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In the footsteps of explorers and sailors in Brittany

water - part of brittany’s DNA

press packwww.brittanytourism.com

BRITTANY 2019

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Pink Granit coastploumanac’h

contents04 The Route du rhum05 events in brittany06 alone on an island07 island hopping in brittany08 6 breton seaside crafts09 maritime experiences10 breton chefs, modern-day adventurers12 enjoy life in the countryside14 the well-being and detox trend16 pedalling through the salt-spray18 brand new and by the sea20 brittany: here we are22 map of brittany

With its 2,730 kilometres of coastline, Brit-tany’s heart beats in time with the tides, which are among the highest in Europe. So, as you’d expect, water is a defining feature of Brittany: the sea, of course, which has inspired sailors and explorers for hundreds of years, but also the rivers and canals that criss-cross the Breton countryside.

A land of nature and wild scenery, where the air is filled with the scent of sea spray, fields and gar-den, Brittany is a haven for carefully-protected biodiversity. Brittany is celtic through and through, and is proud of its identity, drawing energy from a unique historic heritage. Constantly reinventing its traditions, Brittany has become France’s nu-mber one region for festivals, watersports and walking. Brittany is well-connected and harbours another great treasure : the people who live there. Historically, Brittany was the home port of many explorers and it’s still as outward-looking today. Bretons of every generation have a great sense of hospitality and love letting their hair down. You don’t have to be born here, you can become Bre-ton by sharing the passion.

editorialWater – part of Brittany’s DNA

4 The Route du Rhum transatlantic yacht race

la route du rhum

The event that get hearts racing! It’s nearly time for the 11th Route du Rhum, so the corsair city of Saint-Malo is getting ready to watch around 100 boats set sail for Guadeloupe: a hugely popular event that sets the city of Saint-Malo buzzing for a fortnight.

There’s just one line-up, one departure day and time – 4 November 2018 – when ocean racing fans will turn up to witness an exciting chapter in yacht racing histo-ry. Every four years, this iconic single-handed transatlantic race gets hearts poun-ding on land and at sea. With a line-up of 91 competitors, more than two million visitors and a stunning overall victory by Loïck Peyron, the 10th race in 2014 set the tone. The 2018 race will definitely stay faithful to tradition and keep the Route du Rhum legend alive.

On 24 October 2018 at 17:00, the Route du Rhum Village will open: a 1,200 sq.m. site with almost 300 exhibitors, at the foot of the ramparts of the corsair city. For 12 days before the start of the race visitors can get a closer look at the skippers and boats and see ‘behind the scenes’ of this legendary transatlantic race. On the programme are entertainments from visiting Caribbean groups, sea shanties and beginners’ watersports lessons for children and adults.

la route du rhumSkippers with unique track-recordsAround 100 skippers will start the race on 4 November. These modern-day explorers have their own personal stories and reasons for racing, but they’re all passionate about this unique race. Bob Escoffier, who has lived in Saint-Malo for 33 years, is the oldest skipper in the race. He’ll be starting for the fifth time. Morgane Ursault-Pou-pon, aged 32, was born in the year that her father, Philippe, won the Route du Rhum. After years spent cruising the oceans on the family yacht Fleur Australe, this will be Morgane’s first attempt at the Route du Rhum. After chalking-up about 15 years of experience on luxury yachts, traditional sailing boats and multihulls in the Caribbean, Gilles Lamiré first entered the world of offshore racing in 2006, in that year’s Route du Rhum. A massively enthusias-tic sailor, he finished third in the last race.

5Events in Brittany to go with the flow

Festival Chants de marins (Sea shanty festival) paimpol - 2 to 4 August 2019Every two years some 130,000 festival-goers transform the quays of Paimpol into a sea of happiness.

Every two years, throughout August, hundreds of traditional sailing ships call into Paimpol harbour, sea shanties sound out from the quays and international stars are also ready to climb aboard for this sea shanty festival. It’s amour at first sight in Côtes d’Armor, which rises to the occasion every time by raising anchor and setting a course for new horizons. From the Black Sea to the Baltic, the banks of the Nile to the Cape of Good Hope, this event has drawn in the crowds for the likes of Marianne Faithfull, Carlos Núñez, Touré Kunda and Goran Bregović. Sea shanties were originally sung by sailors to help them pace their work on board ship or wind down when they reached port. The shanties tell tales of travel, adventure and camaraderie, themes that now run rife throughout this festival in Paimpol.

