It is an intriguing mixture of dazzling coastline, antiquated towns, enchanted islands, and heartland woods. The coastline is composed of pink granite. Brittany is a huge peninsula spreading between the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. It is famous for megalithic monuments and calvaries, which are richly, carved sculptures portraying the crucifixion.

 

 

History

When the Roman Empire fell many Bretons immigrated to this area, though Celtic tribes had lived there for thousands of years before they came. Brittany was a Celtic duchy for over one thousand years; in 1532 it was annexed to France. When the French Revolution ended, Brittany lost its administrative autonomy. During the middle of the twentieth century it regained its administrative powers, but Brittany was reduced in physical area becoming the Region of Brittany.

 

Arts & Museums

Some of the museums in Brittany: Musee de Prehistoire, Port Musee, which is a floating museum of 250 boats, Musse de Pont-Aven (where Paul Gauguin lived), and Musee des Beaux Arts. The Interceltic Festive in Lorient, Brittany is the second largest Celtic music festival in the world. The Festival de Cornouaille held in Quimper celebrates the modern and traditional music, art, and dance.

 

Nightlife

The Bar de l¢ Univers is located in St. Malo and it is like a pirate’s den. There are casinos in Dinard and La Baule. The bars in Morbihan feature draught beer and wines. Some serve seafood, creperie, or traditional food. Some allow pets. Traditional music, jazz, and rock are played in various locations. The cinema is big with twenty to fifty something in these cities: Cote d’Armor, Finistere, Ille et Vilaine, and Morbihan.

 

How to get there

Many ferries are available from the United Kingdom and Normandy. From Paris toll free motorways take three hours to drive to Brittany. TGV Atlantique speeds to Rennes from Paris in two hours, Brest or Quimper in four hours. The TGV Train Corail goes to the majority of towns. Flights can be booked to the major airport in Rennes and to other airports in Nantes, Dinard, Quimper, Saint-Malo, Saint-Brieuc, Brest,
Morlaix.