. Follow the côte de Granit Rose trail(see itinerary), between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden, to discover landscapes as sumptuous as they are astonishing.
Copper, flamboyant, pink, the rocks by the water plunge the landscape into a romantic, poetic mood. The light and mood change, but remain beautiful. Photographers and nature lovers flock to admire these shades of color enhanced by surprising rocks. They are sculpted by the tide and surprisingly piled up, as if suspended in the void.
The Pink Granite Coast can also be seen from the island of Bréhat: THE paradise of the Côtes-d’Armor.
3. A boat trip
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One of the must-do activities during your stay in Brittany is a boat trip!
In fact, this boat trip will enable you to explore the Côtes-d’Armor or the emblematic islands of Ouessant, for example. Renting a boat will give you an unforgettable experience on the Breton coast. It’s the perfect way to admire the beauty of the coastline!
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for a skipper on board, so you can make the most of your trip with the experience of a professional.
Find a boat to rent in Brittany
4. Drink and eat, again and again
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Anna Hoychuk
Brittany’s culinary identity is strong and well-established. We’re here to enjoy ourselves, to cultivate the products of the soil and the sea and… to keep the butter and cider industry going. But one thing’s for sure: the most gourmand among us adore Breton cuisine.
So what’s on offer in Brittany? Try buckwheat crêpes and galettes. Especially those with sausage. Taste fars with prunes or meat. Finish on a high note with a Kouign-amann topped with butter and sugar. Spread EVERYTHING with salted butter or salted butter caramel. Set up on the seafront with a platter of shellfish. Dare to try the andouille de Guémené, then treat yourself to a palet breton as a snack. Finally, wash it all down with cider!
5. Discover the Broceliande forest
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What can you do in Brittany if you love nature and legends? Explore the mysterious forest of Broceliance! Just a few kilometers from Rennes, the legends of the fairy Viviane, King Arthur, Merlin the magician and the knight Lancelot live on. To enter this natural palace and gaze into its miraculous lakes and fountains, you actually have to go to the Paimpont forest(see hiking trails).
The magical quest begins at the gates of the village of the same name and continues at the edge of the Comper pond and its castle. Visit the enigmatic Grail church and the famous Val-sans-retour. Then, let us take you on a storytelling walk through the forest, to discover Merlin’s tomb, the Guillotin oak and the Fountain of Youth.
6. La pointe du Raz
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Igor Plotnikov
At the tip of Finistère stands a wild, impassive landscape that looks like the end of the world. The Pointe du Raz, located in Cap Sizun, juts out into the sea and appears to be the most remote piece of land. It’s a must-do walk in Brittany(see itinerary).
Classified as an exceptional site, this is a place of strikingly wild and solitary beauty. The jagged, water-worn cliffs are the backdrop to an incredible natural world of changing colors. The Pointe du Raz is dotted with moorland and a flora and fauna capable of surviving extreme conditions. When you reach the end of the path lined with sharp rocks, there’s nothing left but the ocean. You’re a tiny spectator of nature’s turmoil. Beneath your feet thunder the ceaseless crash of monstrous waves.
7. Getting close to the menhirs of Carnac
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Claudio Giovanni Colombo
If the Carnac alignments are one of the must-see things to do in Brittany, it’s because they’re world-famous. Menhirs may make you think of Obélix first, but they’re still one of Brittany’s most distinctive features.
This Celtic land is home to an incredible number of dolmens and menhirs. These enigmatic rocks stand proudly in the fields. The menhirs of Carnac, in southern Morbihan, number 3,000! These alignments trace strange paths through the wild grasses, inviting you to take a contemplative stroll(see layout). These Neolithic temples can be visited in three or four hours.
8. Stroll through medieval villages
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Dinan and Rochefort-en-terre, for example, are among those historic villages that seem to have stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Here, old half-timbered houses resemble dolls’ houses. As you wander through the old-fashioned, flower-decked cobbled streets, you’ll come across priceless historic monuments.
