Brittany Eyewitness Travel Guide, France

Much of Brittany's history dates back to its Celtic roots. The landscape is littered with ancient and mysterious standing stones and the local language (sadly in danger of dying out) is based on Celtic, more closely resembling Welsh than French. The Celts came from Britain in around the 6th century with their culture, traditions and folklore that still reign supreme in the region today, particularly in the rather arid interior, lending Brittany a touch of mystery and enchantment. Keep your eyes open and you may even imagine you spy a Cornish pixie in the underbrush! The Bretons maintained an independent state until the 16th century in this northwest corner of France, which protrudes into the Atlantic with an irregular coastline featuring inlets, cliffs, offshore islands and stretches of white, sandy beach.

It is the coastline that has made Brittany the most popular summer holiday destination in France, next to the Côte d'Azur, for both French and foreign visitors. The coast is liberally sprinkled with resorts and campsites, always full during the summer season.

Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
One of France's best-known attractions, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is situated on a rocky island just off the coast of Normandy and Brittany. It was founded in 708 by the Bishop of Avranches, who built a chapel here. Construction of the current abbey began in 1023 but was not finished for 400 years. Built with granite, it encompasses a range of architectural styles, from Norman to Gothic. The abbey was a place for pilgrimages for centuries and also served as a monastery, a prison and a fortress against the English. There is still a Benedictine monastery within the abbey, which can be visited on a guided tour. Among the maze of cobbled streets within the walls of the abbey are a number of other attractions including a maritime museum and a multimedia museum that tells the story of the island. The abbey is connected to the shore by a causeway, but there are plans to construct a bridge to it so that the sea will again flow freely around the island.

Source: wordtravels.com

Things To Do and See in Brittany

Fort National, Saint-Malo, Brittany
Built in 1689 to protect the city.
Attraction type: Historic site; Military base/facility

Gavrinis Island, Vannes, Brittany
This scenic island is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty

as well as its many prehistoric ruins.
Attraction type: Island

Oceanopolis, Brest, Brittany
One of Brittany's main tourist attractions, this aquarium is known

as the biggest open-air aquarium in Europe.
Attraction type: Aquarium

Cathedrale Saint Pierre, Vannes, Brittany
It took more than 600 years to build this architectural wonder.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Religious site

Cathedrale St-Pierre, Rennes, Brittany
Attraction type: Religious site