Atout France SMARTguide

Brittany: an Open
Gate to the Atlantic
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Spectacular seascapes,
intimate bays, welcoming
valleys, spellbinding moors
and groves, and the sensual
lines of vast dunes... the
scenery changes at every
turn. Here, earth and the
sea are interwoven, as are
open spaces and human
activity, infinity and softness.
The Breton soul is reflected
in its contrasts. This wealth,
which feeds the imagination
and the local dynamism, is
carefully protected.
AN INCREDIBLY
VARIED COASTLINE
With a total of 1,772 km
coastline, Brittany presents
a remarkable variety of
seaside landscapes: rocky
cliffs, sandy or pebble
beaches, islands, salt
USPs
marshes and estuaries. A
land of myth and folklore,
this is also a region whose
forests rustle to legends
such as King Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table
and Merlin the enchanter.
From the Emerald Coast
to the Gulf of Morbihan,
passing by the fortress city
of Saint-Malo, the superb
resort town of Dinard, the
Aber Ildut, which is the
dividing line between the
channel and the Atlantic
Ocean, the Iroise sea
and its many islands, the
Harbour of Brest, the bay
of Douarnenez, or Carnac
and its lines of dolmens
and menhirs… there are
countless opportunities for
adventure and discovery.
• Extremely varied coastal scenery punctuated with
numerous characteristic ports.
• A unique climate, tonic effect, the quality of the sea
water: Brittany is the quintessential rejuvenating
destination to regain energy and serenity.
• Countless iconic festivals (Trans Musicales meetings
in Rennes, Interceltique Festival in Lorient, Festival of
old ploughs, etc.).
Rennes (RNS), Nantes (NTE)
© CRTB -BERTHIER Emmanuel
Mont-Saint-Michel
and its Bay: A Unique
Historic Site and
Natural Setting
UNESCO world heritage
site, Mont-Saint-Michel
and its Bay enable visitors
to admire a breath-taking
maritime landscape. Its
spring tides hold the
record in France in terms
of amplitude, with water
entering the bay at an
impressive pace over a
patchwork of polders and
mussel farms, allowing the
mythical architectural work
to be reflected across the
immensity of the sea.
Discovering Mont-Saint-
Michel and its Bay is an
exceptional experience,
as is meeting the locals!
Visitors can observe
USPs
bottlenose dolphins, taste
the saltmarsh lamb, learn
to cook on an old sailing
ship, cross the bay on foot,
discover old Corsair towns
such as Saint-Malo and
Granville, enjoy oysters,
visit an archipelago such
as the Chausey Islands,
make their own shortbread,
or discover craftworks in
copper and tin. The visitor
is invited to live his or her
own experience.
With safe, quiet roads
wending along the
coastline, crossing wild
moors skirting pretty
beaches, Mont-Saint-
Michel and its Bay are ideal
for cycling.
• Site of the biggest spring tides in continental Europe.
• The Mont-Saint-Michel abbey offers an exceptional
ensemble of buildings representing different styles
from the Middle Ages.
• A paradise for hikers with emblematic routes such as
the Way of St. James or the customs trail, enabling
them to discover breath-taking landscapes!
A
Rennes, Brest or Quimper stations
Paris (CDG, ORY), Nantes (NTE)
Rennes Station
france.fr
France: Destinations to (re)discover 19