I have been in France for almost two weeks now, driving and cycling around Normandy, Brittany, and Pays de la Loire. Due to the weather, I have been zig-zagging my way through the regions, following the sun. I decided to wait until I had finished exploring at least one region before writing a new blog. So here it is. And what better way to start than with discovering the pretty towns of Brittany?
Not to mention walking along the pink cliffs of the Côte de Granit Rose. What an amazing trip it has been so far!
Brittany of France
To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the region’s stunning landscapes and dramatic coastline. I absolutely loved it. The blue skies made the contrast with the turquoise ocean even more spectacular. It was picture-perfect. That said, I probably wouldn’t want to be here on a cold and rainy day… which, from what I’ve read, is quite common!
Brittany is an incredibly diverse region. With its exposure to the North Atlantic, much of the coastline is rugged and rocky. Thankfully, the beautiful sandy coves and white-sand beaches tucked between the cliffs more than make up for its wild character.
For me, it was the first time in Europe that I had seen beaches as beautiful as those in Australia. Deep blue water, white sand, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Simply stunning. It was just a shame it was too cold for a swim!
THE PRETTY TOWNS OF BRITTANY
Saint Malo
Saint-Malo is often called the Dubrovnik of France, and I discovered it almost by coincidence. This beautiful port city is surrounded by impressive fortified walls that once protected pirates, privateers, and the town’s wealthy merchants.
As a fan of historic forts and castles, I loved exploring Saint-Malo. Whether I was walking along the city walls, wandering through the charming old town, or visiting the cathedral, there was always something to admire. The atmosphere was fantastic, with plenty of inviting cafés, restaurants, and little boutiques to explore.
Read my posts about Dubrovnik here – Finally made it to the City of Dubrovnik
Saint Lunaire
Saint-Lunaire was recommended to me by a friend, and although it is a cute little coastal town with pretty houses, that was more or less all there was to it. Since I had already done plenty of walking in Saint-Malo, I mostly drove through Saint-Lunaire, adding only a quick climb up to the cliffs for a beautiful view over the blue Atlantic Ocean. Then it was time to look for my next destination.
Nevertheless, Saint-Lunaire still deserves a spot among the pretty towns of Brittany.
Rennes
Rennes, the capital of Brittany, certainly deserves a place among the pretty towns of Brittany. That said, compared to some of the region’s other gems, I found it a little less memorable.
I only made a quick stop while the city was still waking up. Don’t get me wrong, I will never tire of wandering along old cobbled streets lined with charming half-timbered medieval houses. But after visiting so many beautiful historic towns lately, I found myself wondering: when do they all start to blend together?
One thing I couldn’t stop thinking about was what those crooked old houses must look like on the inside. They certainly have plenty of character, although from the outside they don’t exactly look straight… or particularly practical!
The pretty list of Brittany of France continues…
Dinan
I stumbled upon Dinan on my way to the coast, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. This unexpectedly beautiful town is definitely worth a visit. With its impressive 14th-century castle and charming medieval old town, Dinan has a truly special atmosphere.
It is clearly no hidden gem, though. The streets were packed with both tourists and locals, all making the most of a beautiful sunny day.
It was almost impossible to take photos of the old town without crowds, so most of my pictures ended up being of the castle instead. If you’re planning a trip to Brittany, make sure to put Dinan on your itinerary. It easily ranks among the prettiest towns of Brittany.
The Pink Cliffs – Côte de Granit Rose
After dropping off my bike for an overnight service, I made my way to Perros-Guirec, following a recommendation from my hotel.
Perros-Guirec is best known as the gateway to the famous Pink Granite Coast (Côte de Granit Rose). To be honest, though, I was expecting more dramatic pink cliffs. Once I arrived, I didn’t see as many as I had imagined. That said, Perros-Guirec more than made up for it with its stunning beach and beautiful beachfront houses. It was the perfect place to relax before setting off to explore more of the Pink Granite Coast.
Well…
…of course, I had to see the Pink Cliffs for myself. Just next door to Perros-Guirec lies the small village of Ploumanac’h, one of the best places to experience the famous Côte de Granit Rose.
Although the Pink Granite Coast stretches for more than 30 kilometres, Ploumanac’h is the perfect place to explore it. Park your car in the village and follow the coastal walking trail through the park and past the remarkable pink granite rock formations. Every turn opens up spectacular views of the coastline.
For me, the Pink Cliffs made the perfect setting for a morning walk. I was so glad I discovered the beautiful Côte de Granit Rose.
And so…
There is still so much more to discover among the pretty towns of Brittany, and I know I’ll be back to explore more of this beautiful region. Next time, I’ll just have to time my visit with the weather. And maybe even take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean!
For now, it was time to head back to Normandy to enjoy my final few days of cycling in France before crossing over to England.
That wraps up my journey through the pretty towns of Brittany. I loved every stop along the way, although the coastal towns were the clear highlight for me. If you’re planning a trip to Brittany, take your time exploring them. You won’t regret it.
One last note: Many locals told me how lucky I was to experience Brittany in warm, sunny weather. Apparently, those conditions are quite rare. Maybe that’s why the region feels so beautiful, peaceful, and almost untouched.
Either way, Brittany quickly became one of my favourite parts of France, and I know I’ll be back. And last but not least, here are a few photos from the gardens and castle of Fougères. A gorgeous little town I discovered just before leaving Brittany. A perfect final stop to end my journey through the pretty towns of Brittany.
(post 99)
