10 Best Things to do this Summer in Bretagne-Finistère

Built on the vestiges of a Roman town, Quimper is Brittany’s oldest city, and a feast for the senses. Wander Vieux Quimper (Old Town) with its tiny pedestrian streets, river footbridges, iconic timbered houses, and imposing – and famously bent – 13^th-century cathedral. Many of the walkways here are home to local artisan craft shops, and the pottery they produce has an enduring reputation.

This is one of the most popular places for couples to visit in summer in Bretagne-Finistère. After a bit of a stroll, you’ll probably want to hit the aptly named medieval Place au Beurre (Butter Square), for excellent homemade crepes, best washed down with pitchers of local apple cider.

Forêt de Paimpont has been part of the literary legend since the 12^th century, when medieval poet Chrétien de Troyes first wrote of Lancelot, Percival, and the Holy Grail. An area of protected natural beauty, it's also the birthplace of what was once considered only a legend. Many make the pilgrimage here to discover the real-life sites that inspired Arthurian tradition.

Visit the Barenton Fountain, frequented by Merlin, and rumoured since antiquity to possess miraculous powers, granting health and wishes to those who drink its water. Also nearby are the Valley of No Return and the Eglise du Graal, the only church in the world dedicated to the quest for the Holy Grail.

Located on a bay with no less than 4 picturesque harbours, Douarnenez is one of the most charming seaside villages in Brittany. Originally a fisherman’s village, Douarnenez was once a leader in the worldwide sardine industry. While those days have passed, the captivating former seaport is replete with artisanal boutiques, cafés, and lazy footpaths where you can imagine the hustle and bustle of its historic past.

Douarnenez is also home to some excellent seaside spots, such as the family-friendly Plage des Dames (Ladies’ Beach), and the Isle of Tristan, where, some say, pirates once buried their treasure.

Camaret-sur-Mer is a delightful little village situated at one end of the Crozon Peninsula. It was once Europe’s leading lobster port and is known as much for its colourful former fisherman’s houses and art galleries as its easy-going seaside ambience.

Make sure you visit the 17^th century Tour Vauban, known as the “Golden Tower”, which once helped defeat an Anglo-Dutch fleet on its way to attack Brest. It’s the only UNESCO World Heritage monument in Brittany. Walking fans will enjoy the nearby pointe de Pen-Hir promontory and its views of the “islands at the edge of the world”, the Ile de Ouessant and Ile de Sein.

Saint Nicolas Island, in the Glénan Archipelago, is blessed with one of the most beautiful beaches in Brittany. Located within one of France’s smallest wildlife preserves, this sparsely inhabited island is home to a pristine white-sand beach as well as some excellent diving spots, which you can enjoy through the local diving school.

It’s home to a rare species of daffodil, found nowhere else in the world. The island, accessible only in the summertime, can be reached by ferry from local towns – Bénodet is the best bet. Plage de l’Ile Saint Nicolas is perfect for an afternoon picnic and a peaceful, leisurely stroll.

Located on the verdant Kernéléhen peninsula in northern Finistère, Cairn de Barnenez is a prehistoric megalith built sometime around 4500 BC. It’s one of the most unique and impressive monuments in Brittany, but also one of the oldest manmade structures in the world, predating the Great Pyramid of Giza by 2,000 years!

Explore the 11 burial chambers as well the numerous Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts found during the site’s renovation at the entranceway exhibition hall. Look out for wall engravings for rare examples of megalithic art, including depictions of goddesses and various arcane symbols.

Menhir de Kerloas is the tallest monolith in France, located a couple of miles from Plouazel village in northern Finistère. Made from perfectly cut granite, the 150-tonne monument, visible for more than 30 kilometres, is nearly 10 metres tall.

Legend has it that it was even taller, but that a 17th-century lightning strike sheared a couple of metres off the top. Erected 5,000 years ago on a ridge more than 130 metres above sea level, the monolith is rumoured to have special properties and, over the years, many young couples have made the pilgrimage in hopes the menhir would grant them fertility.

Musée de la Préhistoire en Finistère is a small museum that’s well worth a visit, as much for the pristine beauty of the local area as for their treasure trove of more than 3,000 archaeological artefacts. It’s situated in Penmarch, also known as Brittany’s “Lands’ End” (the southernmost commune in the region).

The collection here, including Bronze Age tools and weapons, prehistoric pottery, and even reconstituted mausoleums, making for an interesting detour. Also, lies Pors Carn beach is just a couple of kilometres away – a favourite with families and surfing enthusiasts.

Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse is an official historic monument originally constructed in 1835. Overlooking the Iroise Sea, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Brittany and has long been a symbol to the area’s sailors. For photographers, this is one of the most popular places in Bretagne-Finistère.

Climb the lighthouse’s 163 steps for a commanding 360-degree view of local sites such as the Pointe du Raz, a famous local promontory, or the tiny Molène archipelago. Also, be sure to check out the ruins of the Benedictine abbey upon which the lighthouse is built.

Château du Taureau is an island fortress in Morlaix Bay and is one of the most unique spots to visit in all of Brittany. It was originally built in the 16^th century and, over the years since, has been used as a fortress, prison, and even a holiday home. This imposing monument is packed with history and hosts organised activities for the whole family.

Freely roam the building’s 3 different levels or take part in guided tours that help you relive the time of pirates. For the ultimate experience, grab breakfast or a picnic, and soak up the ambience while enjoying delicious local specialities.