Festival photo la Gacilly La Gacilly - June to September 2019Whether the shots are in black and white or in colour, green is always a major player at the Peuples & Nature Photo Festival in La Gacilly. Focusing specifically on the environment, this is an arts event that fully intends to become part of the landscape.

La Route du Rock saint-malo - August 2019Every August, pop is in the air around Saint-Malo. The Route du Rock is back, entirely dedicated to American and British rock bands and attracting around 15,000 festi-val-goers to the pirate city.

Every year since 1991, party pirates partaking in the Route du Rock festival have opened wide their treasure troves to reveal some of the real gemstones of British rock. Since 1993, and the concert by a group of illustrious unknowns from Oxford, AKA Radiohead, the Route du Rock has gone from strength to stren-gth and has become somewhat of a benchmark when it comes to British and American pop and rock. Nowadays, the recipe for success is as clear as the lines on a sheet of music paper: musi-cal interlude on the beach below the ramparts in the afternoon, followed by a warm-up at the Palais du Grand Large, topped off with a musical climax in the fortress built by Vauban in Saint-Père-Marc-en-Poulet.

This exhibition counts several hundred large format photos, taken by well-known artists and amateur photographers alike. Installed in the open air throughout the quaint cobbled streets of the charming village of La Gacilly, this exhibition needs no special effects. Created in 2004 by Jacques Rocher, now pre-sident of the Yves Rocher Foundation, the aim of the festival is to make the public think about the future of the planet. Whether the focus is thousand-year-old forests, oceans or civilisations, there will always be a photographer on hand to expose the dangers they face. Ethereal but thought provoking, each year the festival puts the spotlight on Mother Nature herself, so di-gnified, photogenic and proud, inviting us to reflect on the fra-gility of the world in which we live.

FIND OUT MOREwww.paimpol-festival.bzh/fr

FIND OUT MOREwww.laroutedurock.com

FIND OUT MOREwww.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com

6 A Robinson Crusoe experience in Brittanyalone on an island

The Petit Bé Fort in Saint-Malo

The Petit Bé Fort and its neighbour, the Fort National, are on the Emerald

Coast between Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel.

Built by Vauban in the 17th century, these fortresses are separated from the

mainland at high tide and have been carefully and lovingly restored. Etienne

Marcel, a native of Dinard and a Vauban enthusiast, sees himself as the ‘servant

of the fort’: he spent 33 years working on the Fort National, then in 1991 he kicked off the renovation of Petit Bé, which had

been left abandoned for 150 years. The building is available to individuals and

companies for special events. FIND OUT MOREwww.petit-be.com/

The Île Louet lighthouse cottageThe Île Louet lighthouse stands on a rocky islet, 350m off the Carantec coast in the Bay of Morlaix, in northern Brittany.

The former lighthouse-keeper’s cottage has been renovated to sleep up to 10 people. From the terrace, with its sunken barbecue, the panoramic view of the Breton coastline is a real treat for any would-be Robinson Crusoes. The accommodation is simple, but it’s a unique experience and a chance to really get away from it all!

On the isle of Callot : away from it all… There’s no better way to recharge your batteries than to cut yourself off from the outside world.

On the Isle of Callot, facing Carantec (Finistère), this former school-house reopened in the summer of 2018 as a charming holiday home. The white colours and pale wood of the furniture, which remind you of its former purpose, add to the serene atmosphere of the place. At high tide, when all the visitors have gone, the is-land offers a peaceful setting, with rushes, heather and fine sandy beaches. Try a spot of fishing on the River Brivet and in the Brière Marshes for guaranteed peace and quiet in a natural setting. There are small and cosy fishing huts available, with nets so that you can try to catch pike, eels or carp. Listen to the silence!

FIND OUT MORECallot School Gîte: www.baiedemorlaix.bz - Pêcheries en Brière : www.insolite.voyage.fr

FIND OUT MOREwww.morlaix bay.bzh/fr/inspire/ile-louet-live-on-a- island-like-robinsoncrusoe/

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Brittany’s islands are all different. They offer breathtaking scenery, charming little ports and miles of footpaths to explore. Just follow the guide from one island to the next along the Brittany coastline… a real change of scene!

Island hopping in Brittany

The Gulf of Morbihan by catamaranStep aboard the Iroise Catamaran for a five-day, four-night cruise. A qualified skipper and a guide will be with you throughout the holiday. The boat has four double cabins and a comfortable saloon/dining-area.

