Great Destinations in France: A Guiding Light to Brittany

SHINING A LIGHT ON BRITTANY’S SEAFARING PAST

The Finistère département’s major city of Brest is found in the far west of the region – or World’s End, as it is known in Breton – and it is here that Brittany’s deep relationship with the coastline which encircles it on two frontiers can really be felt.

Since the Roman Empire it has been a port of military importance, and while Brest would never describe itself as a pretty city, having been completely rebuilt after the Second World War, it more than makes up for it in character. Like the town itself, the Musée des Beaux-Arts was all but destroyed during bombing raids, but the collection has since been rebuilt to include more than 300 pieces of Baroque art, including Guerchin’s Judith and Holofernes.

Brest, seen here at night, was rebuilt after being destroyed in Second World War bombing raids. Photo: Yannick Le Gal

Exploring the town, you cannot fail to appreciate its naval heritage, which makes it an ideal location from which to explore Brest Terres Océanes’ coastline, and its most prominent manmade landmarks – the lighthouses. Impressive and majestic, to say the least, these solitary structures, often thrust out on a rocky outcrop, are towering symbols of this region’s turbulent relationship with the sea. You can climb the 365 steps to the top of the tallest lighthouse in Europe at Île Vierge, while at Pointe Saint-Mathieu the lighthouse jostles for prominence with the medieval ruins of the Abbaye de Saint-Mathieu on its craggy outreach – the westernmost point of mainland France – overlooking the Atlantic and the Bay of Brest.

The lighthouse at Plouzané. Photo: Emmanuel Berthier

The lighthouses, many of which date from the 19th century, have been brought bang up to date with the introduction of a new augmented reality app that allows you to explore 19 lighthouses along a designated trail. Among those featured is the Phare de Trézien, somewhat surprisingly to be found inland, 500m from the shoreline, as well as the oldest lighthouse in Brittany, the Phare du Stiff. Further south in the département lies Finistère’s prefecture, which serves up a traditional slice of Breton life.

The medieval streets of Quimper overlooked by the cathedral. Photo: Yannick Le Gal

The towering twin spires of the Cathédrale Saint-Corentin set the scene in the historic town of Quimper, which has a distinctly Celtic feel to its medieval streets. With names like rue Kéréon, place au Beurre and rue des Boucheries, you get an idea of some of the traditional trades that saw this town flourish. There is no better place to stop and enjoy a traditional Breton galette than at one of the many crêperies in this town’s charming streets – accompanied, of course, by a jug of cidre.

Largely known as the cultural heart of Brittany, Quimper’s streets come to life every July during Festival de Cornouaille, which has celebrated Brittany’s Celtic roots every year since 1923. Expect traditional dress, bagadoù performances and dancers spilling out into the streets, as well as the spectacular Great Sunday Parade during the week-long festival.

The twin spires of Cathédrale Saint-Corentin in Quimper. Photo: Yannick Le Gal

THEY CAME, THEY SAW, THEY CONQUERED

Pontivy is perhaps not the obvious choice of destination in a département with a scattering of beautiful islands lying just off its coastline, as well the largest megalithic monuments anywhere in the world. But this market town to the north of Morbihan has a history of men arriving and leaving their mark – and it shows. It’s famed as the family seat of power for the Rohan dynasty following their arrival at the small commune on the River Blavet in the 12th century.

Pontivy can trace its history to 685 AD. Photo: Simon Bourcier

The town’s impressive château was built some 200 years after their arrival, and saw its fair share of turbulent times in the intervening years. Today it is open to visitors and hosts regular exhibitions and displays.

But it was some 600 years before the Rohans that Pontivy was founded by an English monk named Ivy who – according to legend – gave the commune its name. He arrived in 685AD at the River Blavet and built a bridge across it, subsequently leaving behind the Pont d’Ivy.

A river view in picturesque Pontivy. Photo: Yannick Le Gal

The town’s strategic position on the river again led it to catch the eye of another powerful man, Napoleon, who extended the commune significantly in line with his vision of creating a centre of commerce in peacetime, and an integral military centre in times of war. This saw the town twice renamed Napoleonville, before reverting back to its medieval origins following the downfall of Napoleon III. Napoleon’s construction plans for the town have left a commune of two distinct halves: the medieval old town, with its timber-framed buildings and magnificent château; and the imperial new town, with its precision-straight avenues modelled around place Aristide Briand. That sense of dual identity is reflected right down to the town’s road signs, which since 2004 have been bilingual, featuring French and Breton.

It would be wrong to visit Morbihan without exploring one of the many islands scattered off the coastline. Indeed, an old saying of Breton sailors was that he who sees Groix, sees his joy. Île de Groix is just nine square miles in size, and its tranquillity is what sets it apart. The colourful houses in the main harbour village of Port Tudy overlook pleasure boats moored alongside. You won’t need a car to explore, but if cycling doesn’t quite fit with your idea of a quiet weekend, you can always hire an electric bike instead.

L’île de Groix. Photo: Xavier Dubois

WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A CUSTOMS OFFICER

That deep affinity with the sea is not unique to Brittany’s western coastline. The northern coastal commune of Saint-Brieuc brings all that is beautiful on land and at sea to this region and rolls it into one. Nestled in the heart of Saint-Brieuc Bay, this is where you will find graceful, half-timbered 15th-century buildings, leaning out over the narrow streets of the old town, an unusual cathedral that bears more of the hallmarks of a fortress than a place of worship, and more independent restaurateurs offering up local dishes than you could ever hope to dine in during just one visit.

Saint-Brieuc’s marketplace. Photo: Jacqueline Piriou

The Sentier des Douaniers (Path of the Customs Officers) takes walkers out along the coastline, taking in views over the dunes and the bay beyond, as well as the rolling landscape that encircles the commune inland. At low tide you can walk 7km out into the bay, which is positively teeming with wildlife.

Walking the footpath along Saint-Brieuc Bay. Photo: Emmanuel Berthier

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

Just a short cycle ride away from the ramparts of Saint-Malo lies Cancale, an attractive fishing village renowned for its oysters. More than 15,000 tonnes of them are farmed here every year, making a visit to Cancale a must for any shellfish lover.

The charming fishing village of Cancale. Photo: Alexandre Lamoureux

There are plenty of restaurants in the small village offering up oysters as fresh as they come; or to get hands on, you can book yourself into the kitchen of retired three-Michelin-star chef Olivier Roellinger for a cookery class. La Ferme Marine offers you the chance to learn more about how the oysters are produced and see a family at work in the bay. Even if oysters are not your thing, it makes for a fascinating visit.

Historic Rennes. Photo: Yannick Le Gal

While there is no getting away from Brittany’s bond with the sea, or its agricultural heritage, it is by no means a sleepy backwater region. And a visit to the thriving university city and capital of Rennes will leave you in no doubt that this is a very forward-thinking region – it was one of the first cities in France to have its own dedicated TV channel!

Much of the old city was all but destroyed by fire in 1720, although many examples of medieval architecture can still be found. But it is perhaps some of the developments that have been conceived since this period that are the most eye-catching. Take the striking Hôtel de Ville, or Piscine Saint-Georges – beautiful public swimming baths opened in the 1920s and adorned with Italian mosaics created by the Odorico family. Or the Thabor Garden – laid out by Denis and Eugène Bühler – and home to some 3,000 different species of plant. The city’s Saturday morning Marché des Lices is noted for being one of the finest in France. On a city break in Rennes, you will be sure to enjoy the very best that Brittany has to offer – and then some.

From France Today magazine

The magnificent city hall in Rennes, illuminated at night. Photo: Jacqueline Piriou