Visit the 12 Most Beautiful Places in Brittany, France

We were lucky enough to spend about three weeks on the road in Brittany, exploring the more touristed corners and random towns that offered more bang for our buck. 

Brittany is nowhere near as expensive as the French Riviera or Paris, by the way, but thinking smaller generally comes with a bit of a discount, no matter where you are!

The result was one of those trips where we immediately knew we’d come back. Brittany is striking, and it’s lousy with impressive scenery, fairytale towns, and maritime loveliness. 

This list of the most beautiful places in Brittany isn’t ranked in any way, as that’d just be too painful. I kept it in ABC order because I used to be a teacher, and that’s how we roll.

It’s also a true list of “places.” You’ll get beautiful villages and towns, but also areas of the region that are worth a full day all on their own. 

Auray

This one wasn’t on our original itinerary. We had some time to kill after lunch before checking into our next base in Muzillac, a town you won’t see on this list, and Auray was an easy detour on the way. 

We found a charming little town with an old port, Saint-Goustan, cobbled streets, and the half-timbered homes we’d grown accustomed to during our Brittany road trip. (Don’t be afraid of driving in France. We have a guide for that!)

We got some ice cream and wandered the small bridges that arched over the Auray River, and took in the history of the place.

Fun fact: Benjamin Franklin arrived in the town in December 1776 to begin a mission to secure French support for the American Revolution. Bad weather is what got him here initially, as he was meant for a larger port. The town recognizes the event with its Quai Franklin and a commemorative plaque.

If you think I’m overstating any of these, check out the clip below:

Brocéliande Forest

These woods are steeped in Arthurian legends, so naturally we had to pay them a visit. (Brian is a big fan of all things Merlin, Arthur, etc.)

The Brocéliande Forest in central Brittany doesn’t look like what you’d expect out of the region. You’re not by the sea here, and there are no craggy cliffs to marvel at. You will get access to easy forest strolls to the Fountain of Youth and the Tomb of Merlin.

Note: Please don’t try to drink your way to youth from this mud pit. I imagine it could actually shorten your life thanks to the buggy floaters in there.

Merlin’s Tomb is also more legendary than historical. That doesn’t make it unimpressive. This megalithic tomb dates back to the 6th or 7th century.

Our highlight of our loop trail was the small Marette pond, where we could take a break and watch some fishing and picnicking. With more time here, visit the Château de Comper, the Abbaye de Paimpont, and La Fontaine de Barenton.

Cap Sizun 

We spent a full day exploring Cap Sizun, a peninsula that forms the westernmost tip of the Finistère department. The most famous scenic spot here is Pointe du Raz, and it’s the busiest spot in the area as a result. 

You’ll see a dramatic seaside monument before you get to the point honoring sailors lost at sea. The point itself is wild and windy, with some climbing spots for the more adventurous. 

Pointe du Millier, our first stop in Cap Sizun that day, was our favorite. We thought we’d come for the scenery and the Phare du Millier, a well-photographed hilltop home, but ended up climbing down to the beach to wet our feet (and paws).

Note: Many of Brittany’s beaches aren’t dog-friendly in the summertime, but you can find some that have either set hours for puppy play or are remote enough that they’re allowed all day. You’ll know whether a beach bans dogs because the signs will tell you! There were no signs here, and the pups were loving it.

Crozon Peninsula

The Crozon Peninsula gets more and more scenic the closer you get to the water. We passed by Morgat, a popular beach destination, as its lovely beaches wouldn’t have allowed us to spend much time there with our pup.

Instead, we headed up to the Cap de la Chèvre, a super scenic, windy headland with great views of the Bay of Douarnenez. A loop trail from the parking lot to the viewpoint is a little over three miles, but we cut back in after about a mile or so of the coast. 

From there, you can check out another impressive viewpoint at Pointe de Pen-Hir with its imposing Monument to the Bretons of Free France. You see nearby Île Vierge, an island accessible by boat, from here.

Dinan

This one looks like it’s straight out of a medieval fairy tale. Was it a little more touristy? Yes. Did I still love it? Also, yes. There were people in medieval garb playing lutes, for Pete’s sake. What’s not to love?

The Rue du Jerzual, a steep street lined with artisan workshops, becomes Rue du Petit Fort as you approach the fishing port below. I know it looks intimidating when you start thinking about the return climb up, but it’s worth it. This is the highlight of Dinan. 

Dinard

Once the darling of the Belle Époque, Dinard remains one of Brittany’s most elegant seaside towns. Its villas perch above beaches with sweeping views of Saint-Malo across the bay. With limited time, get some steps along the Promenade du Clair de Lune.

I still can’t get over how a blogger compared Dinard, a jewel of Brittany’s Emerald Coast, to Coney Island. Once you’ve been to both, you can join my club for how ridiculous that is.

We had a beautiful time here, walking along the coast and admiring the mansions. This is Brittany’s Riviera.

READ MORE: If I haven’t sold you on this one yet, I have more in my guide to Dinard.

The Pink Granite Coast

This stretch of shoreline between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden is one of Brittany’s most popular sites. Even so, it still won’t be as busy as France’s more touristed regions.

