Jutting out at the meeting point of the English Channel and Atlantic coast, Brittany’s weathered sea cliffs, windswept beaches, and coastal towns are the north’s answer to the French Riviera. Underpinned by Celtic roots and a tangled Franco-British heritage, Brittany retains its independent spirit and Breton culture. The cities of Rennes, Vannes, and Brest top the list of things to do in Brittany. Take coastal hikes, discover the prehistoric stones of Carnac, or indulge in Breton cuisine.
Forever the butt of jokes when it comes to French weather, Brittany does borrow its climate from its British namesake—there’s always a chance of showers. Summer is the best time to hit the beach, and Brittany’s coastal resorts pull in crowds in July–August. Spring weather can be wet and windy, but it’s still a great time to explore Brittany’s hiking trails and local festivals such as the Scallop Festival, Festival of Brittany, and Gulf Week.
TGV and TER trains connect Brittany’s main towns and cities, or you can hop on the tire-bouchon (corkscrew) tourist train for a scenic ride along the Quiberon coast. Away from the main towns, it’s handy to have a car, and Brittany’s motorways are all toll-free. For a change of pace, try traveling by boat. Cruise or paddle between towns along the Nantes-Brest or Manche-Océan canals, or hop on a ferry to the Ponant Islands.
Brittany is the birthplace of the crepe, so it would be rude not to indulge. Look out for creperies afforded the Creperie Gourmande label; then, do as the locals do and order a savory galette (buckwheat pancake), followed by a sweet crepe filled with salted caramel or Nutella.
![[Walking Tour] Discover the Best of Brest in 2 hours](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/0f/06/0c/a6.jpg)
