The 11 essential things to do in Brittany

If we believe the Bretons, Brittany would be the eighth wonder of the world. That said, are they wrong? Here are 11 things to do in Brittany!

Of course, you will not go to Brittany for its hot water or sun plumbing 365 days a year. Nevertheless, you will find the wild coasts shredded in winds and tides. You will discover them beaches endless, stuck between greenery and the turquoise ocean.

But you will also contemplate the enchanted and enveloped forests of legends. You will feel the iodine and marine effluves and admire a folklore and traditions as strong as joyous. You'll taste amazing culinary specialties. Finally, you will be partying until the end of the night! So to all those who feel the call of the broad, butter and cider, follow the guide. Here are the 11 essential things to do in Brittany.

1. Visit Saint-Malo

To visit Brittany, it’s nice to walk on the paved streets of Saint Malo. This rocky islet forms today an incredible almost island. This ancient city contains historical treasures, none of which can ever alter beauty.

A round path, a fortified tower, a port, locks and a starboard. The statue of Chateaubriand and that of Surcouf, the bell tower of a church, the Grande Plage. The fishermen who unload fresh fish, the horizon plunged with white sails, prestigious malignant fish. Patrie des sailors et des corsaires, lands of illustrious writers and fortress of the past. You understood it, Saint-Malo has an incredible charm.

2. Walking on the Côte de Granit Rose

Among the unmistakable activities to be done in Brittany, the seaside rides arrive easily on the podium! Nevertheless, the most beautiful of these walks is in the Côtes-d’Armor. Follow the trail of the Granit Rose coast, between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden, to discover landscapes as sumptuous and amazing.

Copper, flamboyant, pink, rocks by the water immerse the landscape in a romantic and poetic atmosphere. Light and mood change but remain beautiful. Photographers and nature lovers walk to admire these hues with surprising rocks. They are carved by the tide and surprisingly buried, as suspended in the void.

The coast of Granit Rose is also visible from the island of Bréhat: the paradise of the Côtes-d’Armor.

3. A boat ride

A must-see during your stay in Brittany is for sure a boat ride!

Indeed, this boat ride will allow you to explore the Côtes-d’Armor or the iconic islands such as Ouessant. So, rent a boat will allow you to experience an unforgettable experience on the Breton coasts. A great idea of escapade to admire the beauty of the coastline!

Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for the presence of a skipper on board to make the most of your ride with a professional experience.

4. Drink and eat, again and again

The culinary identity of Brittany is strong and well anchored. We are here to make fun, cultivate the products of the soil and the sea and... make the industry work butter and cider. But one thing is sure, the most greedy of us love Breton cuisine.

So what do we do in Brittany? Taste the pancakes and cakes with black wheat. Especially those with sausage. Taste stuff with plums or meat. Finish beautifully by a Kouign-amann with butter and sugar. Tarnish ALL with salted butter or salted caramel. Set up on the seafront with a tray of shells and crustaceans. Dare Guémené’s frog, then give yourself a Breton palet to taste. Finally, water it all with cider!

5. Discover the forest of Broceliande

What to do in Brittany when you love nature and legends? Walk through the mysterious forest of Broceliance! A few kilometers away Rennes still live the legends of the fairy Viviane, King Arthur, Merlin the enchanting and knight Lancelot. To penetrate this natural palace, plunge its gaze into its miraculous lakes and fountains, it is in fact necessary to go to the Paimpont forest.

The magical quest thus begins at the gates of the village of the same name and continues at the edge of the pond of Comper and its castle. Visit also the enigmatic church of the Grail and the famous Val-sans-retour. Then, let yourself take a walk in the forest, discovering the tomb of Merlin, the Guillotin oak and the fountain of Jouvence.

6. Raz's tip

At the tip of Finistère stands, impassible and wild, a landscape that looks like the end of the world. The tip of the Raz, located in Cap Sizun, is on the sea and seems to be the farthest part of the land. Here is another must-see ride in Brittany.

Classified as an exceptional site, this place is of a striking wild and solitary beauty. The cliffs cut and worn by water are the scene of an incredible nature with changing colors. The tip of the raz is enamelled with a landscape of land, fauna and flora that can survive extreme conditions. When you arrive at the end of the path lined with sharp rocks, there is only the ocean. You are the tiny spectator of an agitated nature. Underneath your feet, you've got the fracas incessantly of monstrous waves.

