Most people who travel to France visit Paris, which is in the northern central part, or Nice, located in the south – and why not? Both cities are charming, and let us not forget Paris playing a very special role in the Sex and The City saga. Ask those same people if they’ve ever been to Brittany (or Bretagne in French) and they’ll most like say no.
It’s not the Wild West, but the region of Finistère, in Brittany, is located in the northwestern region of France and the landscape is raw and wild. To describe this area as special is almost offensive because what you will find in Brittany is beyond that.
If you like the outdoors, you most certainly should visit the department of Finistère. There are extraordinary hiking paths all along the coast, which is never-ending. The coastline is raw, rugged, and romantic, with the Atlantic Ocean in front of your feet. Even if you’re not a swimmer, you can still enjoy the beaches of Finistère. The Atlantic Ocean is not only an ideal location for surfers, but it’s a great place to watch waves come in and crash in the most dramatic form. Take a book and sit on the sand and let your imagination take you away. But bring a heavy jacket and maybe even a blanket with you as even in the summertime, it doesn’t get exceptionally hot on that side of France.
It’s easy to believe that if the sea is close by, the seafood must be good. Well, it is delicious! If you’re a seafood lover like I am, you want to be in Bretagne. From king crab, to oysters, sardines, langoustine and coquille St. Jacques, Brittany is paradise for the seafood enthusiast. Still, if you’re not, don’t worry, they got you covered. If you’re a fan of pancakes (and who isn’t) you’ll enjoy the Bretagne crêpe. You can have this extremely thin pancake, served as a sweet or savory dish. Have your crêpe as a dessert or the main course for dinner. My go-to’s are the crêpe complete with ham, melted cheese, and the perfect egg, sunny-side up, on top. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a chocolate crêpe. That never disappoints.
So how do we get to the wild west of France? The truth is, it isn’t easy. You’ll have to take a plane and you’ll need a car. To get to Finistère, you have to first fly to Brittany, with the option of two small airports (Rennes or Nantes). There might not be a direct flight to either, depending on where you’re flying from so make sure you check before booking. Then to get around you will need a car. The roads are long and vary in width. It is a commitment to get to this softly charted territory, but if you do, what an adventure you will have.
As you and your beloved continue your search of destinations to explore, add Brittany France to your bucket list.
