Why Brittany Is Worth Visiting on Your Trip to France

After moving to France, we really took our time in planning a trip to Brittany. We weren’t even that far from it. It’s about a four-hour drive to Saint-Malo from our home base, and Normandy, which isn’t that much closer, got multiple trips before we pulled the trigger.

I think we were distracted by the more well-traveled destinations around France that we hadn’t visited yet. You tend to want to see the biggies before you go off the beaten path, even though the more unique experiences are often the most special.

After spending a few weeks on the road in the region, I’m convinced that no other region in France will beat it in terms of the quality of travel you can have here. It’s our new favorite for a reason, and I’ll be sharing all of that with you here. I’m a giver that way.

Is Brittany worth visiting?

Brittany is worth visiting as a less crowded alternative to France’s beach destinations. It’s incredibly scenic, perfect for hiking, with a great food and cider scene. Its historical offerings take this one over the top as an essential road trip destination in France.

We were lucky enough to spend a few weeks in Brittany, but we wouldn’t have needed that much time to recognize the charm and vibrancy of this place.

See a quick clip of just some of what we experienced:

Its coastline is wild…literally.

Brittany boasts over 1,700 miles of coastline, and some of the most striking is along the Côte Sauvage, or Wild Coast, on the Quiberon Peninsula. Unlike the glamour of the French Riviera, Brittany’s coasts are rugged and untamed, just like me. 

This region is then perfect for hikers, surfers, and anyone who loves experiencing the power of the sea. Even in the summer months, when people do actually hit the beaches here, much of Brittany’s coast remains pretty wild and raw.

Brittany’s heritage is unique.

It’s its own thing.

Unlike much of France, Brittany shares cultural roots with Celtic lands like Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. That’s because the region was settled by folks fleeing Anglo-Saxon invasions in the Early Middle Ages.

Breton, a Celtic language still spoken in parts of the region, shapes the names of places in the region and local festivals.

We weren’t lucky enough to attend a festival, but we did see troupes of bagpipe players during our trip that made us feel like we were reliving our Scotland trip. 

Brittany’s megalithic sites speak to the region’s ancient spiritual practices, too.

It’s home to Carnac, a Stonehenge upgrade.

Now that we’ve been to both ancient sites back-to-back, I can say with confidence that Stonehenge has got nothing on Carnac.

Carnac is home to thousands of Neolithic standing stones arranged in enigmatic rows, compared to the few that remain at Stonehenge. Dating back over 6,000 years, these alignments predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. 

As with Stonehenge, a place that was definitely (maybe) placed there by aliens (I think), theories abound about the purpose of the site. It could have been a series of ritual sites or astronomical calendars. Maybe it was meant for burial markers.

Whatever their original purpose, the atmosphere is powerful and serves as an excellent example of Brittany’s deep past. You can walk around them for free, too!

Its history also involves pirates.

Brittany’s coastal history is steeped in tales of pirates and privateers, reflecting its strategic position along the Atlantic.

During the Middle Ages and into the early modern period, Breton sailors were known for raids on foreign ships, often targeting English and Dutch vessels. 

Ports like Saint-Malo became notorious pirate strongholds, blending commerce with maritime lawlessness, and I love that for Brittany.

Fun fact: These seafarers, or corsairs, operated under local authority, legitimizing their exploits while boosting the region’s wealth. The rich have always been scheming!

Brittany’s pirate legacy is still obvious today in fortified harbors, museums, and festivals celebrating the spirit of its maritime past.

Brittany is less crowded than other French regions.

This was one of our favorite things about Brittany. Even in the more popular towns, like Quimper and Saint-Malo, an essential stop here, it never felt too crowded. Compared to destinations like Provence or the Riviera, it was downright tranquil.

Note: We visited in the summer, by the way, not in the off-season. It just doesn’t get that busy here!

While Parisians love to come here in August, it’s still not that big among tourists. The need for a car to drive around the region may be a reason for that, but Brittany’s relative quiet makes this one pretty easy to navigate on a road trip.

