Jutting defiantly into the Atlantic, France's northwest corner has long been culturally and geographically distinct from the main bulk of the country.
A long, jagged coastline is the region's great attraction. Magnificent beaches line its northern shore, swept clean by huge tides and interspersed with well-established seaside resorts, seasoned fishing ports and abundant oysterbeds. The south coast is gentler, with wooded river valleys and a milder climate, while the west, being exposed to the Atlantic winds, has a drama that justifies the name "Finistère" , the end of the earth. Inland lies the Argoat - once the land and the forest, now a patchwork of undulating fields, woods and rolling moorland. Parc Régional d'Armorique occupies much of central Finistère, and it is in western Brittany that Breton culture remains most evident.
In Quimper, and in the Pays Bigouden, crèpes and cider, traditional costumes and Celtic music are still a genuine part of the Breton lifestyle. Vannes, Dinan and Rennes, the Breton capital, have well preserved medieval quarters where half-timbered buildings shelter inviting markets, shops, crèperies and restaurants. The walled port of St-Malo on the Côte d'Emeraude recalls the region's maritime prowess, while the remarkably intact castles at Fougères and Vitré are a reminder of the mighty border-fortresses that protected Brittany's eastern frontier before its final union with France in 1532.
Attractions in Brittany
The cathedral in Dol, a gem of religious architecture, stands on the edge of marshland. It is just one of the reminders of Dol's outstanding history. Dol de Bretagne became one of Brittany's first bishoprics in the 6th century. King Nominoë I of Brittany was crowned here in 848 A.D.
St. Malo is full of examples of beautiful buildings and attractions that depict a rich historical tapestry, including the magnificent cathedral, the City History and Wax Museums and the Old Market Hall.
Brittany has 4000 chateaux, manors and stately homes built in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance or subsequent centuries. For a long time ravaged by feudal struggles during the Middle Ages, Brittany was the site of many bloody battles to repulse French or English invaders. Over the centuries, a defensive ring of castles was constructed. These fortresses, always built in granite, are the witnesses to an era, and are distinguished by their architectural diversity.
THE CLIMATE IN BRITTANY
Brittany is on the west coast of France and in summer it has a warm temperate climate. It does rain sometimes, which is one of the reasons its countryside is so green and wooded, but it would be an unusual week if there was not more sun than cloud. It can get very hot in the summer months, with temperatures reaching approximately 35 degrees.
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