France - Explore Brittany's Spectacular Coast

Finistere beaches, Douarnenez Boat Museum, Concarneau Ville Close

Mar 27, 2007

Driving is the best way to see Brittany as there are so many places to explore and roads are relatively empty. Even better, unlike the rest of France, they are toll-free.

Finistere literally means 'Land's End' and this westernmost department of Britanny does have a lot in common with its neighbour across the Channel. Like Cornwall, it has a ruggedly beautiful coastline, small coves, whitewashed fisherman's cottages, and acres of beaches. If you like the outdoors you'll love this part of Brittany. There's loads to do, for grown-ups and the bucket and spade brigade alike.

If you don't want to drive there are a number of places which you could use as a base from which to explore the area. A good place to do this would be Douarnenez. Situated on a magnificent bay and renowned for its good beaches, it has, since 1993, been home to one of the most unique floating exhibitions in Europe - the boat museum at Port-Rhu. Anyone who likes boats will love this place and children have a wonderful time scrambling over wooden boats from all over the world, which would have perished but for the dedication of boat lovers who rescued and restored them.

Just a few miles inland from Douarnenez is Locronon, considered the most picturesque village in Brittany and the place that Roman Polanski chose as his "typical English village" for his film 'Tess', based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. Lots of tourist shops here but it is worth a visit for its perfectly preserved medieval town centre and quaint narrow streets. Nearby are beautiful woodland walks.

Cycling is a good way to explore Brittany and its fun to get off the roads and explore trails which meander past small villages and farms. Don't forget to take le pique-nique. What could be nicer than sitting in the sun with a baguette, a chunk of French cheese and perhaps a swig of Breton cider. Not to mention the delicious patisseries you, of course, remembered to bring along. Every region of France has its culinary specialties - in Brittany it is crepes and you will find Creperies wherever you go. The original crepe was a rather plain affair, served only with a dab of butter. Today they are filled with all kinds of delicious savoury or sweet fillings - children love the strawberry crepes. Traditionally crepes are thin, when made thick they are called galettes.

A good place to try some of these treats would be Concarneau where visitors flock to the old town, the Ville Close - a fortified islet in the middle of the harbour which you enter by a drawbridge. It looks lovely in the evening with its ancient battlements floodlit, and in inside the walls are charming crooked streets with masses of cafes and restaurants.

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