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Brittany Destination Guide - FinistereView rental properties in FinistereFinistere has many parallels with Cornwall - a wild rocky coastline, an economy dependent on tourism and fishing, and gardens of tropical plants warmed by the gulf-stream. Despite the popularity of some of its southern coastal resorts, much of Finistere is very un-developed and property prices can be extremely reasonable. The heart of Brittany Finistere, meaning ‘Land’s End’ is Brittany’s most westerly department. The Breton people have a very distinct identity, and in Finistere live the proudest Bretons of them all. Despite officially joining the rest of the country some 600 years ago, the locals still retain their own customs, dances and songs. The department is inhabited by a large proportion of sailors and fishermen, and much of the local folklore involves the sea. Where to go for what The Medieval city of Quimper is the best place to go to indulge in authentic Breton culture. On lively evenings you can listen to bagpipers and singers who use music to tell you tales of adventure on the high seas. Head Southeast and you will discover the renowned Pays de Bigouden with its traditional fishing communities set amongst a dramatic coastline. The department has two islands, the Ile de Batz and the Ile d’Ouessant. Batz is just 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. It has sheltered sandy coves and, by a strange quirk of geography, a great climate. The Ile d’Ouessant, known as Ushant to the English, is considerably larger. It is a calm and tranquil island and, by the last count, had more sheep than humans. The little woodland that exists in the department is to be found in the Parc Naturel Regional d’Armorique to the East of the Crozon Peninsula. Grey and tropical No matter what time of year it is, Roscoff can appear to be a grey town. Don’t let the colour of the buildings put you off, though, as there is a lot to see and experience in this bustling port. Just to the South of the main town you will find Roch-Hievec, a number of peaceful gardens packed with a variety of flora that looks quite alien to Northern France. Cacti and palms are encouraged to grow, here, thanks to the unusual climate brought by the Gulf Stream. The family resort Carantec is a town specifically built to lure family holidays to the department. It has fantastic facilities for camping, sailing, fishing, bird watching and a whole host of other relaxing activities. From here you can explore the Ile de Callot, which is only actually an island at high tide. When the sea is out you can simply walk there across a sandy walkway. The town with nine beaches In the East of the department you’ll find a picturesque port town called Locquirec. Inside the town you can take a look around its fascinating 15th Century church. After this, head over the dunes and decide which of the nine stunning beaches you want to relax on. There are plenty of opportunities to sample the local produce sold at roadside stalls. Discovering the North-West The most striking coast in Brittany is to be found in the northwest of the Finistere department. There are a number of tucked away communities living among the crashing waves and high cliffs, which are well worth seeking out. Brignogan-Plage is one such town, which is endowed with a fine sandy beach and a safe swimming environment. There are also opportunities for sailing and horse riding. Keep looking and you’ll find a number of other notable hamlets such as Aberwrach, Porsporder and Portsall. Head to Tremazan if you want to explore some intriguing history. The town’s castle is enveloped with legend. It is thought that Tristan and Yseult (of the King Arthur fame) fled here from Cornwall. Home of the Atlantic Navy Brest is not the most attractive town Brittany has to offer, as it was rebuilt at great haste following World War II. Nevertheless the town has a lot to show visitors. Every summer the town puts on an extravagant festival promoting Breton culture. The town also has its own castle, which is now a great museum exploring the history and development of the Old Town. Brest is on the front line in preserving our underwater habitats and ecosystems. The gigantic Oceanopolis building serves as a research centre for marine biology. The town is also home to the French Atlantic Navy fleet but you are only allowed near these enormous boats if you are a French national! Not to be missed Le Faou is a tiny medieval port that acts as the gateway to the Crozon Peninsula, one of the most attractive parts of Brittany. It is here that you will find the magnificent nature reserve, Parc Naturel Regional d’Armorique. Head to the top of the 330 meter high Menez-Hom and you will find a great vantage point to admire the landscape below and out over the Bay of Douarnenez. There is a folklore festival held here on August 15th every year. How do I get there One ferry company has played a peculiar part in the region’s history. In 1963 services between Southampton and St Malo came to an end leaving the farmers in the region without a means of transporting their cattle. The farmers took to the streets in protest and one activist, named Alexis Gourvennec, was jailed for his role in the clashes. He left jail unrepentant and set up his own service to link the region with the UK once again. He decided to call the service ‘Brittany Ferries’. They sail regularly from the UK to Roscoff or St Malo. Caen and Cherbourg in Normandy are other nearby ferry ports with regular crossings. There are also super fast catamaran services heading to Brittany. Flying is still an option. Ryanair flies to both Dinard and Brest directly, while Aurigny Air offers flights to Dinard from Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, Stansted, Gatwick and Southampton, although you will have to make a change at Guernsey.
