Finistère, Bretagne

Finistère is Iocated in the Western part of Brittany and in northwestern France.

Finistère is a major maritime area where the Channel and the Atlantic form the landscape and set the pace of life where it is possible to discover all the major islands of Brittany such Island of Batz, Glénan, Ouessant, Sein and Molène.

Land of great builders, land of granite, this area of Brittany is abundant with architectural gems such as amazing churches, castles and manors.

Finistère offers 2,920 miles of waymarked footpaths for wonderful hikes in the very heart of nature. It is not only a place of beautiful landscapes it is also a region with a vibrant flourishing Gastronomy based on exquisite fresh seafood and fish.

Finistère is the area where Breton survives most strongly as a spoken language. Breton-speaking schools are called Diwan, Divyezh and Dihun.
The Festival de Cornouaille, which takes place in Quimper, is a celebration of Breton music and traditions.
One of the highlights of summer in Finistère is the "Festival des Vieilles Charrues" held in Carhaix-Plouguer where major international stars attract tens of thousands of spectators. [1]
The painter Raymond Wintz (1884-1956) depicted many locations around Finistère.
Agriculture, food processing and various related industries occupy an important place in Finistère's economy.
The military presence in Finistère (Île Longue nuclear submarinebase; Naval Air base of Lanvéoc-Poulmic), as well as military-related industries such as the Brest headquarters of DCNSemploy a significant number of the département's population.
The port of Roscoff links Brittany by ferry with Ireland and Great Britain.
Brest has international airline connections whilst the TGV runs to both Brest and Quimper.