Guide to Brittany

The Region of Brittany: Steeped in Tradition

A favoured destination for many, its 600 km of fine, sandy coastline curves around the north-western tip of France, with fertile countryside and small market towns. The Breton people are hardy, down-to-earth and friendly. They remain close to the land, the sea and their culture. Breton is spoken in some areas and local traditions are upheld at the many festivals and fest noz.

Culinary Favourites

The region is known for its excellent seafood, sweet crepes and tasty savoury buckwheat pancakes, fresh cider, 'galettes' biscuits and buttery Kouign-Amman cake. It offers a various sports including sailing, windsurfing, fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Land of History and Legends

Known by the Celts as Armorica, the 'land of the sea', Brittany has a long and lively past and deep Celtic roots. Prehistoric megaliths (standing stones) rise up from the ground around Carnac and it is said that young King Arthur received the sword of Excalibur from the fairy Vivian in the Paimpont Forest, 40 km south of Rennes. Half-timbered buildings characterise the bustling, medieval towns of Vannes, Dinan and Rennes, while the castles and fortresses of Saint-Malo, Fougères and Vitré bear witness to Brittany’s strategic location.

Dynamic and Creative

The region has attracted many artists, and the lovely town of Pont-Aven is lined with galleries that display the works of painters from the past and present. From cornfields to oyster beds, woodland walks to long sandy beaches, modern shipping ports to charming, historical towns, there is something for everyone in this varied and dynamic region. Rennes, situated in Ille-et-Villaine, has been Brittany’s capital since the 16th century. Home to the Breton Houses of Parliament, it is a hive of cultural activity nurtured by the large student population.

Coastal Paradise

The department of Côtes-d'Armor on the northern shore is lined with seaside resorts, pink granite coves and traditional fishing ports. Morbihan on the southern coast is backed by wooded river valleys and has a gentler feel and a milder climate. Exposed to the rough Atlantic winds, Finistère in the west has drama. The name means 'the end of the Earth'!

Facts and Figures

• Capital city: Rennes
• Population: 3.3 million (around 5% of France's population which is approx. 68 million)
• Area: 27,208 square kilometres (approx 10,505 sq. miles, about 5% of France's total area
• Density: About 121 inhabitants per sq. kilometre, above France’s national average of 106

Tourism Information

• Number of Tourists per Year: Approximately 12 million
• Km of Coastline: Approximately 2,700 km
• Highest Peak: The highest point is Tuchenn Gador (384 meters) in the Monts d'Arrée
• Average Sunshine Hours per Year: Around 1,800 hours
• Châteaux in the Region: Approximately 300–400 châteaux, notably Château de Josselin (Morbihan), Château de Fougères (Ille-et-Vilaine) and Château de Suscinio (Morbihan)
• Most Famous Landmark: Mont Saint-Michel (shared with Normandy)
• Golf Courses in the Region: About 40 golf courses

Getting to Brittany

The main cities are Rennes, Brest, Quimper, Lorient, and Saint-Malo. They can be accessed using the road network (motorways, national and departmental roads), the train network, or by air. Here's a list of the region's airports and main train stations.

Airports

• Rennes–Saint-Jacques Airport
• Brest Bretagne Airport
• Lorient South Brittany Airport
• Quimper-Cornouaille Airport
• Dinard–Pleurtuit–Saint-Malo Airport

Main Train Stations

• Rennes Station
• Brest Station
• Quimper Station
• Lorient Station
• Saint-Malo Station

Regional Tourist Hotspots

• Mont Saint-Michel (shared with Normandy)
• Saint-Malo
• Dinard
• Cancale
• Rennes
• Brest
• Quimper
• Pont-Aven
• Carnac
• The Gulf of Morbihan

National Parks

• Parc naturel régional d'Armorique

Regional Nature Parks

• Parc naturel régional du Golfe du Morbihan

UNESCO Sites in the Region

• Paimpont Forest (part of the legendary Brocéliande Forest)

Economic Information

• Economic Strength: Brittany has a diverse economy with strengths in agriculture, fishing, tourism and technology, making it a significant contributor to France's economy.
• Gross Domestic Product: Approx €80 billion (2022) which is around 3-4% of France's GDP.
• Economy: Services approx 70% (tourism, healthcare andeEducation, transport and logistics), Industry approx 20% (agri-food, shipbuilding and maritime industry, and technology and electronics); and agriculture and fishing approx 10% (pork and poultry production and significant dairy production. Brittany is a leader in the fishing industry.
• Unemployment Rate: Approximately 7.0% (France’s national rate = 7.2%)
• Universities and Grandes Écoles: Notable institutions include the University of Rennes, University of Western Brittany (Brest), University of Southern Brittany (Lorient), and the University of Bretagne-Sud (Vannes).
• Regional Specialties: Brittany is renowned for its seafood, including oysters, scallops, and mussels, as well as its crêpes, galettes, cider, and the famous Kouign-Amann pastry. The region is known for its dairy products, particularly butter and cheese.

Bienvenue in Brittany

Brittany is a land rich in spirit, where history, art, culture, and nature coexist harmoniously with all today's modern conveniences. Shopping opportunities are plentiful and easily accessible. Transportation is fast and convenient with Paris being less than two hours away by train from Rennes. Ferries run from the ports of Roscoff and Saint-Malo to the UK, and there is an excellent network of free dual carriageways throughout this beautiful and magic region of France.

Click on the links on this page to learn about a specific department, use our handy draw map to narrow your search and browse through our properties in Brittany.