Brittany Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do throughout Brittany


  • aquarium
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

Much more than an aquarium, more of a space age aquatic world with three pavilions containing polar, tropical and temperate ecosystems and many interactive displays

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • virtual tours
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  • science

set within the Champs Libres, this interactive space also boasts a planetarium, temporary exhibition space and a library with lots to entertain the children

Grand Aquarium

Saint Malo

  • aquarium
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

with a simulated descent aboard an underwater submarine and a touch pool where children can fondle rays and turbots, there are also excellent exhibits on local marine life, tropical reefs and mangrove forests

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • fashion
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  • furniture
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  • history

set in the grounds of the Champs Libres, highlighting all things cultural and historical associated with Brittany with interactive displays and themed exhibitions

  • historic house
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • walking

dating from the 13th Century, but re-built in the 19th to provide an exquisite example of Empire architecture with intriguing Russian connections revealed during the tour

  • museum
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • art
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  • history

a combined ticket allows the visitor to enter both properties. The museum showcases the local history and archaeology and the house is a beautifully restored half-timbered example dating back to the 16th Century

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • transport
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  • trains

the line runs from Piampol to Pontrieux with classic steam engines and period carriages following an attractive route through countryside and forest

  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • nature
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  • walking

with 3500 species of exotic plants - many from the Southern hemisphere- this impressive garden offers a tranquil respite

  • archeological site
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • guided tours
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • walking

with a rooftop viewing platform overlooking the Menhir alignments, the museum explores the history of the site. Walking through the site is only permitted in the winter months

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • limited opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • guided tours
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  • food & drink
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  • history

tracing the history of the local onion farmers, known as 'Johnnies' with photographs illustrating the story. Guided tour only

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • local history

a modern museum bringing to life the domestic side of neolithic history with well documented exhibits, including beautifully carved objects from around the region

  • art gallery
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • shop
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  • art

detailing the importance of the Pont Aven school of art, with many fine examples and a good resource library which is available to book in advance

  • place of worship
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

an historic abbey that offers a glimpse into religious life in the Middle Ages, surrounded by gardens and providing tranquil walks in the luscious grounds

  • historic house
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • needlecraft

illustrating the local history through art from the 16th to the 20th Century, as well as the trade in fabric. There is also a reconstruction of an apothecary shop, detailing the concoctions that were used as medicines in earlier days

  • fortress
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history

the museum is set within the Hotel Citadelle Vauban and is open to the public. There are fine examples of period military artefacts and in the summer months there are evening performances depicting historical, military life

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • food & drink
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

the visit includes a short documentary explaining the oyster farmers' work, followed by a visit to the sorting and packing workshops

Fort National

Saint Malo

  • archeological site
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history

a form er prison built by Vauban in the late seventeenth century and can be accessed at low tide.

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage

the museum is housed within the 13th Century fortified chateau de Brest. There are splendid views from the ramparts of the harbour and the naval base

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • transport
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  • boats

set in a former cod drying factory with a splendid collection of nautical artefacts, including Seine nets, canvas sails and fishing outfits

  • museum
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  • seasonal opening
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  • archeology
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  • fashion
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • needlecraft
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  • photography

showcasing Breton history with excellent displays of furniture, craft, costumes and with many paintings illustrating the close links with the sea and fishing in this area

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