You’ll explore the islands in the Gulf of Morbihan: the aptly-name Belle-île – which means ‘beautiful island’ – with its peaceful beaches and spectacular cliffs, colourful harbours and green landscapes. Then there’s the Île aux

Moines (monks’ island), with its old village of little streets bright with camellias and mimosas, and picturesque fishermen’s cottages. And finally there’s the isle of Houat, a natural paradise with its leafy trails, beaches and crystal clear waters. With its microclimate and relaxed pace of life, the Gulf of Morbihan is the perfect place to recharge your batteries.

From €930

Southern Brittany on a yachtBretagne Croisières offers three-day sailing trips to explore three islands or six-day packages to explore five islands.

You’ll step aboard a 15-metre yacht for an all-inclusive cruise, with private cabin and bathroom. This is a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful islands of southern Brittany: the pretty harbours, beaches and coves on the isle of Groix, the clear wa-ters of Glénan and Belle-Ile-en-mer, or the isles of Houat and Hoedic, two ‘sister islands’ that were once linked. Today, each one has its own special charm. A partir de 392€

Northern Brittany by kayak Camino Kayak offers guided kayak trips over several days to explore Brittany’s islands.

For six days you can be completely independent and explore the Pink Granite Coast and the Sept-îles Nature Reserve, the Sillon de Talbert (a sandy pebble bar) or Bréhat, the island of flowers. As you paddle round a headland you could easily come across seals, puffins or gannets. A really special break in the heart of Brittany’s natural environment. From €590

FIND OUT MOREwww.caminokayak.com/

FIND OUT MOREwww.voileetrandonnee.com/

FIND OUT MOREwww.bretagne-croisieres.fr

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Accessories from boat sailsIn Brittany, boat sails are getting a new lease of life thanks to some creative brands. Sails are transformed into bags, curtains, sofas, clothing… all hand-sewn in craft workshops. Each one is unique and has been on a voyage from sail to style!

www.ventdevoyage.com/ www.bocarre.fr/ www.727sailbags.com/fr/

Sailor sweaters and tops

Traditional striped sailor sweaters and tops are a ‘must’ in every Breton wardrobe. They’ve been reinvented as a new fashion accessory by several young Breton designers. The indis-pensable Armor Lux, who’s always on trend, has been joined by some new kids on the block who care about those important little details.

www.armorlux.com/fr/ www.owenpoho.com www.maisonbalancines.com

Tour a salt marsh in GuérandeGuérande is all about salt. This flagship product of French gastro-nomy owes its fame to the skills of the salt workers. These skilled craftsmen follow a 1000-year-old tradition in gathering, selecting and hand-sif-ting this precious mineral resource, produced by the ocean and the wind, on 2,000 hectares of marshland. Head to Terre de Sel, a subsidiary of the cooperative, ‘Les Salines de Guérande, for a guided tour through the heart of the salt marshes.

www.terredesel.com

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La Belle Iloise It’s in the can!La Belle Iloise cannery opened in 1932 in Quiberon to process freshly landed fish from the nearby port. Today, depen-ding on the fishing season, sardines, tuna and mackerel are still hand-pro-cessed using traditional skills. You can watch the ‘sardinières’ at work on a guided tour of the workshops in the present-day factory.

www.labelleiloise.fr

The power of seaweed in Roscoff Europe’s largest concentration of seaweed is found around Roscoff, with more than 800 different species, inclu-ding 12 that are regarded as edible. This has been a goldmine for the Algoplus company, founded in 1993 by Monique Poulet and Michel Perzinsky, two people with a passion for the sea and a belief in the food value of seaweed. Today, seaweed is added to recipes for rillettes, soups and even mustard. You can take a guided tour of this factory, which craft-produces marine food items, and learn about seaweed gathering and processing. Obviously, a tasting is also on the menu.

www.algoplus-roscoff.fr

Giants of the seas in Saint-NazaireThe legendary Normandie and France, the gigantic Queen Mary 2 and Harmo-ny of the Seas… All these liners were ‘Made in Saint-Nazaire’. On a tour of the shipyards, you can see the gigantic gantry crane in action lifting ship sec-tions as big as apartment buildings. It’s an impressive sight!

www.leportdetouslesvoyages.com

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6 Breton seaside crafts

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Come and meet the Bretons and learn about their passion for the sea!

brittany experiencesMaritime experiences

In the wake of the first sailors aboard La Recouvrance Yann Fournier and his crew will meet you at the Château de Brest Marina for a trip back in time, in the very heart of one of the widest bays in the world.

