Brittany
Brittany suits travelers who want Atlantic coastline, granite cliffs, prehistoric standing stones and a distinct regional culture, with towns close enough to link in one trip.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Brittany is a region in northwest France, a peninsula that reaches into the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. Its people have a distinct identity, and Breton, a Celtic language, is still spoken and written on signs beside French. The GR34 coast path follows the shoreline for about 2,000 kilometers.
The coast is the main reason to go: walled Saint-Malo on the north shore, the granite cliffs of the Pink Granite Coast, and harbors where oysters and mussels are sold fresh. Inland, the prehistoric standing stones at Carnac are a short drive from Vannes. Buckwheat galettes, sweet crêpes and cider are the local staples. Rennes, the regional capital, has a timber-framed old quarter and museums. Allow four or five days for Rennes, Saint-Malo and one coastal day, or a week to add a stretch of the GR34 and Vannes. The best months are May, June and September.
Brittany in five
- Save 112 and the French emergency numbers112 reaches the police, fire service and ambulance across the EU. In France, 15 gets the SAMU ambulance, 17 the police and 18 the fire service.
- Take the train from Paris to RennesTrains from Paris Montparnasse reach Rennes in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Saint-Malo and Vannes connect from Rennes, so a car is only needed for the smaller coastal villages.Getting around
- Check the tide before walking to Grand BéGrand Bé, the island off Saint-Malo where Chateaubriand is buried, is reached on foot only at low tide. Check tide times before you go and leave before the causeway floods.Saint-Malo
- Carry your passport for the Channel Islands ferryJersey and Guernsey are outside the EU, so ferry trips from Saint-Malo involve passport checks. Bring your passport and check the operator's luggage limits before you pack.
- Set up an eSIM and offline maps for the coast pathThe GR34 coast path runs for long stretches between towns. Download offline maps before you start, and set up an eSIM before you land.Phones and eSIM
Neighborhoods
Rennes
- Best for: Rail travellers, city sights
- Price band: $$
- Main station and metro line on foot
- Timber-framed houses in the old quarter
- Bars and restaurants on the old streets
Skip if you want a seaside base.
St-Malo
Saint-Malo is a walled port on Brittany's Channel coast. Walk the ramparts, trace its privateer past and use the town as a base for ferries to England and the Channel Islands.
Things to do in Brittany
See all attractions in Brittany
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen rules; many passports visa-free for short stays Read more
- Emergency
- 112 EU-wide; 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected; service is usually included, rounding up is normal
- Time
- UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 in summer (CET/CEST)
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, wet
- MarchMild, windy
- AprilShowers, spring
- MayMild, bright
- JuneLong days
- JulySummer crowds
- AugustPeak crowds
- SeptemberWarm, quieter
- OctoberAutumn storms
- NovemberWet, windy
- DecemberCold, wet
Festivals: Aug Festival Interceltique de Lorient
Right now in Brittany
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Brittany
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°8%Monday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Tue11°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed8°2°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu8°4°13%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri11°2°11%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat11°3°4%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun9°3°10%Sunday: Fog. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 05:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- AugFestival Interceltique de LorientBrittany
Day trips by train
- Saint-Maloabout 1 hour by train from RennesWalled town, ramparts and beaches on the north coast.Read the guide
- Vannesabout 1 to 1.5 hours by train from RennesMedieval walls, a half-timbered old town and boats into the gulf.
- Carnac standing stonesabout 30 to 40 min by car from VannesRows of prehistoric standing stones on the south coast.
Before you go to Brittany
Rules for Brittany, checked
- Check Schengen entry for your passport on France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr) before you book.Source
- Carry your passport on the Saint-Malo ferries to Jersey and Guernsey, which are outside the EU.
- Ask before you photograph people at a local festival or a religious service, and follow the organizers' rules.
Plan around Brittany
Walled town, ramparts and the ferry port
Read the guideRennesThe regional capital and main rail hub
Read the guideVisas and entryWhat to check before you fly to France
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, buses and driving between towns
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical prices in France
Read the guideBrittany FAQ
Is Brittany worth visiting?
Yes, for coast walks, walled towns and Breton food. Rennes and Saint-Malo are the easiest bases by train, while smaller coastal villages need a car or a bus timetable.
How do you get to Brittany from Paris?
Take a TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes, about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Rennes, trains run to Saint-Malo and Vannes, and buses reach smaller coastal towns.
How many days do you need in Brittany?
Four or five days covers Rennes, Saint-Malo and one coastal day. A week lets you walk a stretch of the GR34 and add Vannes or the Gulf of Morbihan.
When is the best time to visit Brittany?
May, June and September give mild weather and good conditions for walking. July and August are the busiest months, and winter is cold and wet.
Is Brittany good for hiking?
Yes. The GR34 coast path runs around the peninsula, and day walks from Saint-Malo or Vannes cover parts of it. Bring shoes with grip, since paths can be muddy and rocky.
Do you need a car in Brittany?
Not for Rennes, Saint-Malo or Vannes. A car helps for small villages and headland walks, where buses run less often.