Towns of FinistereRoscoff - from privateers to onion sellers. This delightful fishing port is the centre of agriculture, with narrow streets and tall frontages of the stone built ship owners houses, this is a pleasant place to linger over morning coffee. There is a lot to see and do in this active port. Just to the South of the main town you will find Roch-Hievec, a number of peaceful gardens packed with a variety of plants that look quite alien to Northern France. Cacti and palms are happy to grow here, due to the warm climate brought by the Gulf Stream.
Le Faou – Pretty Brittany. This little mediaeval port acts as the gateway to the Crozon Peninsula, one of the most attractive parts of Brittany. There is a folklore festival held here on August 15th every year.Brest – last stop before America. This is the French port closest to the American continent and a strategic site of prime importance. Brest is not a well known tourist destination, but is worth a visit. It is rich in folklore that bears witness to the spirit of its inhabitants, whose reputation for hospitality remains unsullied. Brest is also the starting point for several tours, including one of the lighthouses. Quimper – A city with a strong personality. The medieval city of Quimper is alive with Breton culture, with plenty of Breton music on offer. South-east of the town lies the famous Pays de Bigouden, with it's wild coastal region scattered with traditional fishing communities. Quimper is well known for its local pottery, which continues to delight visitors. Concarneau - The prettiest walled city in Southern Brittany. Surrounded by ramparts, in southern Finistère 20 km from Quimper, Concarneau is France's largest fishing harbour. Carhaix Plouguer – the water country. This town is situated where several old Roman roads meet, on the River Aulne on the eastern side of Finistere, close to Cotes d'Armor. The Nantes-Brest canal meets the Aulne here, with the tow-path for walks and cycling. The town (pop. 8000+) has supermarkets and other shops, cinema, restaurants and bars, and a swimming pool. The many activities in the area include horse riding, swimming, fishing in the River Aulne, canoeing, activities in the multimedia centre, and golf. This region is part of the Parc Naturel Regional d'Amorique, which stretches west to the Crozon Peninsula, offering varied and beautiful landscapes. Huelgoat – wood, stone and water. A quiet village with it's own lake in the Parc naturel regional d'Armorique halfway between Morlaix and Carhaix on the minor road D769. Nearby, east and north of the village, is the Forest of Huelgoat, with lovely walks amongst the trees, giant boulders, rivers and waterfalls. Pretty shops and lakes side creperies and restaurant. Here you will find the Huelgoat Honey Museum. Not far away is the village of spezet This village, with shops, bars and other amenities, lies between the Monts Arrés and Monts Noires near Carhaix. Not far away are Huelgoat, with it's forest steeped in Arthurian myth, the Nantes Brest Canal, and rivers. Pleyben – Home of the chocolate makers. Is an historical market town, north of Quimper in Finistére, about 35kms inland. It is situated between the Monts d'Arrée and the Montagnes Noires, in the Parc Régional d'Amorique, and offers easy access to the forest at Huelgoat and the River Aulne as well as the sandy beaches of the Crozon coast. It is located by the main road route from Rennes to Brest, and the route down to Quimper. It is also the home of Chatillon chocolate makers - http://www.chatillon-chocolat.com/ - who also make and sell florentins and Breton shortcake. Morlaix – The town of Beauty. Morlaix is a busy town of with museums and old churches in the old town, a famous viaduct and a yachting harbour. The Mercredis en Fête (Wednesday Festivals) held here from the 15 July - 15th August in the late afternoon, feature performers of all kinds, such as musicians, jugglers and comedians. Pont-Aven - painters and biscuits. This is the land of flour mills. Pont Aven used to be a centre of industry, and it is famous for its painters. The little town nestles in the hollow of an estuary that has been particularly favoured by history and nature. Today, it is full of art galleries and tries hard to remain quaint and unspoiled, whilst retaining its main economic activity, biscuit making. Nearly to million boxes of Pont Aven biscuits are produced annually. You will find quaint restaurants, cafés, ice cream bars, museums and galleries. Benodet - situated at the mouth of the ODET river, and opposite the Glénan islands, with its sheltered bay, offers fine sandy beaches. Benodet combines the revitalising tonic of sea-air with a charming green and wooded landscape. The resort contains a thalassotherapy centre, and a marina equipped with high-quality material. Leisure activities are at a premium: 18-hole golf course, sailing, canoeing, tennis, horse-riding, hikes along coastal paths, cinema, concerts and entertainment.
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