The rocks and cliffs you’ll see here get even warmer in color the closer you get to magic hour, but it’s a delight no matter when you’re there. 

We focused our efforts on Perros-Guirec. There was an easy access point to the Sentier des Douaniers, or Customs Officers’ Path, from there. We managed a few miles of the hike with our dog, admiring the views and dodging few other tourists.

Fun fact: This historic coastal train forms part of the GR34 long-distance footpath. It runs all around Brittany, and it’s about as bucket-listy a hike as you can get. 

Pont-Aven

I call Pont-Aven my favorite Giverny alternative because it has that artist connection — Paul Gauguin and his pals lived here and found inspiration here — without the crowds. 

Today, you can walk in his footsteps through the woods that he immortalized and see the inspiration for one of his most famous works, The Yellow Christ. The town is walkable and pretty idyllic, with an even slower rhythm than Brittany’s port towns and coasts. 

Giverny in nearby Normandy is still great, though. You should do both!

Quiberon Peninsula

I wanted to visit Quiberon because it’s home to a fictional Quidditch team in the Harry Potter series: the Quiberon Quafflepunchers. While we didn’t find any youths on broomsticks, we did find a super atmospheric peninsula perfect for a day trip.

You can walk more of the GR34 here or stroll through Quiberon town for fresh seafood and local markets. We explored the dog-friendly beaches here, of which there are quite a few. For lunch with a view, try Le Vivier, a spot known for its langoustines.

Quimper

Quimper is another one of those charming towns with half-timbered houses, a flower-filled square, and a riverside setting that Brittany is lousy with.

We were here to catch a movie, but quickly fell in love with the atmosphere and the ridiculous treats at Gast! I mean that lovingly. They have this crème brûlée crêpe in a cone that was upsettingly delicious.

The town is a hub for Breton culture, which has been doing its thing since the Middle Ages, so you can expect chances for traditional festivals. It felt livelier than some of the other towns, even without the music and the dancing I imagine occurs at those.

Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo isn’t as visually pretty as some of the others on this list, but once you learn about its history, it turns into a stunner before your eyes for other reasons. This is a resilient city. 

About 80% of Saint-Malo’s historic walled city, or the Intra-Muros, was destroyed during World War II. That includes Allied bombing that tried to root out German troops entrenched in the city. Basically, it was getting it from both sides.

Instead of modernizing, the town was rebuilt stone by stone to maintain its medieval appearance. We’re all the luckier for it! Magical tides that reveal island fortresses don’t suck, either.

READ MORE: Saint-Malo is a great base for trips to Cancale, too, especially for oyster lovers!

Vannes

This is one of the busiest towns we visited on our tour of Brittany, but in Vannes’ defense, it was a Saturday in July.

This medieval cutie in southern Brittany has its own half-timbered houses and storybook charm, with peekabos of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Vannes all around.

The old town is surrounded by well-preserved ramparts that are perfect for panoramic views of the city and harbor. We also got quite the summertime flower show. 

Vannes has an excellent food scene, too, with modern, even Michelin-starred eateries sharing space with classic Breton options. The Port de Vannes and Quai Eric Tabarly are worth a stop to wonder about who owns all of those yachts on the water.

More Beautiful Places to Visit in Brittany

Even with three weeks, we still left a few places on the table for next time, and I’m perfectly fine with that. This region rewards repeat visits.

Here are a few more that remain on our list:

• Fougères: This town in eastern Brittany is known for its medieval fortress, the largest in Europe. Cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and cute squares surround the castle for a real storybook vibe. 
• Guerlédan: Located in central Brittany, this one is renowned for its artificial lake, the largest in the region. It’s a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, and the Quénécan Forest that surrounds it only adds to that potential. 
• Locronan: This well-preserved Renaissance town was once a historic center of linen weaving, but what gets the people today is its architecture. It’s a favorite for French filmmakers, too. 
• Presqu’île de la Villeneuve: This natural area in Séné, between the Anse de Mancel and the Gulf of Morbihan, was treeless until a forest of Monterey pines was planted in the 1970s. Hello, upgrade!
• Roscoff: This port town was once notorious for smugglers, but today it appears to be all palm-lined quays, granite houses, and world-famous Roscoff onions. It’s a good base for Île de Batz, just a short boat ride away. 

Brittany is a local favorite for a reason.

This list just scratches the surface of scenic places in Brittany. I didn’t even get into the megalithic sites like the Carnac stones that may not be “beautiful,” but are very much worth your time.

I know you’ve all heard about Mont-Saint-Michel. Just keep driving west for one of the best road trips you’ll take in France. I highly recommend it, and may even see you there!

Traveling elsewhere in France? Check these out:

• How to Plan a Stress-Free Trip to Versailles
• Plan a Day in Lille, a French Charmer
• How to Visit Strasbourg at the Holidays
• Reasons Why Nantes Should Make Your List
• An Amateur Golfer’s Review of Le Golf National

Even more guides from our travels in France:

• Surprising Things About That French Life
• Why Paris Is Always Worth the Effort
• Plan a Trip to Criminally Underrated Évian
• Book a Trip for a Nice Weekend in Nice
• Visit Cannes on Your Next Trip to Nice

Want to see more?