What are the best places to visit in Brittany

Asks ntsinonis

A.. Brittany is made up of four main areas: the Cetes d'Armor, Finistre, Ille-et-Villaine and Morbihan. Fishing has long been the most important industry and the rocky Atlantic coastline, high tides and strong, treacherous currents demand high standards of seamanship. Despite the rugged coastline, it is possible to enjoy a conventional beach holiday in Brittany -after the Cote d'Azur in the south, this is now the most popular summer resort in France. It has white sand beaches, towering cliffs, and lots of offshore islands. The Emerald Coast, a region of northern Brittany centred around Dinard, has many fine bathing beaches.

The beach resorts are often named after little-known saints: St Enogat, St Laumore, St Brill, St Jacut, St Cast, etc. Brittany's other main attractions are her wild beauty and the unique Breton culture.

The best places to visit in Brittany include the following towns:

St Malo: this is the most visited place in Brittany, but don't let that put you off. It has a ferry terminal with connections for the whole region, but the actual town is an old citadel (dating back to the 17th Century) that has been rebuilt stone by stone since it was destroyed near the end of WW2, in August 1944. In summer the crowds through the old streets can be overbearing, but if you do get the chance visit the Musee de la Ville in the castle it gives a great, if compact, history of the town. Also walk along the corniche to St Servan, which was the original settlement here in the 6th Century.

Dinard: only 20 minutes drive away from St Malo, is where you should visit if you want a taste of Breton elegance. The seafront is crowed with Victorian villas, which you don't expect at a famous beach resort - it hasn't gone down the tacky route at all, even though it does have a casino. Incongruously, there is a statue of Alfred Hitchcock in the main square, perched on an egg.

Dinan: the citadel here as been perfectly preserved and it is a beautiful and sedate place to visit that is not overrun by tourists. There isn't that much to see or do here of any significance, but it is a peaceful and relaxed place to visit for dinner - it has some great restaurants - if you're touring around the region.

Rennes: is the capital city of Brittany and is a good place to stop off for a taste of city life. It has a medieval quarter bordered by the canal; lots of bars, restaurants and clubs; two great museums (Musee de Bretagne which is devoted to Breton history and culture and the Musee de Beaux Arts which houses work by Leonardo di Vinci and Botticelli); and a great festival - the Festival des Tombees de la Nuit - which takes place in July (1-10th) and takes over the entire city with Breton culture, music, food, film and street theatre.

Roscoff: is one of the main towns on the Finistere (Land's End) coast, and even though it is a quiet port (it has a ferry service from Plymouth and Cork) it has a fine harbour and lots of 16th Century buildings and squares. This port is a gateway to the abers (deep narrow estuaries) and jagged western coast of Brittany that is full of small, isolated beaches and coves. It has several campsites and it is a great trip along the coast towards Brest from Roscoff, stopping off at the abers and coves.

Morlaix: this is a fabulous old Breton port built on a steep hill; its Jacobin convent was famously visited by Mary Queen of Scots.

Le Conquet: situated on the western tip of Brittany, Le Conquet has an amazing long strip of beach that is very quiet and an ideal place to visit, it does however flood at high tide. Otherwise, this is a sleepy fishing village with some nice cafes and a Benedictine abbey.

Brest: apart from its 15th Century castle and a couple of museums, Brest is famous today for being the home of Oceanopolis - the largest aquarium in Europe. It is a great place to visit, especially if you have children as it houses every species of fish, mollusc, sea anemone etc that you can think of within a modern and futuristic dome, complete with 3D cinema.

Quimper: is the oldest city within Brittany and has a huge impressive cathedral - Cathedrale St Correntin. It is a great place to shop as it has lots of unique little stores and a new marketplace Halles St Francis that is renowned for its food stalls. Crepes and cider, traditional costumes and Celtic music are still a genuine part of the Breton lifestyle here.

Q. What is the best way to get to Brittany from the UK

A.. The easiest way is by ferry. Brittany Ferries run a service to St Malo to and from Portsmouth and Plymouth. Condor ferries run services from Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Brittany Ferries also runs daily services to Roscoff from Plymouth and Cork.

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By Karen Anderson