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The city played an important part in the Second World War and is rich in history and culture. Reflecting its coastal position, attractions in Brest include an excellent Aquarium and the marine museum Museé de la Marine. Out of town there are more impressive landscapes with dramatic granite cliffs punctuated by sandy beaches.
Villas & Gites in Brittany, France Area Information
Due to its distinctive character, pleasant climate and proximity to the UK, Brittany has long been a favoured destination for a French villa holiday.
A spectacular coastline of majestic sandy beaches and rugged cliffs encircles Brittany, interspersed with scenic harbours and rocky coves dotted with lighthouses.
Traditionally a region of seafarers and fishermen, this influence remains strong to the present day from working fishing ports to yacht marinas and plenty of opportunities to engage in watersports.
Inland an equally captivating and varied landscape awaits, of mysterious megalithic sites and wooded river valleys steeped in Arthurian legend: Brocéliande Forest is said to be enchanted and home to Merlin’s tomb and the Lady of the Lake.
Brittany enjoys a mild climate much like Cornwall, thanks to its coastal borders and the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. The Breton peninsula and the south coast in particular experience a micro-climate with comparitively higher temperatures and more sunshine than the rest of northern France and the UK.
Brest
Brest is the second largest town in Brittany and is fortuitously sheltered by a large natural harbour, La Rade de Brest.The city played an important part in the Second World War and is rich in history and culture. Reflecting its coastal position, attractions in Brest include an excellent Aquarium and the marine museum Museé de la Marine. Out of town there are more impressive landscapes with dramatic granite cliffs punctuated by sandy beaches.
View villas in Brittany
Just to the south of Brest and lying within protected National Park, the Crozon peninsula forks out into the Celtic Sea, magnificent panoramic views of which can to be enjoyed from Menez Hom, the highest point in Brittany.
Whilst some stretches of this coastline are wild and craggy, the seaside village of Telgruc sur Mer is situated on the southerly side of the peninsula, with a long gently shelving fine sand beach at Trez Bellec.
Quimper
The historic town of Quimper in south-western Brittany derives its name from the word 'kempir', a Breton word meaning 'confluence of two rivers', in this case the rivers Odet and Steir which meet there.The old town is well worth a visit, home to a distinctive cathedral with twin spires as well as the Breton museum and the Museé des Beaux Arts.
Stroll around the cobbled streets to admire the timbered houses and marvel at the intricacy of traditional Breton lace-making, or simply soak up the friendly atmosphere from a pavement café. Quimper is also famous for its handmade pottery with its distinctive yellow and blue borders.
Lorient
Lorient is home to the second largest fishing port in France, worth visiting in the early morning to see the daily catch coming in and being bartered over.Boat trips from Lorient head out to the Ile de Groix, Brittany's second largest island, which is dotted with pretty fishermen's cottages painted in bright colours and boasts both beautiful sandy beaches and breathtaking clifftop scenery.
Our villas in this area are situated along the coast west of Lorient, which is characterised by sweeping sandy bays, rocky coves and small harbours such as the picturesque port of Doëlan. Nearby, the market town of Moëlan-sur-Mer offers a comprehensive choice of amenities and three family friendly sandy beaches at Le Pouldu.
Further west lies picturesque Pont-Aven, renowned for its many art galleries and antique shops, a legacy of its most famous resident, the painter Paul Gauguin. For others, the chic atmosphere of Bénodet may appeal more, its impressive marina and pristine beach justifying its reputation as the 'Breton Riviera'.
Concarneau is a major port for both fishing and pleasure boats, and is blessed with many excellent fish and seafood restaurants. Take a walk around the well preserved 'Ville Close', the fortified old town set in the harbour, an iconic landmark of this celebrated town.
Fêtes and Markets
Brittany's very strong cultural identity is cherished by its people, with the Breton language making a modern-day comeback. Similarly, Breton music and dancing are proudly celebrated at regular festivals, sometimes performed by groups dressed in traditional costume but often with the opportunity for onlookers to join in; look out for the posters advertising a local 'Fest Noz'. A large scale festival of this kind drawing people from all over is the annual Interceltique festival, held in Lorient in early August. During October, the Atlantique Jazz Festival takes place in various venues across the region, from major centres such as Brest and Lorient to smaller towns like Crozon and Pont-l'Abbé.Most towns hold a weekly market selling fresh local produce, and often the opportunity to sample specialities before purchasing. These include markets held in Bénodet and Concarneau on Monday, Moëlan and Telgruc sur Mer on Tuesday, Le Guilvinec on Wednesday, Pont l'Abbé on Thursday, Fouesnant on Friday, Clohars Carnoët on Saturday, and Quimper on Sunday.
Cuisine
Given its heritage as an important fishing region, seafood is of course a dominant theme on Breton menus and a wide range of fish and shellfish is available. The catch of the day is usually a good bet, guaranteed to be freshly caught, or the Coquille Saint-Jacques is a particularly delicious speciality, scallops usually prepared in a Béchamel sauce and served in the shell.Perhaps the most typical dish however is the 'galette bretonne', a savoury filled crêpe, accompanied by a cup of Breton cider. Other specialities to sample are an egg custard flan known as Far Breton and Traou Mad, a delicious full fat butter biscuit.
Getting there
The region is served by regular Ryanair flights to Dinard on the north coast, as well as more limited Flybe flights from Southampton and Manchester to Rennes or Birmingham to Brest. In addition scheduled flights via Paris are available to Lorient on the south coast. But many will prefer to take their own car on the ferry, in which case Roscoff or St Malo are the nearest ports, with Cherbourg just slightly further away. Calais is approximately 7 to 8 hours drive from the majority of our properties.
Book your villa holiday online or telephone: 01954 261 431