Get ready to hoist the mainsail, swing the halyard and haul in the sheets! From April to November, this famous schooner takes up to 25 apprentice sailors for a half-day, full day or a sunset cruise. The boat can also accommodate 12 passengers for cruises of two to five days to the British coast or the coast around Saint-Malo.

Are you ready for an unforgettable trip to discover the Molène archipela-go and the Iroise marine park?

Here nature remains untamed, battered by heavy swells and strong tidal cur-rents, with a landscape shaped by the wind. During an extraordinary journey with Christel and Lucky, both nature and sea lovers, discover the wild beauty of the island of Molène and the many treasures that surround it. On board their motorboat you’ll leave Le Conquet for a day of unforgettable encounters with bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.

Breathtaking panoramas framed with impressive offshore lighthouses contrast with colourful flowered houses and the authentic streets of Molène’s village.

A spicy corsair trip in Cancale BayOne is an epicurean sailor, the other is a director of the School of Corsair Cookery (‘école Cuisine Corsaire‘), who trained at the Roellinger school. Jerome and Emmanuel pool their knowledge to create a Corsair sailing trip that combines the pleasures of sailing with fine food.

Guests board the Ausquemé, a Breton heritage sailing ship, and enjoy a four-hour trip in Cancale Bay. While Jerome teaches a few traditional sailing and fishing techniques, Emmanuel takes you on a culinary discovery voyage, with a menu of 12 dishes, all of them featuring Roellinger spices and seafood. An unforgettable experience.

6 Breton seaside crafts

Go wild – explore the beauties of Molène archipelago

Find out more aboutbrittany experienceswww.tourismebretagne.com, chapter Brittany Experiences

10 A passion for spices Breton chefs, modern-day adventurers

A passion for spices

the “Kari gosse”, a curry that is pure BretonIts recipe has been a closely-guarded secret since the 19th century. It

was passed by a shipwrecked Indian sailor to Mr Gosse, an apothecary with a store in Auray in Morbihan who welcomed the Indian to his home.

Xavier Pézat, his descendant, continues to make it, in some secrecy. The ‘Kari Gosse’ is a pure Breton curry powder characterised by its distinctive fragrance

with notes of clove, and its beautiful ochre colour. The blend also includes ginger, turmeric, chilli, cinnamon and pepper and is a perfect accompaniment

to any shellfish dish, especially lobster.

On sale at some pharmacies in Auray and Lorient

FIND OUT MOREwww.musee.lorient.bzh

The view across to the Isle of Groix from the walls of the citadel of Port-Louis is crystal-clear. The history of this peaceful little spa resort in southern Brittany is closely lin-ked with that of the spice trade.

In 1664, Colbert chose this site, on the Blavet estuary, to set up the French East India Company that he had just founded to develop trade with Asia. On the other side of the harbour, naval shipyards were built, around which the town of Lorient grew up. For the next 40 years, Port-Louis and Lorient acted as transit points not just for spices but also for the tea, fabrics, silk and porcelain that made the fortune of the East India Com-pany. Wars with Holland, Spain and England destabilised the maritime trade. Eventually, in the early 1700s, the Company veered towards bankruptcy, ending up in the hands of the so-called ‘Messieurs de Saint-Malo’, the nickname given to St-Ma-

lo ship-owners and corsairs. Those same ‘spice-hunters’ were responsible for building the ‘Malouinières’: sprawling country houses brimming with history, some of which are now open to visitors.

The citadel of Port-Louis is now the home of the Museum of the French East India Company, which traces the adventures of these splendid ships. Criss-crossing the seven seas during the 17th and 18th centuries, they sought out the treasures of Asia. Among the museum’s collections are models of the vessels, prints, old maps, Indo-European furniture, Chinese porcelain and Indian cotton. It’s a fascinating voyage that takes you from Lorient to Pondichery and then to Canton, Africa and the Mas-carenes. You can explore the museum on your own or with a lecturer-guide on a commentated tour.

Brittany, on the spice route

11A passion for spices Breton chefs, modern-day adventurers

FIND OUT MOREwww.st-placide.com/

Luc Mobihan, an inspired Saint-Malo chef Luc Mobihan takes his inspiration from islands all over the world, from Bréhat to Corsica or the Seychelles, following his own preferences and favourites.