7. Approach Carnac's menhirs

If Carnac’s alignments are among the unavoidable things to do in Brittany, it is indeed because they are world-famous. Maybe the menhirs make you think first of all Obélix , there is no less a strong specificity of Brittany.

This Celtic land houses an incredible amount of dolmens and menhirs. These enigmatic rocks stand proudly in the fields. Now we don't know how much... The menhirs of Carnac, in the south of Morbihan, are 3,000! These alignments draw strange paths among the wild herbs and invite you to a contemplative walk. These neolithic temples are visited in three or four hours.

8. Spread in medieval villages

Dinan and Rochefort-en-terre, for example, are part of these historic villages that seem straight out of a fairy tale. Here, old dove houses look like doll houses. Through the paved, obsolete and flowery alleys, you are on invaluable historical monuments.

To visit Brittany and capture the fragments of his busy History, you have to take time. This is exactly what invites you to do the medieval Breton villages. Slowly, like a long journey in time. Stop eating a crêpe and simply look at life that flows peacefully. In the evening, win the busy ports and drink a drink at the foot of an encorbellment establishment.

In the same style, visit Locronan, a small village raised on the heights of Douarnenez Bay. Discover this city of character through its paved, its old wells, its beautiful granite houses and its unique church.

9. Sailing islands in islands

What to do in Brittany when you have the marine blood? Well, why not turn around some of these emblematic and subjugating islands of beauty?

• Ouessant Island: located near Brest, this island was first known as a wrecked cemetery. Today, an escapade on the island of Ouessant brings you to the encounter of an authentic medieval village and a wild and striking nature.
• Beautiful island at sea : An extension of Quiberon, this island bears its name. If you want to visit Brittany from an island, it will offer you a fabulous range of activities and decors. Belle Island is rich in history, heritage and culture. Architecture and nature have a thousand faces: photogenic fishing ports, colorful houses, noisy moorings and wild beaches. But also, dunes adjacent to the shady vallons, vigy light on the turquoise ocean and steep granite handles.
• Houat and Hoëdic: wilder and confidential than other islands. Here we're talking about town. The islanders walk and work in carrioles. The hulls of the ships form sparkling ears. We taste the crustaceans straight out. We enter houses with blue shutters surrounded by white lime walls. Finally, you follow the trails marked without ever crossing the asphalt road.

10. Les Monts d’Arrée

Like so many other lands sprinkled with legends, land for tales and heroes, this area would house the Yeun Ellez, the doors of the beyond. The Monts d’Arrée are located in the heart of the Finistère, a territory where the Osisms lived before the Roman invasion. They then lived the known "end of the world", the « fine earth » which gave the name of the Finistère. They also welcome the transhumance of hundreds of Scottish Black Faces in order to preserve the biodiversity of "Menez Are".

11. Barnenez's cairn

Located in Plouezoc’h, on the Kernéléhen peninsula, this cairn is even older than the Kerloas Menhir. This « Parthenon des Bretons », as the nickname André Malraux, counts almost 3000 square meters of stones! From the Barnenez site you will have a superb panorama of the Anise of Trenez and the Bay of Morlaix.

Our workshop Breton

Thanks to this workshop in Brittany, discover the charming oyster park of Yvonnick! For 20 € , this enthusiast, who lives in contact with oysters forever, will make you discover his park.

He will explain his various oyster farms and the techniques to raise, preserve and taste them. You will continue your visit with a tasting of the best oysters in the region, all accompanied by a delicious white wine on the very pleasant terrace of the guinguette.

A workshop to be discovered in Brittany!

How do I go to Brittany?

Decided to visit Brittany? The aircraft remains the fastest way to get there. There are many opportunities as the region has six airports. In order to find your flight at the best price, feel free to use a flight comparison like Ulysses .

Otherwise, Brittany is very well served by train. Rennes, Saint-Malo, Brest or Quimper have a train station with lines from all over France. From Paris , Lille or Lyon , you will find direct lines to Brittany.

Finally, it is quite possible to reach Brittany by car or by bus. There are coach connections from many major cities in France.

Where to stay in Brittany?

All this depends on your desires and your itinerary.

Want to realize all our must-see in Brittany? The road trip and frequent housing changes are therefore to be preferred.

Otherwise, seaside villages or flagship cities like Brest , Rennes , Morlaix or Saint-Malo allow to radiate in many corners of Brittany.

In all cases, the range of accommodation is infinite: hotels, villas, lodgings, Airbnb , campsites, unusual accommodations. To find you there, help yourself, for example, with one Compare hotels .

Now it's time to pack, head to Brittany!