Here are the most beautiful villages in Brittany to visit under the sun

THE Brittanythis rocky region is the ideal place to escape spring. We discover it even better through its numerous fishing villages, literary villages, painters’ villages and film sets. From the turquoise beaches of the village of Hoëdic Island, reminiscent of the Caribbean, to the woods of Locronan, where an ancient Celtic temple still stands, they have inspired many artists and directors. Here is our selection of five sublime villages in Brittany, coast and countryside, absolutely worth seeing.

Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, the artistic (Ille-et-Vilaine)

Saint-Briac-sur-Mer embodies the sweet mix between an ancient fishing village and a seaside resort. Located on the Emerald Coast, Saint-Briac is on the border with the Côtes d’Armor. Its elegant granite houses, its 16th century bell tower and its quiet, narrow streets give the landscape its character. His decorations have inspired several painters, including Auguste Renoir, with his paintings Garden scene in Brittanypainted in 1886. Saint-Briac offers every year a Contemporary drawing and artist publishing fair (from 8 to 11 May 2024). Surrounded by nine fine sandy beaches, the village coastal path offers seaside hiking trails with magnificent views. Port Hue beach is perfect for walking accompanied by the city’s emblematic dessert: a meringue with whipped cream from the La Briacine pastry shop and tea room.

Do not lose. The hotel Nessay, a former 19th century castle. The sublime building now houses a hotel and a guest house from 2021. You can also come and simply enjoy the bar and restaurant, on the terrace overlooking the Grande Salinette beach.

How to get there? Allow 2h30 by train from Paris to Saint-Malo, then 15 minutes by car to Saint-Briac or by bus on line 16 Breezh Go.

Locronan, the cinephile (Finistère)

Locronan, billed as “The most beautiful village in France”, takes its name from Saint-Ronan, the Irish hermit who is said to have founded the town. The village preserves in its surroundings, in the heart of the Névet woods, a nemeton (Celtic temple). In the past Locronan developed thanks to the sailcloth industry and was home to numerous weavers. Its granite houses from the 17th and 18th centuries and the ancient stones of its streets still evoke this era. Among its other treasures we find the Grand’Place with its adjacent streets, its church and its two chapels. These landscapes transport us to the past, with the traditional signs on the shop windows. In 2019, the British newspaper The Guardian even mentioned it in its ranking of the “20 most beautiful villages in France”. The ancient atmosphere of Locronan, without red lights or electric cables, also makes it a small Hollywood of Finistère. The village regularly hosts film and series filming. More than thirty films have been shot in the city since 1920, inclusive A long engagement Sunday by Jean-Pierre Jeunet e Chouan by Philippe de Broca.

Do not lose : the Museum of Art and History, where 18th-century weaving looms, regional costumes and a collection of around fifty paintings by Breton painters of the early 20th century are on display.

How to get there? With train, Callow 4 hours from Paris to Quimper, then 20 minutes by car taking the D39 towards Plogonnec. Accessible parking for visitors outside the village.

The megalithic island city of Hoëdic (Morbihan)

Hoëdic Island is the smallest island south of the bay of Quiberón. It is part of the Natura 2000 network, which brings together European natural sites to be preserved. With fewer than 150 inhabitants and a dozen fishing boats, the town of Hoëdic can be explored on foot. The village is set on a 209 hectare granite strip, offering lovely walks around the creeks and Argol Harbour. In summer we admire the flowering of its numerous hollyhocks (rustic marine plant), which stand out on the walls of the town’s stone houses. We also enjoy beautiful views from the rocky points of the Vieux Château and Beg er Faut. Ideal for exploring with the family, the island offers peaceful coastal hiking trails leading to villages, including Paluden in the south or towards the old lighthouse in the north-east. To discover the fauna and flora of the island, its Vauban-style fort, dating back to 1853, organizes activities for adults and children every summer, from July to August.

Do not lose : its megalithic jewels. Around the city there are several alignments of menhirs, such as Douet and Paluden, as well as imposing dolmens. The most impressive remains the Menhir of the Virgin, 200 meters east of the city, located on the Champ-du-Menhir moor. At four meters high it is the tallest monument on the island. It dates back to the Neolithic period, from the mid-5th millennium BC and is classified as a historical monument.

How to get there? Allow 4 hours by train from Paris to Quiberon, then to boat time (one way price adult/child €14/7) from Port-Maria, embarkation port for Hoëdic.

Bécherel, the literary (Ille-et-Vilaine)

Bécherel has no connection with Louis-Nicolas Bescherelle, who influenced the name of French grammar. Yet they share the same passion: words. The town of less than 700 inhabitants is dedicated completely and entirely… to books. Since 1989, Bécherel has defined himself as “ Book Village » (France has only seven). Only half an hour from Rennes, Bécherel brings together around fifteen bookshops and art workshops, with almost 400,000 works. They are installed in the ancient weavers’ houses, near the town church, to satisfy all literary curiosities: from comics to ancient books, through used books and calligraphy and bookbinding workshops. The book market takes place every first Sunday of the month, managed by the region’s used book sellers, a true paradise for reading lovers. At the beginning of August, the city even organizes “La Nuit du livre”, an annual evening soirée, with concerts, book hunts and literary events (Saturday 3 August 2024 until midnight). A unique atmosphere to discover in an environment taken from a novel, which describes the life of a Breton village located on a hill, with its ramparts, its medieval fortress and its Lavoir de Couaille, dating back to the 19th century.

Do not lose : La Maison du livre, a space of cultural discovery dedicated to books and writing in all its forms.

How to get there? By train, it takes 1h30 from Paris to Rennesthen 30 minutes by car taking the D137 towards Tinténiac, then the D20.

Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, the sailor (Côtes d’Armor)

Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer is an old fishing village, whose maritime soul also resonates in its architecture. Its stone houses are built lengthwise, to protect themselves from the wind. Formerly an island that lived from fishing for rays and mackerel, the 11th peninsula beaches Today the air is heavenly. From the imposing Ebihens archipelago with their sometimes tropical colors to the port of Houle Causseul, the disconnection is total. Fishing is still an important activity: mussels, scampi, oysters and periwinkles. Keep in mind that razor clams and scallops are also caught at low tide during high tide.

Its Breton identity is reflected in the ruins of Guildo Castle, facing the sea, as well as in its Benedictine abbey. Founded by Saint-Jacut in the 5th century, the monastery was a political and spiritual center of Brittany for centuries. Located in the heart of a vast bucolic garden, the abbey is now used as a large guesthouse. Saint-Jacut-de-la-mer is also the perfect place for kitesurfing enthusiasts. Rougeret Beach is ideal for beginners, with its width and shallow depth along the first 100 metres. It is the only one where there is always water, even at low tide. And walking enthusiasts will be able to benefit from the GR34 which allows you to go around the peninsula.