Brittany (Breizh) is France's westernmost peninsula — a Celtic heartland thrust into the Atlantic where granite cliffs, prehistoric megaliths, medieval walled cities, and 2,800 kilometres of coastline combine into one of Europe's most distinctive travel destinations.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Brittany.
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1
Carnac Megalith Alignments
Over 3,000 standing stones run in parallel rows across the moorland outside Carnac, raised by Neolithic communities roughly 5,000 years ago for reasons still debated by archaeologists. The stones are grouped into distinct sets — Ménec, Kermario, and Kerlescan — with the largest menhirs near the western end and the rows tapering in size further east. Walking the perimeter paths gives you the scale of the site even without a guided tour, since the interior alignments are fenced off outside of visits to protect the turf and stone bases.
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2
Saint-Malo Walled City and Ramparts
Saint-Malo's old town sits inside a complete circuit of granite ramparts built up over centuries to defend a port that once housed corsairs licensed by the French crown to raid enemy shipping. Much of the interior was rebuilt after near-total destruction in 1944, using the original stone and street layout, so the town looks medieval while many buildings are only decades old. Walking the full loop of the walls takes you above the rooftops and out over the tidal flats and offshore forts.
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3
Pointe du Raz
This granite headland juts into the Atlantic at the western tip of the Cap Sizun peninsula, with cliffs dropping straight into water churned by strong currents where the Atlantic meets the Channel. It's one of the most exposed points on the Brittany coast, with a lighthouse visible offshore on the Île de Sein and, on clear days, views south to the Baie des Trépassés. The site was heavily eroded by uncontrolled foot traffic in the 20th century, so visitors now follow a managed path from the car park rather than crossing open grass to the edge.
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4
Côte de Granit Rose (Pink Granite Coast)
This stretch of coastline around Ploumanac'h and Perros-Guirec is defined by pink-hued granite boulders, some weathered into rounded shapes large enough to dwarf a person, scattered along the shore and just inland. The rock's colour comes from its mineral content and shows most strongly at sunset or after rain, when the surface darkens and the pink tones intensify. The customs officers' path (sentier des douaniers) threads between the boulders and the sea for several kilometres, passing the Ploumanac'h lighthouse along the way.
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5
Dinan Medieval Town
Dinan's old town climbs a hillside above the Rance river, with half-timbered houses lining Rue du Jerzual as it descends steeply to the old port, and a largely intact circuit of ramparts encircling the whole quarter. The château, a keep built by the Dukes of Brittany, anchors one corner of the walls and now houses the town museum. Unlike some restored Breton towns, much of Dinan's medieval fabric is original rather than rebuilt, which shows in the uneven street lines and overhanging upper floors.
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6
Gulf of Morbihan (Golfe du Morbihan)
This near-enclosed inland sea is dotted with small islands — around forty are said to be inhabited or habitable — and its narrow mouth to the Atlantic creates tidal currents strong enough to affect boat handling and swimming. Boat tours from Vannes loop between islands such as Île aux Moines and Île-d'Arz, and several islets hold Neolithic monuments, including the passage tomb at Gavrinis with its carved stone panels. The gulf's character changes completely between high and low tide, when large mudflats emerge around the smaller islets.
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7
Belle-Île-en-Mer
The largest of Brittany's offshore islands sits about an hour by ferry from the mainland, with Le Palais as its main harbor town, overlooked by a citadel built on Vauban's fortification designs. The west coast, known as the Côte Sauvage, is a run of cliffs and inlets shaped by Atlantic swell, including the Aiguilles de Port-Coton rock formations that Claude Monet painted repeatedly in the 1880s. Most visitors explore by rented bike, since the island's roads are manageable in a day but too spread out to cover comfortably on foot.
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8
Quimper Cathedral and Old Town
The Cathédrale Saint-Corentin's twin Gothic spires rise above Quimper's old town, with a statue of the legendary King Gradlon mounted on horseback between them — an unusual feature for a French cathedral facade. The surrounding streets hold half-timbered houses along the Steir river, and the town is closely tied to Breton faience pottery, painted in the region's traditional yellow, blue, and green designs. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, just off the cathedral square, holds a collection that includes Breton genre paintings from the 19th century.
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9
Cap Fréhel Cliffs and Lighthouse
Cap Fréhel is a headland on the Côtes-d'Armor coast where pink sandstone cliffs drop steeply into the Channel, topped by a lighthouse still in operation. The cliffs form part of a protected heathland reserve and are one of the highest points on Brittany's northern coastline, giving long views along the Emerald Coast toward Fort La Latte. Walking the coastal path here means exposed, windy terrain with no shade, so it rewards a clear day more than a foggy one.
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10
Château de Fougères
Fougères is one of the largest fortified castles in Europe, built low in a bend of the Nançon river rather than on a hilltop, which let its defenders stack thirteen towers around a wide curtain wall instead of relying on elevation. It grew over several centuries as the border stronghold between Brittany and France, and its scale is best appreciated by descending into the town first and looking back up at the walls from across the river. The interior courtyards and towers are open for self-guided walking, with some towers used for temporary exhibitions.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Prehistoric
Coastal_nature
Islands
Medieval_towns
Castles
Museums
Villages
Abbeys
Cathedrals
Forests
Markets
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Getting Around
- A hire car unlocks all of Brittany's best scenery. Trains serve Rennes, Brest, Quimper, Saint-Malo, Lorient, Vannes, and major towns. The BreizhGo network (breizhgo.bzh) integrates trains, buses, and ferries.
- Best Base
- Rennes for the east and inland; Saint-Malo or Dinard for the Emerald Coast; Quimper for Finistère; Vannes for Morbihan and the Gulf.
- Tourist Office
- Rennes central tourist office at 11 Rue Saint-Yves, 35000 Rennes (Monday–Saturday); Brittany regional tourism at tourismebretagne.com
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Hire a car in Rennes or Brest — the most dramatic sites (Pointe du Raz, Presqu'île de Crozon, Cap Fréhel) are inaccessible without one
Visit Carnac on a guided tour from Maison des Mégalithes rather than viewing from roadside only — the fenced sections can only be accessed with a guide
Book Belle-Île ferries at least 2 weeks ahead in July–August via compagnie-oceane.fr; the Quiberon–Belle-Île crossing sells out entirely
The GR34 coastal path follows the entire Brittany coastline — day-hiking individual sections is one of the best free activities in the region
Combine Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel in one afternoon drive — they are 5 km apart and both accessible from the same car park area
Frequently asked questions
Is a car necessary to visit Brittany?
For coastal highlights (Pointe du Raz, Cap Fréhel, Presqu'île de Crozon, Carnac), a hire car is strongly recommended. Major towns and islands are accessible by TER train and ferry without a car.
When is the best time to visit Brittany?
May–June and September–October for mild weather, open coastal paths, and lower prices. July–August is peak season with crowded beaches and fully booked coastal hotels.
Is Carnac worth visiting?
Yes — the Carnac alignments are the largest concentration of prehistoric standing stones in the world. The outdoor alignments are free to view from public paths; the fenced areas require a guided tour from Maison des Mégalithes (€6 (~$6.50)).