Brittany: what to do, what to see...

• The Mont Saint Michel Originally, in 709, this spectacular site was a rock occupied by a simple little church, at the request of Archangel Michael. Over the centuries, an abbey, convent buildings, walls, a village were erected to make Mont St Michel a spiritual and intellectual home, in addition to a place of pilgrimage. We must see it emerge from the bay, between sea and sky, to be seized by its majestic beauty.

• Carnac alignments Imagine 3000 standing stones standing in the Breton moor, lined up for one kilometer. The largest menhir is 6 meters high. Erected between 5000 and 3000 years before J-C, they ask question: how and why are they there? They are often given an astronomical function. It's up to you to unlock their mystery!

• The bay of Morlaix Between Leon and Trégor, it is a large bay enameled with islets. Île Verte, Ile aux Dames, Ile Callot, Louët Island and its lighthouse, the fortified island of Taureau Castle ... you discover them by boat or some on foot, at low tide. On the coast, the villages of Carantec, Plougasnou and Locquirec have become family resorts.

• Pont-Aven, the "city of painters"__ From the end of the 19th century, Gauguin set his sights on this small town in the green estuary of the Aven, in the light so moving. Many painters followed the school of Pont-Aven, as Emile Bernard, Paul Sérusier, Maxime Maufra, ... To find their places of inspiration, go stroll on the side of the mills, laundries, bridges of stone, wood of 'Love. With your brushes!

• The Cathedral of Saint-Corentin in Quimper At the heart of the old Quimper, Saint-Corentin Cathedral will make you raise your head, with its 76 meters high arrows launched towards the sky! Gothic in style, its construction spread over 300 years, from the 13th century. A great success.

• The historic center of Rennes It is good to walk through the old town of Rennes, over time, to discover the Gothic chapel Saint-Yves, the colorful half-timbered houses of the 15th century, the Mordelaise gates and their castle with two towers, the Palace of the 17th century Parliament. Not to mention the terraces on rue St Sauveur, the Chapter, or the Place du Champ-Jacquet.

• Belle-Ile-en-Mer Facing the tip of Quiberon, it is the largest island of Brittany, which is aptly named. It can be wild and tumultuous on the Atlantic, towards the needles of Port Coton, the tip of the Colts, the cave of the Apothicairerie. And if sheltered on the side of the continent, on the beach of the big sands. It goes on foot and bike on marked trails, or by car on small roads, between moors and valleys.

• The bay of Saint-Brieuc and Paimpol The bay of Saint-Brieuc is the 5th in the world by the amplitude of its tides, you are warned. To admire it from above, head for the Pointe du Roselier, Pordic or Les Guettes. Walkers will take the path of customs, an iodized balcony on the sea unless you opt for kitesurfing, kayaking or catamaran. And push up to Paimpol, to survey the lively docks and taste the famous Paimpol oysters.

• The forest of Brocéliande Between ponds and moors, this forest with a hundred loops of hiking, evokes the legend of the brave King Arthur and Merlin the Enchanter. Let your imagination run wild: the century-old oaks are populated by elves, the castle of Comper is inhabited by the fairy Viviane and the fountain of Barenton releases magic bubbles ...

• The island of Ouessant Last stop before America ... it is one of the 7 islands of the archipelago of Molène, 20 kms west of Finistère. In the shape of crab claw, wrapped in spray and shaken by the winds, Ouessant resource. A real sentinel on the ocean, it is planted with lighthouses to help sailors and fishermen: Stiff, erected by Vauban, Kéréon, Créac'h, the Mare.

• Stay in an eco-friendly cottage Brittany is a region rich in eco-friendly accommodation. Sleeping in an ecological wooden cabin, in a cottage with an orchard and vegetable garden, in an organic farm, or in a farmhouse is so simple.

• Take a culture bath at the Inter-Celtic Festival in Lorient Every year for ten days in August, place to the Celts! The interceltic festival attracts 750,000 spectators in Lorient. From Scotland to Galicia, via Australia, Canada and Ireland, there are more than 200 shows and events, and 4500 artists, celebrating cosmopolitan culture in all its forms.

• Walk around the sea towards the Pink Granite Coast North of Lannion, in the Côtes d'Armor, the granite rocks are tinged with pink and ignite even more at sunset. A dream setting to sail off Perros-Guirec, in the 7 islands national reserve, populated by seabirds and seals.

• Treat yourself to a thalassotherapy break in the main centers The principle of thalassotherapy was born in Brittany, a dynamizing land bathed by several seas, the Channel, the Iroise, the Atlantic. No wonder there are a good fifteen centers to take care of you: in Quiberon, La Baule, Pornic, St Malo, Belle Ile, Dinard, ... The treatments combine thalasso, sport, massages , dietetics, something to relax and rejuvenate.

• Surf the waves of La Torche in Ploërmel__ This is the reference spot in Brittany. Surf attitude is very Breton! Head to the tip of La Torche, high place of practice with its powerful waves, but also, depending on your level, the Loc'h beach in Guidel, Plouharnel on the Quiberon peninsula, the Baie des Trépassés between Pointe from the Raz and the Pointe du Van, the beach of Trestraou to Perros-Guirec, the beach of Rochebonne to St Malo.

• Cross a seal at Océanopolis in Brest Discover the many aquatic species that inhabit the oceans! At Océanopolis, you will see sharks and reef fish in the tropical aquarium, penguins and seals in the polar basin, plankton and crustaceans in Brittany, and Alaskan otters on the trail. otters. An instructive dive into the marine eco-system.

• Engage with the high tides of Saint-Malo Several times a year, including in September each year, the sea forms what is called a large tide. It is in St Malo that its amplitude is the most important, amplified by the winds. To enjoy the show, safely, go on the ramparts in front of the National Fort, at the time of the open sea, when the waves explode against the dyke.

• Treat yourself to a bike ride along the canal from Nantes to Brest A beautiful journey to make in this inland and green Brittany, to the ocean, following the canal and the Blavet. The route between Lorient and Redon is dotted with castles, abbeys, valleys, small river ports.

• Take a sailboat trip in the Gulf of Morbihan This small inland sea, which extends between Vannes and Auray, is labeled regional natural park. Dotted with about forty islets, the gulf is discovered in all its variety in modern sailboat, or in old rig with ocher sails. Let your adventurous side speak and board one of these traditional boats, tuna or lobster, fashioned with passion by the old sea lions.

• Work your swing at Golf des Abers It is the most western of the French golf courses. In full Breton moor, at the top of a rocky dome, this 18-hole golf course offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the islands of Ouessant and Molène. According to the specialists, it reminds the links of Ireland, and the wind often invites itself on the course ....