At the tip of Brittany, the very last stretch of land before the Atlantic Ocean, the Finistère delights holidaymakers of all kinds with its exceptional coastline, folklore, delicious gastronomy and incredible charm! But you know that already since you have chosen this little piece of paradise for your holiday. Let’s get started straight away with the other key aspect of a successful holiday: what to do and visit in the Finistère? This is the question we aim to answer in this article to ensure that the Finistère holds (almost) no more secrets for you!
Brest
The starting point for your tour of the Finistère, Brest is a truly charming port town. With its harbour, considered to be one of the most beautiful in France, its National Maritime Museum and Océanopolis, the park that is all about the oceans, there's no doubt that families and lovers alike will find plenty to keep them entertained and enthralled in this Breton seaside city that is much more surprising than it seems.
Armorique Regional Natural Park
Steeped in magic and mystery, this 125,000-hectare natural park is the perfect place if you want to get away from it all. Between Huelgoat Forest, the birthplace of many legends, Cranou Forest, the perfect spot for hiking, and Landévennec Forest, where the sea is never very far, amazement is guaranteed!
Crozon Peninsula
Halfway between Brest and Quimper, the Crozon Peninsula is a true paradise, one of Brittany’s many secrets. Here the land meets the sea to form pretty little coves with crystal-clear waters, offering the perfect backdrop for great memories for all the family or with your loved one… a reminder of just how beautiful Brittany is (in case you might have forgotten!)
Quimper
Slightly further south, Quimper is well worth the detour while you are on holiday in the Finistère. A city of art and history, with streets lined with half-timbered houses with a corbelling structure and footbridges spanning the Odet River, the capital of Cornouaille will never to fail to delight and offers the opportunity to (re)discover the many Breton specialities: fresh seafood, sweet and savoury pancakes, kouign-amann, and of course salted butter caramel... to mention just a few!
Bénodet
Located at the mouth of the Odet River, a few kilometres from Quimper, the seaside resort of Bénodet is a jewel in the southern Finistère and the perfect place for a family holiday. Explore its charming coastline on foot or by bicycle, discover its lighthouses and historic buildings and savour Brittany’s gentle pace of life. Another great asset of our family seaside resort is the ferries to the Glénan Islands, another wonder of the Finistère to visit, which we will discuss slightly further down.
Pont-Aven
Best known for its famous biscuits (made with semi-salted butter, of course), Pont-Aven is also famous for being “the city of painters”. Indeed, many artists, including Gauguin, visited this small Breton paradise seeking inspiration... and found it! You too will quickly fall for the charms of this picturesque Breton village.
Concarneau
Prepare yourself to step back in time when you visit the historic town of Concarneau. Its Walled Town, a small fortified island dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, is a stunning historic vestige and one of Brittany's most visited tourist sites. In addition to its historical heritage and wonderful atmosphere, Concarneau also benefits from an exceptional coastline that can be discovered by following the GR 34 long-distance footpath, known as the “Customs Path”. The untamed beauty of the coast of the Finistère will take your breath away (apparently something that is quite common in Brittany!)
Névez
If your must-see list for your holiday in Brittany includes traditional stone houses, Névez is the place for you! Not only will you find typical houses with thatched roofs that provide the perfect setting for your holiday snaps, but there are also fine sandy beaches with turquoise waters where you can relax with your family or your loved one. It's no coincidence that one of them is called “Tahiti Beach”... With the many attractions it has to offer, Névez may even become one of your favourite seaside destinations in Brittany!
The islands of the Finistère
The next stage of your journey in Penn-ar-Bed (the Breton name for the Finistère, meaning “end of the world”) takes you out to sea, towards the Breton islands that line the coast.
- Ushant: dominated by the famous Le Créac’h lighthouse, the island of Ushant is the largest and wildest island in the Iroise Sea. The Niou Eco-museum, which presents life in the olden days, as well as the Lighthouse and Beacon Museum, are both well worth a visit.
- Sein: with its small port filled with colourful boats, its charming narrow streets and stunning landscapes, this small island on the ocean’s edge is a jewel like no other.
- Molène: this is the island in the Finistère with the richest wildlife! Otters, dolphins, grey seals and sea birds have made their home here. It is also particularly famous for its seaweed-smoked sausage!
- Glénan Archipelago: turquoise waters, white sand and picture-postcard scenery, these islands at the end of the world look like something you might find in the tropics, earning them the nickname of the “Breton Caribbean”. A must during a stay in the Finistère that has to be seen at least once in your lifetime!
Water sports
Finally, let’s round off this article with the activities you can do with your family or your other half. Naturally, these can be enjoyed on the waters of the Iroise Sea or the Celtic Sea because it’s impossible to spend your holiday in Brittany without indulging in your favourite water sports activity. And, you will be spoilt for choice: surfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, windsurfing, etc. For those who don’t have sea legs, lay down your towel on the beach and let yourself be lulled by the sound of the waves.
Travel advice for a successful stay in the Finistère: Sandaya campsites
Plan the holiday programme: done. Now, some advice for a trip to Brittany without any clouds on the horizon:
- A well-informed holidaymaker is worth two: to avoid disappointment, obtain details of the opening times of the tourist sites you want to visit (for example, the Glénan Islands can only be visited from April to September).
- Pack well: the weather in Brittany is changeable, so be sure to bring rain gear, even in the summer season!
- For a great holiday, it’s essential to choose the right accommodation: fortunately, thanks to the wide range of accommodation available in the open-air camping sector, you are sure to find something to suit every budget.
- Go with the flow: guides are all very well, but you can often have a nice surprise if you leave things to chance...
Accommodation for everyone in the Finistère
The great thing about a Sandaya campsite is that you have plenty to choose from when it comes to finding a cosy nest in Brittany:
- Traditional mobile homes for all the comforts of home
- Pitches where you can revitalise yourself and commune with nature, the way camping used to be
- Quirky accommodation such as lodge tents for an original touch!
From Névez to Bénodet, including Clohars-Carnoët, our Sandaya campsites offer you the very best of camping for a hugely successful Breton holiday!
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