Jagged coasts, lone lighthouses, granite ports and Celtic legends: Brittany is like no other region. Here is what to do in Brittany for a trip between sea and land.
Reaching furthest west in France, Brittany plunges into the Atlantic with 2,700 km of coastline, its islands and its wind-battered headlands. But the region is more than the sea: it is also a living Celtic culture, with a language, music and cuisine all its own. If you’re wondering what to do in Brittany, this guide gathers the essentials, from the pink granite coast to village crêperies.
Why visit Brittany?
Brittany charms with its variety: in a single day you go from a white-sand beach to a wild moor, from a busy port to a lonely chapel. The customs officers’ path (GR 34), which follows the entire coast for over 2,000 km, is one of Europe’s finest hiking trails. As for the weather, its changeability is part of the charm — locals say it’s sunny several times a day.
The region splits between Upper Brittany in the east (around Rennes and Saint-Malo) and Lower Brittany in the west (Finistère, the heart of Breton culture). Its four departments — Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère and Morbihan — each have their own character.
The coast and the islands
The pink granite coast
Between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden, the coast turns a surprising pink: huge blocks of granite sculpted by erosion frame the Ploumanac’h lighthouse, one of the most photographed in France. At sunset, the rock catches fire. It is the emblem of northern Brittany.
Wild headlands
At the tip of Finistère, the Pointe du Raz raises its cliffs against the raging ocean. A listed Grand Site de France, it offers a dizzying view over the Vieille lighthouse and the Île de Sein. To the north, the Pointe Saint-Mathieu with its abbey ruins is also worth the detour. Island lovers will find total escape on Belle-Île-en-Mer, Ouessant or Bréhat.
Historic towns
Saint-Malo the corsair city
Ringed by ramparts, Saint-Malo was the city of corsairs — sailors licensed by the king to attack enemy ships. Walking the ramparts gives a magnificent view over the bay and the forts standing in the water, such as the Fort National. At low tide you can walk out to the Grand Bé islet, where the writer Chateaubriand is buried.
Dinan, Quimper, Vannes and Concarneau
Inland, Dinan lines up its half-timbered houses above the Rance. Quimper, capital of Cornouaille, charms with its cathedral and faience pottery. Vannes watches over the Gulf of Morbihan, and Concarneau guards its Ville Close, a citadel set on an islet. These towns perfectly round out a coastal itinerary.
Breton culture and traditions
Brittany proudly nurtures its identity. The Breton language lives on in Diwan schools and bilingual signs. The fest-noz — night festivals where people dance in lines to the biniou and bombarde — are inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list. Pardons (religious processions) and carved calvaries still mark village life.
« In Brittany the sea is not a backdrop: it is a companion — sometimes harsh, always present. »
What to eat in Brittany
Breton food is generous. The savoury buckwheat galette and the sweet wheat crêpe reign, washed down with a good dry cider. Also try kouign-amann, a caramelised butter cake, the seafood of Cancale, far breton and salted-butter caramel. Read more in our piece on the Breton galette and crêpe.
- Hike the GR 34, the customs officers’ path
- Discover the most beautiful villages in France
- Learn about the lighthouses of Brittany
- Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, on the region’s doorstep
When to go and how to get around
The best season runs from May to September: long days and summer swimming. Spring brings splendid light and flowering moors, while autumn delights with spectacular storms (admired safely from the coast). Allow a week to explore a stretch of coast without rushing.
Getting around
A car offers the most freedom to follow the coast and reach the headlands. Rennes and the main cities are linked by TGV from Paris in 1.5 to 2 hours. For the islands, regular boats leave from Quiberon, Brest or Roscoff.
Practical tips for your trip
For a first visit, three bases cover the essentials without too much driving: Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast in the east, Quimper or Concarneau for Cornouaille, and the Perros-Guirec area for the pink granite coast. Expect a moderate budget off-season, higher in July–August, when it is vital to book accommodation and island crossings several weeks ahead. Pack waterproofs in any season: the weather changes fast, but showers are often brief. Always check the tide times before walking on the foreshore or out to an islet like the Grand Bé, as the sea comes in faster than you think. Seafood lovers should head for the oyster ports of Cancale or Riec-sur-Bélon. Finally, don’t over-plan: in Brittany, the finest discovery is often the chapel or cove you stumble upon by chance along a back road.
In short
Between sea, heritage and living traditions, Brittany offers a journey apart — both wild and warm. Continue with our directory of regions, browse cities to visit and map your route on the interactive map.