Brittany is ideal for travelers seeking authentic France, where locals still frequent fish and oyster markets and traditions aren’t packaged for mass tourism. 

That doesn’t mean it’s never fancy, of course. Dinard is known for its resort vibes, but still not as crowded as towns in the South of France!

READ MORE: Planning a summer trip to France? I have a guide to everything you need to know for a solid visit.

Brittany’s lighthouses remind me of Maine.

Brittany’s relationship with the sea is defined by its dramatic lighthouses, much like the state of Maine back in the United States.

It’s a big reason why I was so drawn to Maine, honestly. Lighthouses make coastal towns so much more atmospheric. 

Some of the most popular are Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse on Pointe Saint-Mathieu and Phare de l’Île Vierge near Plouguerneau.

Note: If you’re traveling through the nearby Loire-Atlantique region, another gem, we also loved Phare du Tréhic at the end of a pier in Le Croisic.

The Pink Granite Coast is dazzling. 

Even if you’re not there at sunset, when the colors are really popping, Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast is a dazzler. 

The Côte de Granit Rose got all rose-colored from high concentrations of feldspar in the granite. These minerals often appear pink or reddish with an even warmer glow at sunrise and sunset. 

We experienced a stretch along the Sentier des Douaniers trail from Perros-Guirec. Plenty of rest stops along the way allow you to take a break and enjoy the view, especially when the weather is cooperating. 

READ MORE: The Pink Granite Coast is on my list of the most beautiful places in Brittany. Check out the rest!

It’s a haven for outdoor adventure.

If you’re an active traveler, you’ll want to make it a point to hike some of the Sentier des Douaniers I mentioned above. This is the GR34, over 1,100 miles of trails from Mont-Saint-Michel to the Saint-Nazaire bridge along the Breton coastline.

We tackled pieces here and there along the way, oftentimes by accident. The views you get are all great and quite varied. If you’re into birding, it’s a great way to see some of the region’s birdlife. (That’s not really us, but I love birders’ enthusiasm for the hobby!)

The fun doesn’t stop once you get inland, either. The Nantes-Brest Canal allows you to see the region from the vantage point of its locks, while the Brocéliande Forest offers a classic woodland escape with a side of mystery.

It’s home to the Tomb of Merlin.

Brittany’s Brocéliande Forest is a land of myth. (If you were a fan of the TV show Merlin, like Brian, you recognize the tagline.) It’s the stuff of Arthurian legend in there, as it’s said to have been the home of Merlin and the Lady of the Lake.

Fun fact: The Lady of the Lake is a mystical figure in Arthurian legend who is known for bestowing Excalibur upon King Arthur. She goes by Nimue or Viviane in some legends, and your take on her may depend on whether you think she’s a witch, a guardian, or both.

On our visit, we saw both the Tomb of Merlin and the Fountain of Youth. Local lore claims knights and villagers came to these waters for renewal and rituals. It was more of a mud pool on our trip, so we definitely didn’t drink any. The forest was great, though.

Brittany is lousy with half-timbered houses.

I remember the first time we experienced a Christmas market in Alsace and how taken I was by the half-timbered houses in towns like Colmar. 

That’s before I knew how big a thing they were in Brittany. The region’s half-timbered houses are a hallmark of many of its medieval towns. I was almost jaded by the end after having seen so many.

I’m kidding, obviously.

These colorful, timber-framed buildings line the narrow streets and public squares of places like Dinan, Vannes, and Quimper. They’re a Disney effect without the commercialization, as this is just how these places were built.

Originally practical, using wood frames and local materials, they’ve become symbols of Brittany, each one slightly different in angle and design. Today, they house cafés and boutiques, or some remain homes, blending living heritage with modern Breton life.

Brittany is very dog-friendly.

While dogs aren’t allowed on many of the beaches in the summer months, they are in the off-season. Even in the summer — that’s when we went — dogs are welcome all over Brittany in restaurants, public parks, and on some of the best coastal trails in the country.