To visit Brittany and grasp snippets of its rich history, you need to take your time. The medieval villages of Brittany invite you to do just that. Stroll along slowly, like a long journey back in time. Stop for a crêpe and simply gaze at life as it passes peacefully by. In the evening, head for the lively ports and enjoy a drink at the foot of a corbelled building.
In the same style, visit Locronan, a small village perched high above the Bay of Douarnenez. Discover the cobblestone streets, old wells, beautiful granite houses and unique church.
9. Sailing from island to island
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alexander Demyanenko
What can you do in Brittany if you’re a sailor? Why not take a tour of some of these iconic and stunningly beautiful islands?
- Ouessant Island: located near Brest, this island was originally known as a cemetery for shipwrecked sailors. Nowadays, a trip to Ouessant brings you face to face with an authentic medieval village and striking wilderness.
- Belle-île en mer: an extension of Quiberon, this island lives up to its name. If you want to visit Brittany from an island, this one offers a fabulous range of activities and scenery. Belle-île is rich in history, heritage and culture. Architecture and nature have a thousand faces: photogenic fishing ports, colorful houses, heather moors and wild beaches. But there are also dunes bordering shady valleys, lighthouses standing watch over the turquoise ocean and steep granite coves.
- Houat and Hoëdic: wilder and more private than the other islands. Here, we speak of villages. Islanders ride and work in carts. Ships’ hulls form sparkling ears. We savor freshly landed shellfish. We enter houses with blue shutters encircled by whitewashed walls. Finally, you follow the sandy paths without ever crossing an asphalt road.
10. The Monts d’Arrée
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Herby
Like so many other lands dotted with legends, a breeding ground for tales and heroes, this region is said to be home to Yeun Ellez, the gates to the beyond. Sandwiched between the Pays de Léon and Cornouaille, the Monts d’Arrée lie at the heart of Finistère, a territory inhabited by the Osismes before the Roman invasion. They inhabited the known « end of the world », the « fine earth » that gave Finistère its name. They also welcome the transhumance of hundreds of Scottish Black Faces ewes to preserve the biodiversity of the « Menez Are ».
11. Barnenez cairn
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pavlina Basarova
Located in Plouezoc’h, on the Kernéléhen peninsula, this cairn is even older than the Kerloas menhir. This « Parthenon of the Bretons », as André Malraux dubbed it, totals almost 3,000 square metres of stone! From the Barnenez site, you’ll have a superb panoramic view of the Térénez cove and the Bay of Morlaix.
Our Breton workshop
Photo credit: WeCanDoo
Come and discover Yvonnick’s charming oyster farm in Brittany! For €20, this passionate oyster farmer will show you around his park.
He’ll explain his different oyster farms, as well as the techniques for raising, preserving and tasting them. You’ll continue your visit with a tasting of the region’s finest oysters, accompanied by a delicious white wine on the pleasant terrace of the guinguette.
A must-see workshop in Brittany!
How to get to Brittany
Decided to visit Brittany? The quickest way to get there is by plane. There are plenty of options, as the region has six airports. To find your flight at the best price, don’t hesitate to use a flight comparator like Ulysse.
Otherwise, Brittany is very well served by train. Rennes, Saint-Malo, Brest and Quimper all have train stations with services from all over France. From Paris, Lille or Lyon, you’ll find direct lines to Brittany.
Last but not least, you can reach Brittany by car, in particular by carpooling, or by bus. There are bus connections from many of France’s major cities.
Where to stay in Brittany?
It all depends on your wishes and your itinerary.
Would you like to see all our must-sees in Brittany? Road-trips and frequent changes of accommodation are the way to go.
Alternatively, seaside villages and major cities such as Brest, Rennes, Morlaix and Saint-Malo offer access to many corners of Brittany.
In any case, the range of accommodations is endless: hotels, villas, gites, Airbnb, campsites, unusual lodgings. To find your way around, use a hotel comparator, for example.
Now it’s time to pack your bags and head for Brittany!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Brittany