By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 5th December 2023 | Updated: 13th December 2024
So, you are planning a long weekend in Brittany, but where do you visit? Having visited Brittany for a week, it is somewhere we would love to explore more, but for a first trip to the area, these are the perfect places to visit in Brittany:
📍 Saint-Malo
📍 Fort la Latte
📍 Centre-Ville de Morlaix
📍 Josselin
📍 Rochefort-en-Terre
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
Places to visit in Brittany
1 . Saint-Malo
St Malo is a beautiful old town that feels like you’ve stepped back in time. The intra muros or ‘inside the walls’ is a must-visit district and a popular tourist destination. Just walking along the cobbled streets gives you a glimpse into Brittany’s historic past. You have to try La Mère Poulard Sables or Palet biscuits, they are to die for!
2. The Fort la Latte
Built in the 14th century Fort La Latte is unimaginable. A fort on top of a cliff, on a rocky outcrop above the sea that can only be reached by drawbridge! It truly is a remarkable sight, so wander the walls of St Malo with an ice cream in hand and gaze out to this majestic redesigned and restored fort.
3. Centre-Ville de Morlaix
You can’t have a long weekend to Brittany without a trip to Morlaix. This is the picture-perfect town you imagine when you dream of long summer days in France. With historic half-timbered houses, a picturesque harbour and flowers as far as the eye can see this town is brimming with French vibes. The huge viaduct that runs through the town not only adds to the beauty of the town but marks the boundary between the 16th and 17th-century heritage and history of the old port.
Thinking of heading to France? Check out our: 3 day itinerary for Paris
4. Josselin
Josselin is another unimaginably beautiful town in the Breton heartlands. It has the most fairytale-like medieval castle I have ever seen that sits alongside a pretty flower-lined canal, as well as amazing forest walks and an old town that transports you back in time. Another must-see if you are in the area!
5. Rochefort-en-Terre
Rochefort-en-Terre is a village bedecked with geraniums and historic wooden painted buildings. As you wind your way through narrow streets filled with the smell of freshly baked bread and flowers it is easy to see why it is known as one of Brittany’s most beautiful villages in bloom and most visited sites.
Where to stay in Brittany
Whilst visiting Brittany we stayed out in the middle of the countryside in a tiny village of less than 5 houses. Great for exploring the local area, but not so great if you want to eat at a restaurant for dinner and then walk home… We would highly recommend staying somewhere such as St Malo or Morlaix to get more accommodation options as well as eateries nearby.
Check out the best accommodation options for you below:
Places to Visit in Brittany FAQs
Is Brittany worth visiting?
Brittany is one region of France that is most definitely worth visiting. Not only is it often overlooked for other locations across France, making it slightly less busy, but it also has some of the most beautiful towns, villages, and coastlines you will find in Europe.
Where is Brittany?
Brittany is located in northwestern France, bordering the regions of Lower Normandy and Pays-de-la-Loire.
How to get to Brittany
The best way to get to Brittany is via Ferry, (from the UK), or by train, if you are coming from elsewhere in France or mainland Europe. You can then easily hire a car to get around the area, or just stick to the local public transport system to explore Brittany. However here are all the options of how to get to Brittany:
📍 By Plane – You can fly to Brittany, either into Rennes Bretagne Airport, or Nantes Atlantique Airport, depending on which part of Brittany you are visiting.
📍 By Ferry – You can also get to Brittany by ferry, (which is often one of the most convenient), to either St Malo or Roscoff.
📍 By Train / Public Transport – Getting to Brittany by train is also easy, with direct routes from Paris to Rennes, Brest and Quimper. You can then take coaches or buses around Brittany.
📍 By Car – If you arrive in France via car, (be it from a ferry or a neighbouring country), then Brittany is easy to get around. You can also easily hire a car to get around the area too.
What is the best way to get around Brittany?
By far the best way to get around Brittany is by car. Rent one and bring a couple of friends along for the ride! We actually drove over from the UK, taking the ferry and then exploring the area of Brittany over the space of a week.
When is the best time to visit Brittany?
We visited earlier summer before the schools broke up for the summer holidays and before it got really warm which was great. Warm evenings, long daylight hours and the perfect weather all day every day!
What is there to do in Brittany?
Brittany is full of medieval towns to wander, charming beaches to relax on, and historic chateaux to explore alongside a wealth of fine dining and Breton festivals and markets.
What is Brittany famous for?
Brittany is famous for its historic architecture and neolithic sites across the region. There are roughly 3000 standing stones across Brittany, making it one location in Europe, that has the most Neolithic heritage sites. Apart from that Brittany is also known for its beautiful coastline. It is also rather well known for its local delicacies and the national dish of Brittany, the crêpe!
How long to spend in Brittany?
We would recommend spending at least a week exploring Brittany, but even then, you will only touch the surface of the region.
Is Brittany nice for a holiday?
Brittany is a wonderful location for a holiday, with plenty for everyone to enjoy. You can also opt to visit the coastal areas of Brittany, the historic villages and towns in the centre of the region or a mixture of the two.
What is the most beautiful village in Brittany?
The most beautiful village in Brittany, (and often voted as such year after year), is Rochefort-en-Terre. With timber framed buildings covered in geranium-filled flower boxes and the scent of freshly baked Breton biscuits wafting through the air, what more could you want?
What is the nicest seaside town in Brittany?
The nicest seaside town in Brittany has to be Saint-Malo, with its beautiful walled city lovely beaches and delicious food.
What is the most visited city in Brittany?
The most visited city in Brittany is Rennes, which is also the capital of the region.
Conclusion: Places to Visit in Brittany
And there you have it, the top 5 places to visit in Brittany! Why not stop by elsewhere in France while you are visiting? Check out our other blog posts on France here.
All Our France Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 The Perfect 3 Days In Paris Itinerary
📍 2 week road trip in France itinerary
📍 7 Must See Cities, Towns And Villages In France
📍 3 days in the Alsace – Wine Route Itinerary
📍 Is Montmartre Worth Visiting? A Montmartre Guide
Planning your own trip to France? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.