Brittany 10 things to do and see along the Costa di Granito Rosa

The spectacular Costa di Granito Rosa in Brittany, famous for its soft cliffs carved by wind and tides, is one of those places to see at least once in life. An excellent pretext for a travel trip in Brittany, where in addition to the natural wonders of one of the most suggestive coasts of France you will also discover jewel villages, romantic islands, art cities, charming hotels and a gastronomy that is worth the trip, especially if you love oysters and crustaceans! Here's mine. top list of places and addresses Not to be missed, tested personally during my recent trip to Brittany.

1. Rennes, the capital of Brittany

Don’t expect any provincial town, Rennes has the allure of the capital. Even because capital was really, at the time of the Duchy of Brittany, when this north-west region of France was a free and independent state. To find some of the grandeur of the time, go to Parliament square, surrounded by the 16th century palace of the Parliament of Brittany, in fact, and from elegant hotel particulier that will seem to you to be in Paris.

Just turn the corner to find you in the middle ages, or almost. The charming old town, which is still accessed by the fifteenth century Porte "Mordelaises" with caditoie and drawbridge, preserves the greater concentration of houses with grating Gothic style of all France. But it’s far from a museum district, indeed.

The streets and squares are full of bistros and beers crowded with young people and students, especially in rue Motte-Fablet, rue Saint-Georges and around Place St. Anne and place des Lyces, that was the heart of the medieval city and every Saturday morning hosts one of the most animated markets of France.

2. Eating crepes and galettes as if there was no tomorrow

If you are crépes golosis, in Brittany you can really take away all the features. Together with the galettes, they are the typical specialties of the region and you can enjoy them with a thousand different fillings. Important, however, is not to make confusion: crépes are of wheat flour and usually have a sweet filling, while the galettes are of buckwheat and stuffed with salty ingredients. Together they make a full meal.

In Rennes, the right address to mark for a romantic dinner or among friends in a contemporary environment and trés chic is that of Creperie Saint Georges. Even if it has two locations, you should still book because it is always full. The menu is from capogiro, with an assortment that ranges from the most classic crépes to the most imaginative combinations, on which I was obviously swelled.

I finally chose the GGeorges Harrison fins with smoked lard, goat, pear and goat ice cream and, as dessert, the Caramello Crépe with whipped cream: simply delicious! All accompanied by a glass of cider, ça va sans dire.

3. Perros-Guirec, the pearl of the Costa di Granito Rosa

It is one of the holiday resorts more ambitious than Brittany. Although we, accustomed to the warmer climate of the Mediterranean, we only shirk at the idea of diving into the waters of the Channel, in summer the wide Trestignel and Trestraou beaches They are crowded with bathers. In every season it is the perfect base to explore Costa di Granito Rosa.

Locals, cafes, restaurants and nightlife (there is also the casino) focus around Trestraou beach. We have dinner in La Suite, on the seafront, choosing the Menu Tentation La Suite from 30,50 Euro, which also includes a plate of 6 fresh oysters.

4. Sleep cradled by the tides at the hotel Les Costans

In the heart of Perros-Guirec, thehotel Les Costans is a delicious relais du silence set in an elegant villa overlooking the sea and the Costa di Granito Rosa, with the Sept-Iles on the horizon. The best rooms are the first floor open on the terrace. But I slept in a room on the top floor, small but very cosy, and with an amazing view on the coast that changes continuously to the rhythm of the tides. The awakening is softened by a sumptuous breakfast with cakes and typical desserts served in the bright room overlooking the garden.

5. The Sentier des Douaniers in Perros-Guirec

Once traveled by the doganieri who patrolled the coast to prevent smuggling, it is a journey of more than 1000 kilometers that cries coast of Brittany. The most striking section, however in the territory of Perros-Guirec: in total there are 9 km, return, easy walk by the sea of Costa di Granito Rosa, between Trestraou beach, the lighthouse of Mean Ruz and the port of Ploumanac’h.

A path accessible to all, in the midst of a chaos of huge pink granite stones from the most bizarre forms, which seem real sculptures forged by the wind. So much so that someone also enjoyed looking for similarities to objects, animals and human figures. Hand maps (distributed to the tourist office), you can also enjoy identifying "the charms of the lighthouse", "the Napoleon's hat", "the skull", "the witch", "the flipped bottle" and many other stone silhouettes scattered along the way.

6. Visit the emblematic village of Ploumanac’h

This charming fishing village nestled in Costa di Granito Rosa is, officially, the "Village Préferé des Français". It deserves therefore absolutely a stop, to walk through the streets and on the beach sheltered from the rocks, where according to the legend in the VII century landed Saint-Guirec, come from Wales to evangelize the Bretons. His statue is kept in the Oratory above the cliff and is a pilgrimage destination for girls who wish to marry within the year, who according to tradition must plant a needle in the face of the poor monk.

7. A trip to Bréhat Island

It takes ten minutes to sail from Ploubazlanec on Costa di Granito Rosa to reach the island-garden of Bréhat, wild and greedy, which enchanted artists and painters like Paul Sérusier, Paul Signac and Marc Chagall. An idyllic place a little outside the world, perfect for a romantic getaway, staying inonly hotel on the island, the Bellevue, or in the cozy chambre d’hotes scattered in the green.

To understand why it is called "the island of flowers" you must visit it in spring, when it is an explosion of flowers, mimosas, camelie, aloe, agavi and agapanti. Rent a bike, since the bike car are off-limits, and go to the discovery of the interior, following the paths between the fields that connect the only village, Le Bourg, with solitary chapels, the old lighthouse, rocky coves and the medieval fort that today houses Les Verreries de Bréhat, an artisan atelier of fine blown glass objects.

8. Shopping in Dinard's market

In Belle Epoque, Dinard was "the 1ère Station Balneaire de France", frequented by the aristocracy and the crowned heads of half Europe. Of the splendor of that time it preserves beautiful villas in Gothic style on the sea, the casino and a très chic atmosphere. If its name is familiar to you is probably because of Festival du Film Britannique held in September. In the rest of the year, the most interesting event is the Saturday market, one of the most important in the region.

A real show with over 300 stalls gathered around the Halles de la Concorde, where you can find all typical products and crafts of the area. The most crowded benches, of course, are those of oysters, Coquillage and molluscs generally, but you have to arrive early, because in the middle of the morning they have already sold almost everything.

In order not to stay dry, then reach the Café Rouge in the near Boulevard Feart, family atmosphere and all the dishes of fish and crustaceans you can want.

9. Sleep 5 stars in the new Hotel Castelbrac in Dinard

The chicest hotel in Dinard is set in the old aquarium of the 1930s, of which it has maintained the original architecture with the big window facing on the bay of Saint-Malo. Décor marine and style vaguely Art Deco also in the rooms, minimal and bright, and in the bar that would not fade on board the Nautilus.

10. The medieval atmosphere of Dinan

I recommend, do not confuse it with Dinard, from which it is only about twenty kilometers. City of art and history, since arrival you will seem to make a leap back in time, finding yourself as by magic in full Middle Ages. Lose yourself for the streets of this "...nice city nestled and built overhanging on a precipice, like a nest of swallows", as Victor Hugo wrote, gathered around the mighty feudal castle.

Discover a jewel village with Gothic and Romanesque churches, a river port at the bottom of the Rance estuary, houses with graticcio and porches where they open boutiques and craft shops and typical products, as at the time when Dinan was the commercial capital of the Country of Rance.

For more information and insights, see the website Turisme Bretagne