Honestly, most people treat Brittany like a rainy afterthought to Normandy. They see the map, notice it’s that rugged "thumb" sticking out into the Atlantic, and assume it’s just craggy rocks and gray skies. But if you actually spend time there, you realize it’s basically a different country. The locals will tell you the same. It’s "Breizh," not just another French region.
If you are looking for things to do in brittany france, don't just stick to the cruise ship stops. Sure, the walled city of Saint-Malo is cool, but have you ever stood in a forest that supposedly holds Merlin’s grave while the wind whistles through 500-year-old oaks? That’s the real stuff.
The Pink Granite Coast and the Art of Doing Nothing
You’ve probably seen photos of the Côte de Granit Rose. It’s located in the north, mostly around Ploumanac’h. The rocks aren’t just "sorta" pink; they are a deep, blush-copper color that looks almost fake against the turquoise water.
Most tourists just snap a photo of the Mean Ruz lighthouse and leave. Don't do that. Instead, get on the GR34 customs path. It’s this massive trail that goes around the entire coast. You don't have to hike the whole 2,000 kilometers—obviously. Just walk the stretch between Perros-Guirec and Trégastel.
Keep your eyes peeled for weirdly shaped boulders. There’s one called "Napoleon's Hat" and another that looks like a "Painter's Palette." It’s basically nature’s version of a Rorschach test.
Forget Crepes, Eat a Galette (The Right Way)
Look, if you call a savory buckwheat pancake a "crepe" in a local market, someone might politely correct you. Or just judge you silently. In Brittany, the savory ones are galettes. They are made from buckwheat flour (farine de sarrasin), which makes them earthy, nutty, and naturally gluten-free.
Go to the Place des Lices market in Rennes on a Saturday morning. It’s one of the biggest in France. You have to try a galette-saucisse. It’s literally a grilled sausage wrapped in a cold galette. It’s the ultimate Breton street food. No fancy plates, just a napkin and maybe some strong mustard.
While we're on food, we need to talk about Kouign-Amann. The name literally translates to "butter cake." It’s layers of bread dough, insane amounts of salted butter, and sugar. When it bakes, the sugar caramelizes into this crunchy, gooey crust. It’s heavy. It’s dangerous. It’s the best thing you’ll ever eat.
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Expert Tip: If you’re in Dinan, head to Boulangerie L´Arome Sucre. Their Kouign-Amann is legendary.
The Islands: Belle-Île and the Disappearing Roads
Brittany has hundreds of islands, but Belle-Île-en-Mer is the queen. You take a ferry from Quiberon. It’s rugged, wild, and looks like something out of a Monet painting—mostly because Monet actually painted there.
Then there’s Saint-Cado. It’s a tiny island in the Etel river with a single stone house sitting on a patch of land in the middle of the water. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the region for a reason.
If you like a bit of drama, check the tide times for Le Grand Bé in Saint-Malo. You can walk out to this island to see the tomb of the writer Chateaubriand, but if you linger too long, the tide comes in and you’re stuck there. Seriously. People get stranded every year because they don't respect the Atlantic tides, which are some of the strongest in Europe.
Things to Do in Brittany France: The Mythical Interior
Everyone stays on the coast. That’s a mistake. The heart of Brittany is where the weird, magical stuff happens.
Brocéliande Forest (officially called Paimpont Forest) is where the King Arthur legends live. You can visit the Val sans Retour (Vale of No Return), where Morgan le Fay supposedly imprisoned unfaithful knights. It’s a deep valley of red schist rocks.
Nearby, there’s the Church of the Grail in Tréhorenteuc. An eccentric priest named Abbé Gillard spent years decorating it with a mix of Christian imagery and Arthurian symbols. It’s the only place in the world where you’ll see the Knights of the Round Table in stained glass right next to Jesus.
Carnac: The Stonehenge You Can Actually Visit
The Carnac Stones are older than Stonehenge and way more confusing. There are over 3,000 standing stones (menhirs) lined up in rows.
Why? Nobody knows.
- Ancient calendar? Maybe.
- Religious site? Probably.
- Roman soldiers turned to stone by a wizard? That’s the local legend.
You can walk around them, but during the summer, they fence off the main areas to protect the site. If you want to get up close, book a guided tour or go in the "off-season" between October and March when the gates are often open.
Coastal Fortresses and Medieval Time Travel
If you like castles, Brittany is your playground. Fort La Latte is a must. It’s a 14th-century fortress perched on a cliff edge near Cap Fréhel. You have to cross two drawbridges to get in. It’s been used in a dozen movies because it looks exactly like what a "fortress" should look like.
Then there’s Dinan. It’s arguably the best-preserved medieval town in Brittany. The Rue du Jerzual is a steep, cobbled street lined with half-timbered houses and artisan shops. It leads down to the old port.
Fair warning: your calves will burn. The hill is no joke. But the view of the Rance river from the top of the town walls makes it worth the sweat.
The Cider Situation
In most of France, it’s all about wine. In Brittany, it’s all about Cidre.
It’s served in a ceramic bowl (bolée), not a glass. You’ll see three main types:
- Cidre Doux: Sweet, low alcohol (usually around 2%).
- Cidre Brut: Dry, crisp, and stronger.
- Cidre Demi-Sec: Somewhere in the middle.
Pair it with a bowl of mussels (moules-frites). The mussels in Cancale are world-famous. You can actually buy a plate of fresh oysters right off the stalls at the harbor and eat them while sitting on the sea wall. Just toss the shells back into the ocean—everyone does it. There’s a giant pile of shells under the pier that’s been growing for decades.
Beyond the Obvious: Huelgoat
If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy novel, go to Huelgoat. It’s a forest filled with massive, moss-covered boulders that look like they were dropped by giants.
There’s a specific rock called the Trembling Rock (Roche Tremblante). It weighs 137 tons, but if you find the exact right spot to push, it actually wobbles. It’s a rite of passage for kids (and adults who haven't grown up) to try and move it.
Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind
Brittany is big. Don't try to see the north and south coasts in one weekend. You’ll just spend the whole time in a rental car.
The roads are good, and weirdly, they don't have tolls (unlike the rest of France). This is thanks to an old treaty involving Anne of Brittany back in the day.
If you’re coming from Paris, the TGV train to Rennes takes only about 90 minutes. From there, you should really rent a car. The best spots—the hidden coves, the tiny chapels, the forest trails—aren't accessible by train.
Essential Logistics for 2026
- Best Time to Visit: June and September are the sweet spots. July and August are packed with Parisians, and everything is twice the price.
- Weather: It changes every ten minutes. Bring a raincoat even if the sun is out. The Bretons say "In Brittany, it only rains on idiots," which is their way of saying you should just go outside anyway.
- Language: Most people speak English in tourist spots, but learning a few words of Breton (like Kenavo for goodbye) will get you a lot of smiles.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make this trip actually happen, you should start by picking a "base" city. If you want history and easy access to the north coast, book a place in Dinan. If you want a more rugged, end-of-the-world vibe, head west to Quimper or the Crozon Peninsula.
Check the tide tables before you go, especially for places like Saint-Malo or Mont Saint-Michel (which is right on the border). Getting trapped on a rock is only romantic in books; in real life, it involves a very expensive helicopter ride or a very cold swim.