He loves to travel to these places, recharge his batteries, immerse himself in their traditions and bring them to life in the Saint-Malo menus he offers, with clever touches of citrus fruit and lemongrass. In his restaurant, Le Saint Placide, he creates a refined cuisine, which he describes as ‘personal’. The restaurant is a real gourmet’s ‘cabinet of curiosities’, a result of all the journeys, experiences and skills of Luc and Isabelle Mobihan.

Olivier Roellinger spices, the gold standardTwo of the most recent creations from Olivier Roellinger, unrivalled master of the art of spices, are a ‘Cajun powder’ – a tribute to the Acadians who reinvented the cuisine of Louisiana – and a ‘Breton gomasio’, a blend of Breton buckwheat, Egyptian sesame, nigella, Indian coriander etc. Roellinger’s inspiration is simply flawless.

The famous Breton chef grew up in Cancale Bay and set up his laboratory in his Saint-Malo homeland, where he works on his famous powders. Most of the raw spices, roasted and ground on-site, come from organic farming or fair trade. Olivier Roellinger chooses the spices himself in their country of production, carefully selecting the rare bulbs, leaves, flowers and barks that go into his blends. The range is impressive: the chef-explorer has more than 80 blends on his shelves in their instantly-recognisable red and blue jars. Olivier Roellinger ground spices are available at the Epices-Roellinger stores at Cancale, Saint-Malo, Paris and on the website.

FIND OUT MOREwww.epices-corlou.com

Didier Corlou, a nose for spices He is said to have a ‘nose for spices’, and Morbihan chef, Didier Corlou, cer-tainly uses his sense of smell as well as every other sense to create his own blends.

Didier Corlou has been an expat in Vietnam for 25 years, where he runs five highly-acclaimed restaurants. In Vietnam he found the perfect environment to ex-press himself and create new flavours. A confirmed globetrotter, he never stops searching mountains and plateaux in Vietnam to hunt down the best producers of cassia cinnamon, star anise, black cardamom, turmeric, Vietnam pepper and talauma. The Breton chef has begun marketing his spices in France, a range that incudes Ha Long, Hanoi, Tangier, December and Siam Curry, to which “a dried green lemon leaf brings freshness and exoticism”.

FIND OUT MOREwww.epices-roellinger.com

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With its valleys and farmland, forests and marshes, canals and lovely rivers, the Breton countryside is truly stunning.

Enjoy life in the countryside on the canals, rivers and marshes

Bird-watching in the Brière marshes

White plumage, black wing-tips, red legs and beak… you can’t miss the

white stork in the Brière marshes, the second largest marshland in France

From the top of the pylons where it makes its nest, the stork has unrivalled views over the water meadows, its favourite

haunt. Bluethroat, black tern, Savi’s warbler and spoonbill are other typical

species that breed in this Regional Natural Park. There are eight signposted routes

that allow you to see them close up.

FIND OUT MOREwww.lamaisondeslamour.com

FIND OUT MOREwww.aventurefluviale.bzh

FIND OUT MOREwww.parc-naturel-briere.com/fr/tourisme/activites

Sail a traditional barge on the Canal du BlavetFor a really retro experience, sail the Canal du Blavet on a “cahotier”, a tradi-tional boat found on Brittany’s canals.

The boat is moored at the Boutique de l’Écluse, a restored lock-keeper’s cottage at Saint-Nicolas-des-eaux. Cast off for a peaceful cruise or stay at the quayside for a holiday with a difference. The Boutique de l’Écluse also rents out boats and electric bikes and has a charming grocer’s shop, where the counters are full of local produce, bread, sandwiches, etc.

Cahotier price: from €150 for a weekend (staying at the quayside) or €1,475 per week (cruising)

Take time out in the Lamour ValleyOverlooking the Leff valley at Piélo, 10 minutes from Saint-Brieuc, the Mai-son des Lamour makes you want to slow down.

These former farm buildings are surrounded by 30 hectares of garden, woods and river and offer five charming B&B rooms and three cottages, all designed as “guest rooms”. The overall style is vintage French, with lots of nice little details: bird-cages, zinc watering-cans, old family portraits, a chemist’s weighing-scales transformed into a bedside table, etc. The Maison des Lamour is a farmhouse inn with the “Char à Banc” label, where a traditional meat stew with cabbage is always simmering on the hob. It’s also a grocery and curiosity shop.

