Discover Brittany

The crêperies

In Concarneau, Le Penty, within the walls of the Ville Close, is known for its crispy buckwheat crêpes. It's one of the few crêperie open almost all year round. Also in Concarneau, Ti Clémentine (Quai de la Croix) is recommended for a snack or a full meal.

In Quimper, the Place au Beurre is the sure bet for crêpes. This square, made up entirely of crêperies, is a haven for food lovers. We recommend An Diskuizh (meaning "rest") or La Crêperie du Quartier. Both sit in old Quimper houses. Do book ahead, though, as tables are scarce!

Seafood & fish

In La Forêt-Fouesnant, the Viviers de Penfoulic'h offer on-site tasting of oysters, mussels, clams and periwinkles harvested just metres from the shore: the no-frills spot.

In Concarneau, a true fishing port, the harbour and fish markets offer langoustines, line-caught sea bass and the catch of the day, both at the market and the fishmongers. And in Douarnenez, the Bigorneau Amoureux, on the cliff, offers a stunning view over the bay.

Finer dining

In Pont-Aven, Le Moulin de Rosmadec is the benchmark fine-dining table, in a romantic setting by the Aven: Breton lobster and langoustines for an exceptional meal. Also in Pont-Aven, La Taupinière is a local institution, refined Breton cuisine cooked over a wood fire.

In Sainte-Marine, Les Trois Rochers offer a fine table in an elegant setting, facing the Odet.

Finally, in Landrevarzec, Ty Coz offers a lovely fine-dining table with refined, local cuisine.

Where to hit the beach

In Concarneau, Sables Blancs beach is a family beach, a 10-minute walk from the Ville Close: 500 m of fine sand, supervised swimming in summer and beachfront cafés for a sunset drink. The lesser-known Kerlaeren beach is stunning, with white sand and rocks. Check the wind direction to avoid the seaweed.

In Fouesnant, Beg-Meil and its coves reveal crystal-clear water, a string of coves and the GR34 coastal paths, in a mild microclimate sheltered from the winds. We especially recommend Bot Conan beach, a small sheltered cove where you might spot Bag Melen, Jean-Claude's new boat. Cap-Coz, with its long two-kilometre stretch of fine sand, is also a good spot.

In Tréboul, Saint Jean beach, below the coastal path, is among the most beautiful wild beaches, with a view of the Crozon peninsula opposite. It's Samar's favourite beach. Kervel beach, Laurence's childhood beach and over four kilometres long, is also very beautiful. Watch out for the tide, as the sea retreats very far. Nearby is Sainte-Anne-la-Palud beach, a lovely wild beach with large dunes and a few waves. Something tells me Samar found the treasure around here. Finally, in Bénodet, Trez beach, a long stretch of sand at the mouth of the Odet, is handy for families with its ice-cream stands and shops.

The Glénan & the sea

The Glénan archipelago is the Breton Caribbean: islands with turquoise waters and white sand, in a nature reserve. The boat crossing leaves from Concarneau, Bénodet or Beg-Meil (Vedettes de l'Odet, Glénan Découverte), for swimming and diving. Remember to book in advance.

There are many other islands, more or less well known. Don't hesitate to ask us or the locals, who will be happy to help.

Towns & villages of character

In Concarneau, the Ville Close, a 15th-century fortified town on an island in the heart of the port, lines up cobbled lanes, ramparts and the Fishing Museum: the beating heart of the tuna port. We recommend the Fishing Museum, which is excellent and lets you tour a trawler at the end. Twenty-five minutes away, Pont-Aven, the town of painters that inspired Gauguin, nestles in the Aven estuary, with its mills, galleries and the Bois d'Amour. The Pont-Aven Museum is worth a visit.

Locronan, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, is a timeless granite town, the backdrop for many films (Tess, A Very Long Engagement), with its Renaissance square free of cables and aerials. Thirty minutes away, Quimper, capital of Cornouaille, unfolds its Saint-Corentin cathedral, half-timbered houses, the Odet quays, its faience workshops and its Fine Arts museum.

On the coast, Douarnenez, the town of four ports, is a sardine town turned towards the sea (Port-Musée, Plomarc'h path). And between Pont-Aven and Concarneau, Névez reveals an unusual heritage of houses with standing-granite walls and thatched roofs, with the little port of Brigneau nearby.

Specialities

The kouign-amann was born in Douarnenez in 1860: several bakeries make it. This cake, whose name literally means "butter cake", is of course a must for your summer-body prep. In Concarneau, La Maison du Kouign Amann (18 Place Saint-Guénolé, in the Ville Close) is a safe bet to take some home. Please, don't pronounce the name of this cake like 80% of people do. The true pronunciation is "kouign amann" (rhymes with "un", not "kouign amane"!!!!). Otherwise, the far breton, a prune custard cake, is also a local speciality.

In Fouesnant, the Cidrerie de Menez Brug (54 Hent Carbon) produces a farm cider reputed among the best, with guided tours on Wednesdays from 15 June to 15 September. Over in Concarneau, the Tri Martolod Brewery (ZA du Colguen) showcases its Breton craft beers, and the Conserverie Gonidec (2 rue Henri Fabre) its traditional sardines and seafood.

Finally, you can't leave without the famous Pont-Aven galettes (Traou Mad), pure-butter biscuits: the must-have tin to bring home.

The markets

In Concarneau, the Friday market is the big event: up to 200 stalls from the Halles square to the marina. The covered market is open daily from 8 am to 1 pm, with an organic market on Wednesday afternoons.

In the other towns, there's a market almost every day: Bénodet on Monday, Sainte-Marine on Wednesday, Fouesnant and Pont-l'Abbé on Friday, La Forêt-Fouesnant on Sunday, Quimper on Wednesday and Saturday.