Kimmy was with us on the vast majority of our adventures here, and she had an excellent time. She loves a good coastal stroll, especially in regions like Brittany, where the crowds aren’t as thick as elsewhere. (Anxious dogs and humans appreciate those vibes.)

There are beaches that you can bring dogs to, by the way, you just need to search for them. Kimmy had some fun on the shores at Phare du Milier (off-leash) and Beach Mane Guen (on-leash). 

Just make sure that you’re being a responsible dog owner and picking up after your pooch!

The seafood here is fantastic.

Brittany makes for a great trip for foodies, especially if you’re into seafood. Oysters from Cancale are considered some of the best in the world, and you can get them straight from the source at the oyster market there.

I’ll admit I’m not a huge fan of oysters, but I love langoustines, mussels, and fish (including tin fish), all of which are in abundance here. Everything is super fresh, whether it’s being served up in a sauce, a poke bowl (yes, they’re a thing in France!), or on a bun.

We even found a crêpe shop that served smoked herring on top of their galettes, and my Polish heart skipped a beat, basically. 

Head to the coasts if you love fresh seafood at more budget-friendly prices than you’ll get elsewhere in France. You’ll be spoiled for choice.

You won’t want for crêpes and galettes.

Two of the region’s most beloved specialties are crêpes and galettes. Let’s talk a sec about the differences, as they can trip people up. 

Crêpes are sweet. These are what you’ll see served out of carts all over France. They’re often filled with Nutella or dusted with sugar, but if you visit a crêperie, you’ll find all kinds of toppings to choose from. These are eaten as a treat or as dessert after galettes. 

Galettes are the savory version. Some visitors call them crêpes, but that’s not accurate, especially in a place like Brittany. (We keep it real with the travel tips here!)

These are made of buckwheat flour and stuffed with ingredients like ham, cheese, curried chicken, or seafood, especially in this region. 

You won’t find a town in France without a crêperie — ours has four — but Brittany takes things to an extreme. They’re delicious and should be enjoyed several times over the course of your trip.

Brittany is a hub for cider.

Once you find your crêperie, you’ll have options to pair your meal with a hard cider. This is the way. If the spot you chose is really legit, your cider will be served out of cute ceramic cups.

You can certainly choose a non-alcoholic version, too. That’s always allowed.

The region’s mild, damp climate nurtures apple orchards and fruit that is the perfect balance of sweet and acidic. Styles range from dry to sweet, with farmhouse ciders even getting a little barnyard for my tastes.

Buying a bottle from one of the region’s cideries or shops in any Breton town is super cheap, too. I came home with…a few, we’ll say.

Brittany was made for road trips.

Unless you’re going to base yourself in one city for your visit, you’ll want a car to make the most of your trip to Brittany.

It just opens up the region so much, and you may even discover new-to-you corners of Brittany that weren’t on your original itinerary. 

Brittany rewards slow travel, too. If you have the time for it, dedicate time to taking a local approach to the region. That looks like lingering over cider in its villages, shopping in its markets, and hiking along its coastal paths, rather than rushing from sight to sight.

I have FOMO just like the rest of you, but this place is more about connection.

We can’t wait to get back to Brittany.

Brittany isn’t just worth visiting. It’s worth revisiting. Despite our extended time here, we still have so much left to see of the region, from peninsulas like Cap Fréhel to cities like Brest.

Several of our French friends in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, our home base in France, visit the region each year as a place to decompress, eat well, and reconnect. You know how easy it is to travel all over Europe, too. They’re right about this place. It’s the best.

Traveling elsewhere in France? Check these out:

• See Pont-Aven, a Breton Arts Hub
• Visit Giverny, the Home of Claude Monet
• Visiting Paris Is Always a Good Plan
• Is Nantes Worth the Trip? Let’s Find Out!
• Planning a Trip to Montpellier

More guides for travel to France:

• Life in France: What We’ve Learned
• Plan a Lovely Day in Avignon
• Why You Should Spend a Day in Lille
• See the Best Castles in the Loire Valley
• Spend a Day Exploring Fontainebleau

Want to see more?