From €130 for 2 people (including breakfast).

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From dinan to Saint-Malo… the river Rance is the linkIn some places it’s a winding stream, in others it’s canalised, then later on it’s a great river flowing into the sea: the river Rance offers a wide range of landscapes for a really pastoral break.

Its source is to the south-west of Dinan, and it flows into the Channel between Dinard and Saint-Malo. Dinan, a medieval town, was originally a trading port linked with Saint-Malo. But from the 11th century the port began trading with northern Europe (England and Flanders), then with Spain and the Americas. The atmosphere is subdued in the early hours of the morning but much livelier on the café terraces during the day and in the evening. These days, the harbour is a great starting point for a walk to explore the centre of town, its little back streets, half-timbered houses, ramparts - and of course its castle.

FIND OUT MOREwww.hebergement-insolite-bretagne.fr

FIND OUT MOREPontivy Tourist Office / Art in the Chapels: www.artchapelles.com

FIND OUT MOREwww.dinan-capfrehel.com

From canals to chapels, in the Pontivy and Blavet areaRent an electric bike from Pontivy Tourist Office and cycle along the towpath of the Nantes-Brest Canal.

Going to Rohan, you’ll pass 54 locks. At the Etangs du Roz, one amazing work of engineering follows another: it’s quite spectacular. Dotted along the route you’ll see some remarkable trees (black walnuts, Turkey oaks, sycamore maples etc.), and the prettily-renovated lockkeepers’ cottages are good places to stop for a rest. From July to September, during the ‘Art in the Chapels’ festival, there are four trails to take you around 12 of the sacred buildings dotted along the Blavet Valley. Some of these are amazing, such as Saint-Gildas chapel, which seems to be wedged under an immense rock, in Bieuzy.

Scandi-chic at the Pertuis du Rofo At the Pertuis de Rofo, the Nordic Lodge offers both space and comfort.

This is not just a cabin, it’s a small house, with 37 square metres of floor space, perched eight metres high, overlooking the beautiful Vilaine Valley in southern Brittany. The cabin is reached via a 20m long wooden footbridge. The lounge area and two bedrooms are elegantly decorated with Scandinavian accents. As you enjoy the view from the 20 sq. m. terrace, nature really is at your fingertips!

From €195 for 3 people per night (including breakfast). February to September.

The well-being and detox trend

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Watch bottle-nosed dolphins in Cancale Bay A peaceful village, a little beach bathed in turquoise waters and, in the

distance, the unmistakable silhouette of Mont-Saint-Michel ...

It’s at Port-Mer, in these magical surroundings, that Gaël from the Al-lark Association will be waiting to take you on a sea trip to meet the bottlenose

dolphins. 300 bottlenose dolphins that pass through the bay. This is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. After a few hours sailing and a little patience, you’re treated to a show less than 10 metres from the boat. The cetaceans leap out of

the water, performing their loveliest moves. You’re suddenly swept away from the real world. But we’re not here to frighten them; the aim of the Al Lark Association,

which guides these excursions, is to study the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins. We’re a long way from any ‘sea world’ pools – and that’s what makes it so special!

€From 55FIND OUT MOREwww.tourismebretagne.com/s-inspirer/vivez-une-experience-bretonne/participez-a-l-observation-des-grands-dauphins

Experience Europe’s biggest tides High tide, low tide... Brittany’s tides are the most spectacular anywhere in France!

Take this opportunity to fill your lungs with fresh sea air. Families can have fun discovering the secrets left exposed by the outgoing tide. Couples will love going for walks through the stunning scenery and unwinding in the seawater spas. Saint-Malo is famous for having the highest tides in Europe. On the scale of tidal coefficients from 20 to 120, they regularly reach 110! When that happens, you can see the waves coming up higher and higher all along the ramparts! A unique experience!

FIND OUT MOREwww.billetweb.fr/yogabrunchbretagne

Yoga, vegetarian cuisine and a relaxing setting. “Yoga Brunch Bretagne” sessions began in 2017 in Saint-Malo and are rolling out to Rennes and La Trinité-sur-Mer from this autumn 2018.

Once a month, a yoga teacher and a well-being chef combine their talents to offer mornings of total relaxation. They start with a yoga session, followed by relaxation time. An organic vegetarian brunch is then served, with a new culinary experience on offer each time. A tasty and relaxing break.

