| Brittany is a region located to the North-West of | | | | By rail |
| France. The English Channel on its Northern coast, | | | | If travelling from the United Kingdom, why not |
| and the Atlantic on the West and South. To the | | | | use the Eurotunnel? Catch the train with your car |
| East, Brittany borders Lower Normandy and the | | | | at the Folkestone Kent Terminal and arrive at |
| Western Loire. | | | | Calais/Coquelles 35 minutes later. This is a fast |
| Landscape: | | | | and exciting way to visit France and beyond. The |
| Brittany is a cacophony of diverse landscapes. | | | | service is frequent and operates round the clock, |
| Never far from the sea, walkers have an | | | | 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
| abundance of coastal paths to explore stretching | | | | The EUROSTAR train also operates a foot |
| north to south. Long golden sandy beaches are | | | | passenger only service either from Waterloo |
| guarded by rugged cliffs where a myriad of | | | | Station London or Ashford Kent International |
| wildlife play and nest including some species of | | | | Terminal directly to Paris. The Eurostar is an ultra |
| rare birds. | | | | modern high-speed service with a journey time of |
| Inland pinewoods cast a glance over gently rolling | | | | only 3 hours from London. Paris and Rennes in |
| green valleys whilst rivers meander through | | | | Brittany are linked by the Atlantic TGV service, |
| farmland untroubled by the passing of time. | | | | which takes 2 hours. Trains usually leave every |
| Unspoilt wide-open spaces together with charming | | | | hour between 7am and 1pm from Paris |
| villages wait to be discovered and extend a warm | | | | Montparnasse to Rennes. You can also catch the |
| welcome to travellers. | | | | TGV train to Brest or Quimper and this journey |
| Attractions: | | | | takes four hours. |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | | | | It is possible to travel to Brittany avoiding Paris |
| Mont-Saint-Michel has evolved from a mere | | | | altogether. The TGV service operates directly |
| oratory in the 8th century to the breath taking | | | | between Lille (3 hr 50 min) and Lyon (4 hr 30 |
| magnificent monastery and national monument | | | | min) to Rennes. |
| that towers above the sea today. Linked to the | | | | It is also possible to travel by coach to the main |
| mainland by a causeway accessible only at low | | | | tourist resorts in Brittany. Regular coach services |
| tide adds to its enchantment. The tides around | | | | connect with all major railway stations throughout |
| Mont-Saint-Michel are renowned for their strength | | | | the year. |
| and are particularly treacherous in the spring when | | | | By Air |
| speeds of 18 mph have been recorded. . | | | | A number of low cost air-lines operate from |
| Saint-Malo | | | | various locations in the U.K. directly to Rennes / |
| Saint Malo was named after a welsh monk who | | | | Brest. |
| landed here in the 6th century. It is an important | | | | By Ferry |
| port and ferry terminal as well as an excellent | | | | Ferry services are frequent with direct routes to |
| tourist resort. The old walled city is particularly | | | | the ports of St Malo and Roscoff. |
| interesting with cobbled streets, small souvenir | | | | Population |
| shops, studios of local artisans and excellent | | | | With just over 3 million inhabitants - the major |
| restaurants. | | | | towns are Rennes (half a million) and Brest |
| Children would enjoy a visit to the local aquarium | | | | (300,000). Inland generally is sparsely populated |
| where helpful staff are only too happy to explain | | | | with most residents around the coastline. |
| the exhibits and encourage hands on participation. | | | | Major Towns |
| Dinan | | | | St. Malo |
| The mediaeval town of Dinan is one of the oldest | | | | St. Malo is a major port and ferry terminal as well |
| in Brittany. Standing proud atop a hillside | | | | as a tourist resort. Discover the old walled city |
| overlooking the Rance valley it has an abundance | | | | with its narrow cobbled streets. Visit the |
| of attractions; walk along the ramparts and enjoy | | | | Cathedral of St. Vincent and marvel at the |
| spectacular views, visit the museum and | | | | modern stained glass window of the Chancel. Do |
| mediaeval church, enjoy a delicious lunch at | | | | not miss the Chateau de St Malo. Steeped in |
| numerous restaurants using local produce. The fish | | | | history the chateau dates from the 14th-15th |
| restaurants are particularly good. | | | | centuries. |
| Josselin | | | | Brest |
| Josselin sits at the edge of the Oust canal and is | | | | Brest is a naval port with a rich and varied |
| dominated by an impressive medieval chateau, | | | | maritime history. For the inquisitive there is a |
| which has been the home of the Rohan family | | | | museum depicting the important episodes in its |
| since the 13th century. | | | | history together with model boats and rare |
| Although the interior has been renovated many of | | | | maritime maps. With the constant flow of cargo |
| its bygone splendours remain and tours of the | | | | vessels from all over the world coupled with local |
| Chateau are well worth taking.There is a | | | | fishing boats, Brest is indeed a modern city that |
| fascinating museum in the former stables housing | | | | has retained its charm. |
| the families collection of dolls. | | | | Quimper |
| Foret de Paimpont | | | | Quimper is a busy town with attractive |
| Also known as the Foret de Broceliande, is all that | | | | half-timbered houses. Famous for its hand painted |
| remains of a primeval wood. Legend has it that | | | | pottery and Breton traditions you can find little |
| King Arthur and Merlin the sorcerer have | | | | shops selling costumes and the most delicious |
| connections with this area. A visit to the | | | | crepes and cider. |
| enchanting village of Paimpont is an excellent | | | | Prices |
| starting point to explore the myths further. | | | | (August 2006) |
| Weather/Climate | | | | There are large variations in prices. The most |
| The weather in Brittany does not suffer from | | | | expensive area is around Vannes on the southern |
| huge variations in temperature. However, it does | | | | Brittany coast. Coastal properties are more |
| have a propensity to change from gentle showers | | | | expensive. Inland property prices drop dramatically |
| of rain to bright blue skies within a few hours. On | | | | - Central Brittany and Ille-et-Vilaine offer the |
| average the climate on the coast tends to be | | | | cheapest prices. |
| milder than inland. | | | | Price Guideline |
| Average temperatures in Brittany | | | | Apartments: 80,000 euros (Coast) |
| Cities: | | | | Farmhouses: 50,000 euros (needs renovation) |
| Rennes Jan=8 April=15 July=24 Oct=17°C | | | | Townhouses: 40,000 euros |
| Brest Jan=9 April=13 July=20 Oct=16°C | | | | Villas: 300,000 euros |
| Getting there | | | | Land: from 5 euros per sq. |