Brittany, a region of character
Among Brittany’s many facets, its varied landscapes of coast and countryside, its legends, its sports activities such as walking, climbing, horse riding, and water sports (sailing, surfing, kite surfing, standup paddle etc.), its culture and festivals you are bound to find something to suit you.
Please Note: Of the places listed below, those in italics can be visited on excursions organised by CIEL Bretagne during the summer. The calender of these excursions is available in the school. The other destinations can be reached by train or bus.
A land rich in mystery and legends
Discover The mythical forest of Huelgoat and relive the legends of King Arthur. Travel back in time in Carnac with its lines of standing stones Around 4000 megaliths, one of the most impressive concentrations of standing stones in the world.
Wonders formed by the sea
Batz Island, 15 minutes by boat from Roscoff, is bathed by the Gulf Stream which endows the island with a mild climate where subtropical gardens flourish.
Bréhat Island, off the coast of granite rose, at sunrise or sunset, the wonderful colours make this island a paradise for photographers.
The Abers Coast, also called the coast of legends, where the tides continue to carve the rias or small fjords which provide havens of peace in the wild surrounding coastline.
Crozon peninsula, can be reached by road or by sea. With its beaches, fishing villages and rugged coastline, a complete change of scenery is guaranteed.
Places of tradition
The castle of Kergroadez is a wonderful example of Breton Renaissance and classified as a historical monument. The gardens are also listed in the inventory of remarkable gardens.
Le Conquet and its fishing port, with its lighthouse, its rugged coastline, the beautiful beach of Blancs-Sablons and the islands of Molene et Ouessant visible in the distance. A walk through the town’s typical streets or along the coast is not to be missed.
The Hamlet of Meneham, on the coast of the Abers, is a carefully restored fishing and seaweed-harvesting village with a 17th century guardhouse, all built between blocks of granite. This is one of the most photographed sites in Brittany.
Towns, both historic and modern, to explore
Brest, its ports, cultural activities, its technopole and its districts.
Landerneau, historical shopping town with one of the last bridges with habitations in Europe.
Quimper, its cathedral , its historical districts, its shops and parks.
Vannes, docks and marina on the Gulf of Morbihan. Involvement in marine research makes it a dynamic, university town in a traditional decor.
Morlaix, in the shaddow of its viaduct are centuries of history, typical houses and quaint streets maisons typiques et d’adorables petites rues s’offrent aux visiteurs curieux.
Carantec, seaside resort, which is a centre for both tourism and sports but not only!
And of course the world renowned site : le Mont Saint-Michel !
Brittany for inspiration
Today certain names are inseperable from breton places such Chateaubriand and Saint Malo or Gauguin and Pont Aven. But how many other writers, musicians, actors, yatchsmen and women have their roots or inspiration in Brittany: Max Jacob, Pierre-Jakes Hélias, Henri Quéffelec, Georges Simenon, Yann Quéffelec, Irène Frain, Miossec, Alan Stivell, Dan Ar Braz, Yann Tiersen, Olivier de Kersauson, Nolwenn Leroy and many more.
« Le grand air, les champs, la liberté, j’entends la vraie liberté… » – The open air, the fields, freedom, and I mean real freedom… As Flaubert did, come and rejuvinate yourself in Brittany!
