Travel guide Finistere
Finistère: From here on, it's just the sea
The department and popular holiday destination Finistère is located in the north-west of France in Brittany and is the westernmost point of the French mainland. Long sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and picturesque bays characterize the landscape between
Brest and Quimperlé. You can easily reach your private vacation rental in Finistère by the coast via the chic Art-deco train station in Brest or Morlaix with several direct high-speed connections to the capital
Paris. Brest also has the largest airport in Brittany. By car, it takes about eleven hours to reach your holiday accommodation, house, or apartment in Finistère from western Germany. Rent a cozy holiday home or apartment near the beach now and enjoy a relaxing seaside vacation amidst cliffs, beautiful landscapes, and interesting excursion destinations.
Not too hot, not too cold, and always windy
A moderate maritime climate prevails in
Brittany. The Gulf Stream ensures mild temperatures. Winters are not too cold, and summers are only moderately warm. The average daily temperature is below 22°C even in the summer months. The best months for a
beach holiday in Finistère are July and August when the water temperature can rise to 20°C on warm days and in enclosed bays. A
city trip in Finistère is possible all year round. The temperature rarely falls below freezing, even in the colder season. A strong west wind is to be expected throughout the year.
Taste of Brittany: Galettes, scallops, and some cider
Brittany is famous for its thin buckwheat pancakes (galettes) and even thinner crêpes, as well as its Mediterranean flair near the sea. They are among the oldest recipes in the region. Galettes are mostly filled with savory sausage or sardines and topped with cheese and a fried egg, folded at the edges to form an open square. Crêpes are usually sweet or fruity, with honey, chocolate, or jam. The Breton meat stew Kig ha farz is a dish for windy autumn or winter days. The pot contains beef, oxtail, pork belly, cabbage, vegetables, eggs, and plenty of butter. Fish and seafood lovers will never tire of dining in Brittany. The local lobsters are legendary. Cheaper options include crayfish and the affordable large scallops (coquille St-Jacques), which are typically served baked in their shell. A dry cider, enjoyed from the typical earthenware cups, pairs perfectly with these delicacies. Cider is considered the national drink of the Bretons. Excellent Crémant sparkling wines are produced in the Loire Valley according to the champagne method.
Experience the Atlantic up close in Finistère
The long coast of the holiday destination Finistère, with its sandy beaches, offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment for families and water sports enthusiasts. The Pointe du Raz is a rugged, wind-swept rocky cape and a must for hikers! The
Crozon peninsula is famous among surfers for its breakers. Ideal wind conditions make the beaches of Goulien, Kersigouenou, L'Aber, Kerloc'h, Pen Hat, Lostmarc'h, and La Palue a paradise for windsurfers, kitesurfers, paragliders, and land sailors. Beginners can learn to race sand yachts at low tide along the surf line. Sea kayaking tours to small bays near the Cap de la Chevre are a more leisurely activity. If it rains during your vacation, a trip to the Oceanopolis seawater aquarium at the harbor of Brest is a great option. The aquariums, containing nearly four million liters of seawater, are divided into climate zones. The tropical area features sharks, reef fish, and coral, while the temperate climate tank showcases the marine flora and fauna of Brittany. In the touch area, children can touch crabs, shells, and sea cucumbers. If you are traveling by car, you can also bring your dog and enjoy the holiday together with your family.
Stone Age relics, porcelain, and Breton Gothic
Aside from the popular coast and the sea, there is plenty to see and discover. Finistère is famous for its Stone Age relics. Not far from your cozy holiday home in Finistère, you will find the nearest stone burial chambers, menhirs, or megalithic structures. The menhirs of Kergadiou, for example, are among the largest in France. More can be found in Plouezoc’h, at the Kernéléhen peninsula, and the village of Kerléven in the municipality of La Forêt-Fouesnant. The Crozon peninsula in the west of Brittany is a unique natural experience. With countless bays, kilometers-long beaches, and beautiful hiking trails through the natural park "Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique," Crozon is one of the most authentic holiday areas in the region.
Quimper, on the other hand, is famous for its porcelain manufacture. Porcelain has been handcrafted here for four centuries. The city also boasts a picturesque old town. Characteristic are the Breton Gothic-style houses with their widely visible spires. The wild, authentic Cornouaille region awaits you with vast natural landscapes and colorful, traditional folk traditions. Bathed in sea and light, Cornouaille is a paradise for artists, athletes, and lovers of beauty and good food. In Landerneau, the Pont de Rohan bridge over the Élorn River is worth a visit. It is one of the few bridges in Europe that has residential houses built on it. The origin of the bridge dates back to the 14th century. Simply book a cozy holiday home or apartment, for example, in Penmarch or Audierne, near the beach, and experience an unforgettable vacation in Finistère between cliffs and sea. The perfect holiday destination, full of Mediterranean flair and relaxing natural landscapes, awaits you!