12 Unmissable Sites you Have to Visit in Brittany

Twelve towns, villages and vistas you won’t want to miss on your travels along the coast of Brittany

Locronan
A Petite Cité de Caractère and a Plus Beau Village, Locronan oozes film-set good looks; indeed, it has been used for many films. The village gives its name to lockram cloth, a coarse linen sailcloth, from which it grew rich until the 1700s.

Côte Sauvage
In contrast to its tame east coast, the Presqu’île de Quiberon’s western edge offers wild seas, even on a calm day, as the mighty force of the Atlantic hits the coastal rocks with vigour.

Alignements de Kerzerho
After those at Carnac, this is the most important megalithic site in Brittany – and it is arguably the more impressive. Don’t miss the ‘giants of Kerzerho’, 80m to the north, hidden behind a hedgerow.

Auray-Saint-Goustan
Half-timbered buildings line Franklin Quay (named after the US president who stopped here) in this old riverside port whose cafés and bars make an excellent spot to survey the world.

Pointe des Espagnols
At the tip of the Roscanvel peninsula, it’s so named following the 16th-century Wars of Religion. There are Vauban batteries, Napoleonic fortifications and excellent views of the Rade de Brest and Goulet de Brest.

Read More: The Many Colours of Brittany’s Enchanting Coast

Sillon de Talbert
A regional nature reserve, this extraordinary natural phenomenon sees a 3km spit of land, little more than a few metres wide, jut out into the sea on the Côte du Goëlo.

Pointe du Raz
A Grand Site de France and a majestic sight, few places have the wow-factor quite like the Pointe du Raz, whatever the weather. Take the coastal route
to maximise the aura.

Mont Saint-Michel
Strictly speaking, the island of Mont Saint-Michel is in Normandy, but, as the start of the GR34 long-distance walking route and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a must-see.

Cap Fréhel
Separating the Côte de Penthièvre and Côte d’Émeraude, this north coast cape offers excellent views from its 70m-high cliffs, which are home to hundreds of sea birds; there’s even a bird reserve here.

Roscoff
One of the arrival points for Brittany Ferries, this charming old fishing village is full of historic stone buildings and merchants’ dwellings. Take a walk out along the Estacade de Roscoff, a jetty that all but reaches the Île-de-Batz.

Plouescat
Plouescat is worth visiting to see the remarkable (and huge) timber-framed market hall in the centre of town. While you’re here, don’t miss the extent of the Côte des Sables on which it sits for an exceptional dune landscape.

Audierne
At the mouth of the Goyen river, go on one of the riverside walks upstream, or sunbathe on one of Audierne’s four beaches. Head to the Musée Maritime du Cap-Sizun, or, from April to September, visit L’Aquashow aquarium.

From France Today magazine