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Occupying the rugged north western tip of France,
Brittany is the wildest and most untamed of all the French regions.
Buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, the coastline
is strewn with lighthouses, rocky coves, windswept heaths, sheltered
beaches and charismatic seaside villages.
Brittany did not become part of France until 1547.
This independence, along with its relative isolation from the rest
of the country, has created a distinctive Breton culture, language
and heritage closely related to those of Scotland, Cornwall and
Ireland.
Brittany is the most popular summer resort area in
France after the Cote d’Azur. The unspoilt white sandy beaches,
soaring cliffs and offshore islands attract thousands of tourists
each year. Some of the finest beaches in the province include those
at Carnac, Quiberon, Saint Malo and Dinard. Dinard has been a
seaside resort since the turn of the century. Its belle époque
mansions, old-fashioned bathing tents, and elegant cedar trees
transport you effortlessly back in time. Carnac is home to some of
the world’s most important megalithic sites.
The megaliths stretch for 13 kilometres north and
east of the townDrive around the region’s most western most
department - Finistere. The most Breton of all the departments in
Brittany, it is dotted with appealing fishing villages and boasts a
spectacularly rugged coastline. Visit Quimper, the cultural and
artistic capital of the department, take in the important naval port
of Brest or dine in the windswept Channel port of Roscoff.
A trip to the mysteriously beautiful Ile d’Ouessant
is a must. Lying 20 kilometres from the mainland, it is a great
place to observe Breton traditions and customs. The town of Vannes
in south-central Brittany is a lively medieval town with some
interesting museums and excellent restaurants.
The city of Rennes has been the capital of Brittany
since the 16th century. Stop for a coffee in the attractive
pedestrianised old city. The Paimpont Forest lies 40 kilometres to
the south of Rennes. It is here, according to Arthurian legend, that
the young Arthur received the sword Excalibur from the fairy Vivian.
Mysterious and enchanting, Brittany is an unforgettable holiday
destination.
Health care
No requirements although it is advisable to ensure
that tetanus and polio are up to date. Free or reduced-cost
emergency health treatment is available, in most cases on production
of form E111.
Weather Report
A temperate climate in the north; north-western
areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder
winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow
likely in winter, below is a listing of the average daily
temperatures for the region.
| Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 10° |
11° |
12° |
14° |
16° |
20° |
24° |
25° |
24° |
14° |
12° |
9° |
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