FIND OUT MOREwww.franceisfun - www.relaxoceane.fr

The digital detox cureSay goodbye to wi-fi, mobiles, texting, e-mails, social networking, online chat…

It’s time to switch off and take a digital detox break, as offered by France is Fun, in Finistère. The programme includes yoga, Pilates, a detox cookery workshop, a nature walk and beginners’ stand-up paddle boarding (€760 for 5 days and 5 nights). In the Morbihan Department, Relaxocéane is launching “Island Immer-sion” days. The idea is to let yourself get cut off by the tide on the island of Berder, at Larmor-Baden, to reconnect with the real you (€60 for the day).

A relaxing gourmet break with Yoga Brunch Bretagne

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Forest immersion and the art of ‘hygge’Brittany’s landscapes are ideal places to practise the new trends in well-being.

Forest immersion is very popular in Japan and is said to recharge your batteries due to the energy flows that pass through the trees. You can try it yourself in the forests of Brocéliande, Huelgoat, Carnoët, Quénécan, Camors, Fougères and others. The Danish art of hygge is all about the well-being that come from the small pleasures of everyday life. Stroll on the beach, listen to the waves, breathe in the scent of maritime pines, eat a butter and sugar crêpe… Pure happiness!

FIND OUT MOREwww.tourismebretagne.com/s-inspirer/selon-mes-envies/les-plus-beaux-couchers-de-soleil-en-bretagne

Discover Brittany’s finest sunsetsWhen the sun’s going down, it lights up the landscape with such incredible shades that it’s impossible not to fall under Brittany’s spell.

Enjoy a unique sunset by taking a boat trip at cocktail time. From June to Sep-tember, you can view Saint-Malo from the sea while giving your taste buds a treat on the Breton sailing boat Le Renard. Seen from offshore at sunset, the Vauban forts of Grand Bé, Petit Bé and Fort National offer a constantly-changing spec-tacle. Or why not gain some height to admire the sun as it disappears over the horizon? After you’ve climbed the 290 steps of the Eckmühl Lighthouse, and liste-ned to stories about the workings of this guardian of the seas, you’ll be rewarded with a unique view over Audierne Bay. This is also the time when the lights of Cornouaille’s other lighthouses perform their brilliant ballet.

For athletic cyclists, the Tour de Manche is a must. This route runs along the north-eastern coast of Brittany, offering a variety of maritime and countryside

landscapes: Dinard, Cap Fréhel, Saint-Brieuc Bay, the Pink Granite Coast, Morlaix Bay etc. New discoveries come thick and fast. If you prefer a quiet

ride, or your family wants to pedal along safely and gently, head to the Green Ways (Voies Vertes), safe routes that are suitable for everyone. Pedal beside the Nantes-Brest Canal, a waterway that passes through contrasting natural

landscapes, from the gentle countryside around Nantes and the Redon Marshes to the Monts d’Arrée range, passing close to historic towns.

16 Cycling in Brittanypedalling through the salt-spray! Brittany is a magical place for organising cycle tours. There are iconic routes in every corner of the region, by the sea or along the canals.

FIND OUT MOREwww.tourdemanche.com

17Saint-Mathieu de Fine-Terre Abbey (VIe) & saint-mathieu lighthouse (XiXe)Plougonvelin

18 brand newand by the sea

Childhood dreams at the ‘Cabin at the end of the world’Relive your childhood in 3-star comfort.

At the ‘Cabane du bout du monde’ (‘Cabin at the end of the world’) in Lam-paul-Plouarzel (Finistère), having fun is a way of life. You reach the cabin via a walkway or a climbing wall – your choice – and once inside you’re surrounded by wood, including the furniture, the children’s toys and the stove. It’s all very warm and cosy. To get out, you simply take the wooden slide down to a delightful leafy garden!

From €300 per week and €160 for a weekend stay (excluding school holidays and the summer period)

The Pavillon de la Plage, facing the sea in TrébeurdenThe Pavillon de la Plage has a dream location on the Pink Granite Coast in Trébeurden.

This 20th-century building has been completely transformed into a delightful hotel. Each of its 20 rooms has a unique decor inspired by its view: the Castel Peninsula, the Isle of Milliau, the Pointe de Lan Kerellec, etc. Fine materials and delicate furnishings provide an atmosphere of elegance. There’s also a ‘back from the beach’ area where you can rinse yourself off after a swim in the sea.

