Brittany, a country with a thousand facets
The Tour of Brittany is a journey that will take you on paths that will surprise you at every turn. From Morbihan to Ille et Vilaine, from Côtes d'Armor to Finistère, each of these countries will amaze you. If it is said that in Brittany "you can see 4 seasons in one day"...You can also go from the beach to the jagged coasts, from a small fishing port to a modern city, from the beaches to the hilly hinterland. An endless journey and endless photos.
Let's start before describing it's different regions with a bit of history in a nutshell.
Man has always lived on this corner of land since the Stone Age and has left us with memories of menhirs and other dolmens (especially in Carnac), then came multiple tribes and the Gallo-Roman war (remember Vercingetorix). As the story progressed, our English friends decided to invade this corner of France (which was not yet) and create the Kingdom of Brittany. Brittany will eventually become independent again before integrating the Kingdom of France in the 15th century The 16th and 17th centuries will be the golden age of Brittany...the era of the corsairs too. The French Revolution of 1792 will lead to strong opposition from Brittany to this new regime. When in the 20th century, it will see more than 150,000 young Bretons disappear in the trenches from 1914 to 1918. The 2nd World War will be just as sad, Nazi Germany occupying Brittany from 1940, and in particular these ports from which the U.Boot (submarine) could leave. It will also see the Loire Atlantique department join the "Pays de Loire" region under the leadership of Marshal Pétain in 1941...Until then this department was part of Brittany...A wound still open today!! Finally from 1950 to 1970, the "glorious 30"... good and prosperous years for Brittany as for the rest of France... The oil shocks of the years 1973 and more will bring us to the present day... but that will be another story to write
I promised you a visit to Brittany so let's go. Two small maps to find your way easily
First of all, Ille et Vilaine, the easternmost department of Brittany. Its capital, Rennes is known for its medieval half-timbered houses and its huge cathedral. You can also follow in the footsteps of corsairs in Saint-Malo or explore the forest of Brocéliande in search of King Arthur's sword. The port of Cancale will make you discover these oysters to taste directly on the spot with a small glass of white wine. For dessert, why not a little Redon chestnut jam. Finally, go and watch the dolphins in the bay of Mont Saint Michel...but also the sheep in the salt marshes. Without forgetting the Emerald Coast... The tip of Grouin or the tip of Varde among other extraordinary places
We continue our journey to the West to discover the department of Côtes d'Amor Who has never heard of the sunsets on the Côte de Granit Rose? To see the granite giants blush under the setting sun... what a sight!! If you prefer seabirds, the bay of Saint Brieuc or the archipelagos of the 7 islands will fill you with joy. Unless you are interested in other old stones...Castles and abbeys will not leave you unmoved :) And why not go fishing on foot? You choose!
We have arrived in the department of Finistère...At the tip of the French coast When we talk about Finistère we often think of torn coasts, missing sailors, storms... But Finistère is not just that... It's also tasting a kouign-amann, listening to the concerts of " old plows" or traditional Breton music. It also means visiting these big cities, Douarnenez, Brest, Quimper and many others. And why not hiking in the Monts d'Arrée?
We will end our tour of Brittany by the department of Morbihan Very sunny department where tourists flock in summer to enjoy these beaches, like those of the Quiberon peninsula. But Morbihan is also about strolling through the medieval streets of Vannes or Aurey, tasting salted butter caramels, admiring the alignments of menhirs of Carnac, exploring the forest of Brocéliande (it straddles 2 departments), jump from island to island in its gulf (Ile aux Moines or ile d'Arz...)
I hope this overview of Brittany will make you want to go there if you haven't already. For those who like walking or long treks...You can tackle the GR34 which goes around Brittany...2000kms await you Good trip to all and good photos