10 Best Things to Do in Brittany

Walk in the footsteps of the 18th-century privateers and take a stroll on the ramparts surrounding the quaint seaside city of Saint-Malo. Originally built in the 12th century, then upgraded in the early 18th century, the Saint-Malo ramparts are a masterpiece of military architecture.

Covering a total distance of about 1.2 miles (2 km), the walk around Saint-Malo’s old town permits offers you glimpses of history. The stunning houses of former shipowners and privateers seem like from another era, while the marina and Bon-Secours Beach transport you back to the present day. After your walk, you can go roam the cobbled streets of the walled city and then lunch on delicious crepes or fresh seafood.

Dinan's historical center welcomes you to walk through its cobbled streets, spot charming half-timber houses and climb the Clock Tower to take in an amazing view of the old town. This medieval walled town boasts a 13th-century castle that is the main departure point for the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) walk of the ramparts that surround Dinan.

The Durance riverside is dotted with cafés and restaurants. At lunch time, Rue du Quai is a popular spot to fuel up and rest your feet. The beautiful Dinan is located between Rennes and Saint-Malo and is a perfect stop on your Brittany road trip.

The Ploumanac’h Natural Site in Perros-Guirec is one of the most popular places to see the Pink Granite Coast of Brittany. To gain an overview of the Seven Islands Natural Reserve that lies some 3 miles (5 km) off the coast, climb up the Mean Ruz Lighthouse and take in the spectacular view.

To get a closer look at the wild natural beauty of the area, head to the GR34 trekking path with its starting point at Trestraou Beach. The meandering path takes you around the entire peninsula. You’ll be rewarded with series of iconic, weather-shaped rocks including Napoleon’s Hat and the rugged beauty of nature. It can get quite windy here, so make sure you bring proper clothing.

Carnac is a quaint fishing village, which is famous for its many megalith sites, containing 3,000 standing stones and dolmens, known as the Carnac alignments. These stones make for great photos, especially early in morning and just before sunset.

There’s currently no clear explanation of why these stones were set this way 5,000 years ago: earthquake detector? Astronomy? Homage to ancestors? It all adds to the mystery and offers a cool conversation topic. Try to find the Géant du Manio, a tall stone hidden in a small wood a short distance from Equestrian Center Les Menhirs. It is believed to help with fertility.

Surrounding the village of Paimpont, Paimpont Forest is perhaps better known as Broceliande, as it is called in the legends of King Arthur. Paimpont Forest was once a vast ancient forest. Today it houses a museum dedicated to Arthurian romance at the Château de Comper.

Before you set on your quest, get an Arthurian trail map and go explore the forest. Can you find the Fountain of Eternal Youth, the Valley of No Return and the stone in which Merlin was imprisoned by Viviane? To delve deeper into the Arthurian legend, visit the Chapelle du Graal in Tréhorenteuc. It features stained glass windows that illustrate several famous scenes from the legend.

The tiny Batz Island with its thrilling rocky coastline and pristine beaches is perfect for a sun-kissed day trip. Don’t let the miniscule size of Batz fool you. This gorgeous island paradise boasts the Exotic Garden Georges Delaselle, ruins of the 11th-century chapel and a 19th-century lighthouse. Open to the public during the summer season, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy a fantastic 360 degree view.

There are no cars on the island, so it’s perfect for walking and cycling. The best time to visit Batz Island is spring, when the weather is usually fine, and the flowers are in bloom. During summer, get here early and you’ll have the island almost all to yourself all morning.

The Pointe de Pen-Hir is a rocky headland that juts out from the Crozon Peninsula 12.5 miles (20 km) south of Brest. Here you’ll witness and come face to face with the mighty force of nature: strong winds lashing the heathland and huge waves splashing onto the rocks, especially in winter.

A WWII memorial and a museum are located right at the entrance of the site. You’ll also find many hiking trails starting from Pointe de Pen-Hir, including the path to a mysterious Green Grotto.

The Zoo and Botanical Garden of Branféré offer a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals. Unlike in most zoos, at Branféré the majority of the animals can roam free in the park and interact with visitors. You can spot exotic plants in the botanic garden or try seeing things from a different perspective on the Parcabout, an elevated walkway among the treetops.

The Zoo and Botanical Garden of Branféré was established in Le Guerno in 1965 by animal lovers Paul Jourde and Hélène Castori. Covering an area of 86 acres (35 hectares), it’s home to over 1,000 animals from about 150 species. There are 5 restaurants and cafés in the compound.

If you haven’t experienced the Cancale Oyster Market, can you even say you love fresh seafood? Seafood can easily be found all around Brittany, but the small fishing village of Cancale is every oyster enthusiast’s heaven. The Oyster Market is a daily happening in this charming village, about 8 miles (13 km) east of Saint-Malo.

At La Houle Harbour, a few stalls sell fresh oysters at producer prices, served with a slice of lemon. So just sit on the quay and shuck your oysters while enjoying the sea view. Bring a nice bottle of wine, some bread and butter and your luxurious picnic is all set.

The best part of any road trip is sampling local food and stopping for some cider, galettes, and crêpes in Quimper will just make your day. Crêpes and galettes are 2 traditional pancake dishes of Brittany. The first is made of wheat flour while the other is made of buckwheat. Usually served with a bolée (ceramic bowl) of apple cider, you’ll find them all around the region.

This picturesque capital of the Finistère department boasts excellent crêperies in the old town, especially on Rue du Sallé and Place au Beurre. If you want to live like the locals, try the galette-saucisse, or buckwheat pancake with a sausage. This traditional street food of Brittany will keep you going until dinner time.