The top summer beach resorts in France: Brittany

Brittany's location on a peninsula in north-west France means that, as well as being easy to reach by cross channel ferry, it boasts the country's longest coastline. There are hundreds of miles of footpaths to follow along the coast, giving visitors the opportunity to see stunning rock formations and cliffs that surround long beaches and secluded bays.

The province also boasts plenty of watersports facilities, offering some fun and excitement to complement the scenic walks and lazy days on the beach.

Getting there

Brittany Ferries offers a range of options for travellers heading to north-west France, with ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo, Cherbourg and Caen. The company also sails from Poole to Cherbourg and provides ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff for holidaymakers setting off from south-west England.

People embarking on their holiday in France from Ireland can travel on Brittany Ferries' Cork to Roscoff ferry route or catch ferries from Rosslare to Roscoff with Irish Ferries.

Other travel options include LD Lines' ferries from Portsmouth to Le Havre and the Condor Ferries links from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Weymouth to St Malo.

Ferries to France timetables

Things to do

An excellent way to start a holiday in Brittany is to head to some of its finest beaches, where visitors can either lay back and relax in the sun or get involved in the exciting activities on offer. Some of the best beaches in Brittany are found in locations such as Perros Guirec on the so-called pink granite coast and La Baule in the far south-east of the province.

Summer visitors can try out all sorts of adventurous pursuits during their time on the beach, including windsurfing, canoeing and diving, as well as more unusual sports such as sand-yachting and kitesurfing. There are around 120 sailing schools and 230 sea centres located along the coast of Brittany, offering the opportunity to learn the ropes on a small boat and head out on the open sea.

Those interested in taking in the picturesque coastline of Brittany on foot can set off on one of the winding footpaths that cover over 1,300km of the province. Walking routes link Saint-Nazaire on the west coast to Mont Saint-Michel in the north, passing by some of the region's most impressive sights along the way.

Things to see

Brittany's countless seafront areas are home to some of the region's most impressive sights. From natural wonders such as the rocky outcroppings of the pink granite coast to picturesque towns such as Dinard and St Malo - both easy to reach by cross channel ferry - Brittany offers something to catch the eye of all visitors. Travellers visiting the town of Lannilis can take in the impressive sight of the Pont du Diable - or Devil's Bridge - a granite structure that dates back to the Iron Age. Also located nearby is the Vierge lighthouse, which at a height of 82.5 metres is the tallest lighthouse in Europe.

Another sight well worth seeing during a Brittany beach holiday is the seaside of Gavres-Quiberon, which boasts one of the most extensive dune systems in France. This impressive natural spectacle covers an area of 2,500 hectares along a 35km stretch of coastline. The dunes and the sprawling rock formations that surround them are home to a range of extremely rare plants that are protected by the European Union. Wildlife lovers can keep an eye out for the marine creatures that are regularly found along this coastal stretch, as well as migrating birds that gather on the lofty cliff tops.

Those planning to take in some of Brittany's beauty spots during their visit can head to Cape Erquy or Cape Frehel, which boast all of the colour and vibrancy of the famous Cote d'Azur in southern France. Ploumanach is just as worthy of exploration - with its seven islands and the castle of Costaeres - not to mention the famous bay of Mont Saint Michel, one of France's iconic tourist attractions.

Places to stay

Travellers catching ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo to start their trip can choose from a number of hotels in the port city. Escale Oceania St Malo and Anne de Bretagne are among the two-star options, combining affordability with excellent locations.

The three-star Hotel Alba also boasts an ideal location near one of the best beaches on the Brittany coast, combined with facilities including a thalassotherapy centre. Those looking for some four-star luxury can take their pick from establishments such as the Grand Hotel des Thermes on the bay of St Malo and the Oceania just outside the walls of the old town.

Another seafront town offering a range of accommodation is Brest, which is home to the two-star Kyriad Hotel, the three-star Best Western and several other properties. Those planning to head further south may be interested in the three-star Hotel des Voyageurs in Auray or Hotel du Beryl in Saint Brevin-les-Pins, which is a 25-minute walk away from the beach at La Baule.

Written by Mark Robinson