Highlights of a Camping Holiday in Brittany

Brittany has long been a favourite destination for visitors to France. It offers a unique blend of beautiful countryside, historical sites, medieval architecture and a strong traditional culture. With so many of its attractions focused along the coast and in the surrounding countryside, camping holidays in Brittany are one of the most popular ways of seeing the sights and sampling the delights of the region. There are plenty of highlights to experience while camping in Brittany; included below is a selection of them, ranging from traditional Breton cider and flawless beaches to medieval abbeys and the mysterious standing stones at Carnac.

Celtic Culture

Out of all the regions of France, Brittany is the one with the most pronounced individual culture. With close historic ties to Celtic Britain, it was an autonomous country until the 16th century.

It has its own language, Breton, which is still spoken in many parts of Brittany today. This traditional culture is evident in the in the various Celtic art, music, storytelling and religious festivals that regularly occur in towns all over Brittany. Remnants of Brittany's past can be seen most prominently at the standing stones of Carnac, a group of menhirs believed to be over 5000 years old. These are close to many of the campsites in Brittany, and there are plenty of other, smaller historical sites all along the coast.

Medieval Sightseeing

There are plenty of medieval sights to visit on a camping holiday in Brittany. These include the stunning medieval abbey at Mont St Michel which rises spectacularly out of the tidal island and there is also the town of Vannes which has many of the old Breton architecture still intact, including a cathedral, chateau and numerous churches.

Beautiful Beaches

The long beaches of Brittany are a fantastic attraction for holidaymakers. It's easy to see why they are so popular, with glorious white sandy beaches framed by towering cliffs and rock formations that dominate the Breton coast. There's no easier way to get easy access to these lovely beaches than going on a camping holiday in Brittany. Campsites are plentiful along this outstanding coastline, and the beaches and water are perfect for swimming, boating, a variety of water sports, or just relaxing in the sun.

Food and Drink

Brittany is famed for its exciting gastronomy, in particular top quality seafood, which is a real 'must have' whilst camping in Brittany. Oysters are a particular speciality, along with crayfish, scallops, shrimps and crab. The dish of choice is the Breton Seafood Platter; any restaurant in Brittany worth its salt should be able to serve up a splendid selection of 'Fruits de Mer' (Fruits of the Ocean). For desert, try Breton crepes, thin crispy pancakes that are served with sweet or savoury fillings.

In contrast to the love affair that the rest of France has with its wine, comparatively little wine is grown in Brittany. Cider is the drink of choice, so if you do go on a camping holiday to Brittany, make sure you try some of this famous Breton cider!