Brittany by rail
For a France overview and useful information: France Travel Guide
Carnac & Vannes
Our day to the south-eatern coast of Brittany takes us to Carnac and Vannes. Carnac is one of the world's great prehistoric sights, with almost 3,000 menhirs (megalithic stones) in parallel rows north of the town and an exceptional Musee de Prehistoire. Its long, sandy beach also makes Carnac a popular seaside resort. Vannes was the capital of Brittany in the 16th centruy and is a busy commercial city today with a well-preserved medieval quarter. Highlights here include the 16th century Palaces des Lices, Cathedrale St-Pierre, dating from the 13th century and interesting archaeological musuem, housed in the 15th century Chateau Gaillard.
Pont Aven, Concarneau & Quimper
Today offers a wonderful selection of typical Breton sights. Pont Aven became a popular destination for artists such as Gauguin in the 19th century, which developed into the "Pont Aven" school and a style of painting known as Synthetism. The town remains devoted to art, with some 50 private galleries and a Municipal Museum. An important fishing port, Concarneau's principal attraction is its 14th century walled old town, built on an island in the harbour and surrounded by massive ramparts. Quimper has a quintessentially Breton character where you can find Breton language books, traditional music and costomes and excellent local cuisine. Sights here include the 13th century Cathedrale St-Corentin, Musee des Beaux-Arts and Bishops' Palace, now a local history museum. The town is also world-renowned for its faience pottery, collected throughout the world.
Locronan, Douarnenez & La Pointe de la Raz
During the 15th-17th centuries, Locronan grew wealthy from the manufacture of sail-cloth, an economic legacy that has yielded an elegant ensemble of Renaissance buildings that attracts a large number of visitors. Highlights include its central cobbled square with 15th century church dedicated Chapelle-Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle. Picturesque Douarnenez used to be France's leading sardine port and remains a thriving fishing village as well as a tourist destination. The delightful Port du Rosmeur is packed with cafes and restaurants, whilst the Port-Rhu has been converted into an interesting floatings museum, Le Port Musee. Lastly, we head to the dramatic Pointe de la Raz, an 80m high headland jutting into the Atlantic that offers stunning views of the jagged rocks and pounding seas off the westernmost point of France.
Hennebont, Josselin & Auray
Our final day offers more flavours of this unique region. Hennebont is an attractive medieval town visited on its lively market day for a taste of authentic French provincial life. Josselin is dominated by its impressive medieval chateau, owned by the de Rohan family since the 15th century. Outside it retains its majesty despite only four of its original towers remaining, whilst inside there is an attractive 19th century interior and doll museum. Once one of the busiest ports in Birttany, the inland town of Auray's best feature is the charming old town of St Goustan, full of 15th and 16th century houses, leading down to the river Auray.