Welcome to cheery Brittany. Jagged coastlines, jagged cliffs and spectacular seascapes make this region ideal for outdoor recreation.
Its 2,700 kilometers of coastline dotted with small sandy beaches, cliffs and isolated islands are the perfect reason to visit.
But Brittany also has wonderful countryside and numerous historic towns.
In this land of legends, discover countless beautiful cities, such as enchanting Gasilia, known for its heritage of arts and crafts.
Historically, Brittany has had several capitals such as Dinan, Ploermel, Redon, Vitre, Guerand, etc.
The three largest cities were Vannes, Nantes and Rennes.
The Duchy of Brittany and the government were highly mobile, as each dynasty favored its own castles and estates, depending on the current conflict.
Today the official capital is the city of Rennes.
Brittany, a region occupying the rocky western part of France, is surrounded on three sides by a long (1,110 km) and varied coastline.
There are steep cliffs dotted with lighthouses, wide estuaries, islands and islets where bird life is protected, and picturesque harbors with a strong maritime tradition.
Many white sandy beaches and beautiful coves provide excellent swimming opportunities.
Sailing and windsurfing are popular, and some of the best scuba diving in France can be found here.
The climate here is mild due to the Gulf Stream, but the Atlantic Ocean exposure means winters can be wet, very windy and very cold.
The region is described as two lands: Armor, meaning "land of the sea," and Argoath, inland, meaning "land of the forest."
While the coast receives many visitors, much of the interior is unexplored and some parts are surprisingly remote and desolate.
For those venturing further inland, there are many great locations to be found, such as around Heulgoat, known for its enchanting woodlands, which is becoming increasingly popular with second home buyers.
The ideal way to explore inland Brittany is along its waterways.
Stone has always dominated the landscape of the region.
Stone circles and mysterious megaliths can be found throughout Brittany.
Houses in Brittany are built of traditional pink, gray and black stone with slate roofs.
The Côte de Granit Rose is particularly known as pink stone country, and the pink granite cliffs along the coast have been eroded into fantastic shapes.
For many years, the people of Brittany considered themselves to be residents of a country separate from France, and some still speak the Breton language.
Traditional Breton customs are most visible in the extreme western half of the peninsula, especially in Cornwall on the south-western tip.
Breton costume is often still worn on special occasions.
The eastern half (around Saint-Malo) has preserved little of the traditional way of life.
Brittany is known for its many local delicacies, with a particular love for oysters and mussels.
The town of Cancale is known as the oyster capital of Brittany because the special plankton that feeds the oysters grows in the bay, resulting in a high-quality production that has become famous throughout France.
Fresh oysters in France are usually not cooked, but served as is, fresh from the ocean, with a little lemon.
