Bretagne (Brittany) Region

Bretagne (Brittany) is a large peninsula lying between the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the South. Its capital city is Rennes. It is known for its rocky coastline. It is also known for its sandy beaches and has a popular resort, La Baule.

There are a number of interesting towns in this area. Brest is located on the western tip of Bretagne. It is a port city and a naval base. Brest has a maritime museum and an aquarium, the Oceanopolis Marine Center. Located on the outskirts of the town are sandy beaches and granite cliffs. Popular water activities include yachting, windsurfing, sunbathing, and fishing.

Concarneau is a fishing town. There is a modern town on the mainland and a walled town, the medieval Villa Close, in the center of the harbor. The Villa Close caters to tourists. It has a number of restaurants and shops and houses the fishing museum. A drawbridge connects it to the mainland. The annual Fete des Filets Bleu (Festival of the Blue Nets) is held in August. The festival is named for the traditional blue nets of the city's fishing fleet.

One of the most famous cities in Bretagne is Lannion. It attracts a lot of tourists to the old quarter in the summer. There are a number of cafes, bars, and restaurants which cater to local and international cuisine. An attraction of interest is a templar church. During the summer months, regular concerts are held in the town square.

Tourism plays an important part in the economy of the fishing port Lorient. There are several large yachting marinas in the bay. An annual festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, draws large numbers of tourists to the area. This is a Celtic music festival. There are also tours of the former German submarine base, Keroman.

If you are looking for a town with a rustic atmosphere, visit Quimper. Its sights include the Church of Loconaria which dates from the 11th century. There is also the Cathedral of Saint-Corentin which was constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. It is the oldest Gothic structure in lower Bretagne. The town has half-timbered houses and shops. The fine arts museum houses a collection of 14th to the present paintings which include works by Boucher, Oudry, and Rubens.

Quimper is known for its pottery which has been crafted there since 1690. Supposedly the best crepes and cider in Bretagne can be found in the town. Quimper is also noted for its Winter Music Festival. During the summer, there are impromptu concerts on street corners.

Bregagne has another walled city, Saint-Malo. This is a popular tourist area in summer. The highest concentration of seafood restaurants is found here. It is the most visited town in the region. Attractions in the city are the walled cit, La Ville Intra Muroc, the Chateau of Saint-Malo, and the Cathedral of St. Vincent.

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