Brittany's beautiful villages

A driving holiday around Brittany is the perfect way to enjoy the many beautiful villages and towns of this lovely region of France. With its strong Celtic history and ancient links with Britain, Brittany is a picturesque and easily accessible short-break holiday destination.

The seas pound the high walls of St Malo and locals and visitors line the wall-top promenade in the late afternoon sun to marvel at the seascape.

Monuments to the author Chateaubriand, the corsair Surcouf and the explorer Jacques Cartier mark a perambulation around the walls and you shouldn't miss a tour of the old prison.

Just around the coast is the traditional fishing harbour village of Cancale, where you can buy oysters directly off the boats in season.

Only a short drive away is the walled medieval town of Dinan. One of the oldest towns in the region, its narrow streets are lined with half-timbered buildings.

Near the centre you will find the Tour d'Horloge, which has a deafening 500-year-old bell.

Follow the narrow winding Rue du Jerzual down to the old port beside the river Rance for views of Dinan's ramparts in all their medieval splendour.

Josselin is dubbed a "petite cite de caractere" and its chateau is still home to the de Rohan family, which has historic connections with the dukes of Brittany, as well the royal houses of France and England.

The castle looks like a medieval fortress but has a Renaissance-style interior. In the stables is a museum, which features a family doll collection.

Tregier is famous for its beautiful cathedral, with its delicate 14th century spire and graceful cloister. The lively harbour is a great place to have seafood or a delicious crepe.

Prehistoric peoples left a lot of evidence of their habitation in Brittany and the village of Carnac is a good example.

With traditional rural architecture set beside sandy and sheltered beaches, a visit to Carnac should include a wander around its famous megalithic site.

The mysterious menhirs and dolmen here are some of the largest standing stones in the region.

Perros Guirec exudes holiday charm, with its marina and pretty village surrounding the 12th century church of St Jacques.

From the sandy beaches of Trestaou you can walk along the coastal path of the famous pink granite coast to Ploumanac'h and enjoy yet more seafood.

If you're taking a longer break drive west to Quimper (a two to three hour drive from St Malo), where there are many attractive villages to visit.

Quimper itself has fine medieval dwellings and several charming districts. Set beside the river Odet, it is famous for its pottery.

Lacronan is named as one of France's 100 most beautiful villages and is only a short drive north-west of Quimper.

Its beautiful main square features renaissance houses as well as the church of St Ronan and the Bonne Nouvelle chapel.

Also making the top 100 is Ile de Re, linked to the mainland by a spectacular bridge and featuring no less than two of the most beautiful villages in France.

In La Flotte en Re and Ars en Re, enjoy the sunny harbour-side streets and famous seafood.

Also on the coast is the fishing port of Pont-Aven, where artists have been coming to paint the scenery for 150 years.

Paul Gauguin was probably the most famous artistic resident, staying for three years from 1886.

He lived in lodgings near the bridge (which are now a newsagent) and painted strongly-coloured scenes of the water-mills and quays along the river-mouth.

Nearby, Tremalo Chapel featured in his famous painting The Yellow Christ.

Travel information:

For more information on touring Brittany see Brittany Tourism.

Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to St Malo, with both a night and daytime crossing every 24 hours.

The cabin accommodation is comfortable or the budget conscious can opt for a reclining seat.

There are also plenty of eating and shopping options on board, as well as two cinema screens and children's entertainment.

There are a number of hire car companies based in the ferry terminal at St Malo, including Europcar.

See the Brittany Ferries website for gite and hotel accommodation options.