Hiring a car in Brittany is a superb way of seeing this fantastic region of France. We offer car rental is several locations throughout the region. Check out our Car Hire Brest and Car Hire Dinard prices today.
Brittany, or Bretagne, is in the charming north west region of France recognized for its amazing seafood (oyters in specific), gorgeous beaches, pink granite cliffs and ancient history. Finistere, at the most westerly tip, appropriately means ‘end of the earth’. The port of Roscoff receives overnight ferries from Plymouth, England and is really a well-liked route for holiday makers who are welcomed to this rocky coastline.
Centuries old stone-built cottages line the streets of every small village. Solidly built and grey with hints of colour, they’re part of the charm of this region. Nearby fishermen still make a living from the oyster beds along the jagged coastline while the gorgeous sandy coves make it a well-liked area with holiday-makers. Further south the Brittany coast becomes gentler, with wooded ravines leading down to charming coastal villages. Brittany enjoys a mild climate but does get lots of rainfall with sunny summer days reaching 30C.
Brittany still holds dear some of its unique heritage such as galettes (a type of pancake, similar to a crepe), drinking cider, playing Celtic music and wearing traditional costumes. Rennes is the regional capital; Vannes and Dinan have lovely medieval half-timbered buildings along with nearby markets, cafes and family-owned shops. On the north coast, defense castles at Fougeres and Vitre still remain remarkably intact after centuries. They defended Celtic Brittany from invaders (the French!) until the final union with the rest of France in the sixteenth century.
Carnac is a place of historic importance. Rows of stone megaliths, recognized locally as ‘dolmen’ scatter the peninsula yet their purpose and significance remains a complete mystery. Other stone work could be seen at numerous crossroads on country roads. The Calvary sculptures are elaborate shrines, with a carved crucifixion scene and are only found in Western Brittany. The fortified towns in Brittany are wonderful locations to explore. As well as its impressive walls and fortress, St Malo has an impressive chateau which now houses the nearby museum. Other delights to see are the Cathedral of St Vincent, the aquarium and the Solidor Tower which has many maritime relics.
Vitre has a fine castle with pointed turrets and impregnable walls. Visit the museum inside and see the local sculptures and artwork. There’s also a Gothic church and a market every Monday which sells local produce, plants and flowers. There are a number of beaches around Dinard with life guards and beach clubs to entertain younger kids. Kayaks and windsurfing can also be enjoyed here. St Cast and St Brieuc are also gorgeous family-friendly beaches.
Even though most individuals visit Brittany to experience beautiful france beaches, you will find lots of other things to do. Boat trips out of the numerous harbors provide scenic tours and some include fishing too. Sail to the tiny offshore islands of ‘Les Vedettes de 7 Iles’ which are wild bird sanctuaries. The nearby pink granite can also be observed here. Tour the military port of Brest from the water, or sail up the River Odet in a glass-bottomed boat. Finish the day at one of the delightful local restaurants where dining is a leisurely loved ones event. Fresh fish features high on local menus and france cuisine is in a league of its own.