|
Wild and untamed......
Occupying the rugged northwestern tip of France, Brittany is
the wildest and most untamed of all the French regions. Buffeted
by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, the coastline is
strewn with lighthouses, rocky coves, windswept heaths, sheltered
beaches and charismatic seaside villages. Brittany did not become
part of France until 1547. This independence, along with its relative
isolation from the rest of the country, has created a distinctive
Breton culture, language and heritage closely related to those of
Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland.
Brittany is the most popular summer
resort area in France after the Cote d’Azur. The unspoilt
white sandy beaches, soaring cliffs and offshore islands attract thousands of tourists each year. Some of the finest beaches in the province include those at Carnac, Quiberon, Saint Malo and Dinard. Dinard has been a seaside resort since the turn of the century. Its belle époque mansions, old-fashioned bathing tents, and elegant cedar trees
transport you effortlessly back in time. Carnac is home to some
of the world’s most important megalithic sites. The megaliths
stretch for 13 kilometres north and east of the town.
Drive around the region’s most westernmost department -
Finistere. The most Breton of all the departments in Brittany, it is dotted with
appealing fishing villages and boasts a spectacularly rugged coastline.
Visit Quimper, the cultural and artistic capital of the department, take in the
important naval port of Brest or dine in the windswept Channel port of Roscoff.
A trip to the mysteriously beautiful Ile d’Ouessant is a must. Lying 20
kilometres from the mainland, it is a great place to observe Breton traditions
and customs. The town of Vannes in south-central Brittany is a lively medieval
town with some interesting museums and excellent restaurants. The city of Rennes
has been the capital of Brittany since the 16th century. Stop for a coffee in
the attractive pedestrianised old city. The Paimpont Forest lies 40 kilometres
to the south of Rennes. It is here, according to Arthurian legend, that the young
Arthur received the sword Excalibur from the fairy Vivian.
Mysterious and enchanting, Brittany is an unforgettable holiday destination.
|
del.icio.us
Digg it
Yahoo MyWeb
Stumble It!
