Brittany and Normandy are probably the areas of France which most British people can relate with most easily. The link is there in even the name of Brittany; testament to the long Celtic association, especially with Cornwall and Wales. Normandy is a part of our history, all the way from the Norman Conquest to the D-Day landings. We even have a St Michael's Mount each.

Brittany is particularly liked for its coasts. There is much of it, as it spreads southwards from the Channel towards the Bay of Biscay. Brittany's departments are: Côtes-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Finistère and Morbihan.

Côtes-d'Armor in the north has lots of rugged coastline, with many cliffs making for many a pleasant walk. The Côte de Granit Rose (Pink Granite Coast) is a highlight: besides the obvious rocky areas, there are fine sandy beaches. This area is one of only three locations worldwide with such a pink granite exposed on the coastline (the others being in Corsica and China). Boat trips can be taken from Perros Guirec, to get to the Sept Iles archipelago, which has a sea-bird and seal sanctuary; you can even see such birds as puffins here at migration time. Two of the 33 official ‘Grand Sites of France' are in Côtes-d'Armor. These ‘grand sites' are places which are specially classified by the RSGF. Beauport Abbey is 13th century and a starting point for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. Cap d'Erquy is a wondrous, seemingly untouched ...............READ MORE ABOUT BRITTANY & NORMANDY