From €90 per night

FIND OUT MOREwww.cabaneduboutdumonde.fr

FIND OUT MOREwww.hotel-trebeurden-plage.com

brand new and by the sea

A new life for the Château de Nessay at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer

The Château du Nessay, firmly anchored on its peninsula at Saint-

Briac-sur-mer, is opening a new chapter in its history.

This elegant 19th-century building, which was once a family home,

has been transformed into a hotel-restaurant with 17 bedrooms and

4-star facilities. Each room has its own special style, but they all have

sea views. There is also a restaurant offering family cooking, a bar and a well-being centre, all open to non-

residents. FIND OUT MOREwww.lenessay.com

19

brand new and by the sea

Le Grand Bé, a luxury hotel steeped in history at Saint-Malo Sheltering within the ramparts, this former taxation office has been transformed into a luxury 4-star hotel.

Le Grand Bé has 56 rooms, including eight suites with a terrace. There are delightful views over the rooftops of the inner town. The refined, designer decor is in harmony with the spirit of Saint-Malo and illustrated by contemporary artists. Hanging in the central atrium is a huge fish-trap, which lends the place a certain grandeur. Additional services include a well-being centre, a ‘bistronomic’ restaurant and a co-working room.

Prices: from €125 to €450.

view from the château de Nessaysaint-briac-sur-mer

FIND OUT MOREwww.legrandbe.com

2020 Brittany here we are

Roscoff

quimper

Lorient

Vannesredon

saint-malo

saint-brieuc

guingamp

dinard

Lannion

Morlaix

rennes

brest

2121

Located at the western tip of Europe and France, Brittany is easily accessible by car, by plane or train.

Since the opening of the TGV Atlantique high speed rail service in July 2017, it only takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Rennes, Brittany from Paris city centre by train !

A similar direct rail service exists from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (2h38min).

By plane, Brittany is served by five airports : Rennes, Brest, Dinard, Lorient and Nantes, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Canada.

getting to Brittany

rennesbrest

nantes

1h30

Paris1h50

1h05

1h10 0h55

heritage & leisuresmap of brittany

Avecle soutien de

brittany tourism1 rue Raoul Ponchon 35069 Rennes cedex, FranceTel. +33 (0)2 99 28 44 30press@tourismebretagne.com - www.brittanytourism.com

Document published by Brittany Tourism

2019

Front cover: Ronan GladuContents: Emmanuel Berthierp4: Xavier Bouquin (top left) ; Alexis Courcoux (top right & bottom)p5: Yannick Le Gal (top left) ; Jacqueline Piriou (top right) ; Emmanuel

Berthier (bottom)p6: OT Baie de Morlaix (top) ; Anne Darling (middle) ; Alexandre Lamou-

reux (bottom) p7: Emmanuel Berthier (top) ; Yannick Derennes (middle) ; Yannick Le

Gal (bottom)p8: LADT Locquard (left) ; Stéphanie Biju (middle) ; La Belle Iloise (right)p9: Simon Bourcier (top) ; Emmanuel Berthier (middle) ; Nicola sJob

(bottom)p10: Morbihan Tourisme - Y. Zedda (top) ; Maisons de Bricourt (bottom)p11: Simon Bourcier (top) ; Stéphanie Biju (middle top) ; Saint-Placide

(middle bottom) ; Maisons de Bricourt (bottom)p12: La Maison des Lamours (top) ; Aventure Fluviale (middle) ; Simon

Bourcier (bottom)p13: Nordic Lodge (top) ; France Vélo Tourisme (middle) ; Emmanuel

Berthier (bottom)p14: Yannick Le Gal (top) ; Yoga Brunch Bretagne (middle top) ; Emmanuel

Berthier (middle bottom) ; Yannick Derennes (bottom)p15: Emmanuel Berthier (top) ; Ronan Gladu (middle) ; Simon Bourcier

(bottom)p16: Alexandre Lamoureux (gauche, droite)p18: Cabane du bout du monde (top) ; Pavillon de la plage (middle) ;

Julien Pignol (bottom)p19: Adrian Kilchherr (top) ; Le Grand Be (bottom)Backcover: Emmanuel Berthier

Press contactFlorence Gaulupeau+ 33 (0) 2 99 28 44 41 f-gaulupeau@tourismeretagne.com