Brest

Located at the mouth of the river Penfeld, the Château de Brest is the oldest monument in Brest. Strategically placed, this military fortress has over 1,700 years of history in its original role - from the Roman castellum to Vauban's citadel that stands proudly on the opposite river bank to the Tour Tanguy. Classified as a monument historique in 1923, it is the oldest castle still in use with the French Navy still operating here. Today, it is also home to the National Naval Museum with lots of exhibits looking at the history of the Brest arsenal and has recently begun showing some shipbuilding exhibits in its dungeon. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/guides/france/brittany/brest/attractions/chateau-de-brest

A huge exciting exhibition of all things connected with the sea. You'll need a full day here, with aquariums, film & live shows and over 1000 kinds of living creatures. Discover the oceans in 3 pavilions: Polar (penguins, seals & a real ice floe); Tropical (underwater views of sharks & coral reefs) and Temperate (aspects of the sea around Brittany including seals & jellyfish). A new exhibition, 'Abysses' explains the wonders and diversity of marine life. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/guides/france/brittany/brest/attractions/oceanopolis

This lovely, long, family-friendly beach in the village of Plonévez-Porzay has a magnificent view over the town and bay of Douarnenez and the cliffs of the Crozon peninsula. http://www.brittanytourism.com/to-see-to-do/beaches-and-seaside-activities/beaches/plage-de-kervel2

Explore the Port Musée (Maritime Museum) in Douarnenez relating the maritime history of Europe, Asia and further afield. Get aboard the four floating boats! http://www.brittanytourism.com/to-see-to-do/other-activities/le-port-musee

The village of Locronan, its church and the chapel of Penity, its old houses and its well, everything here is wonder and historical monuments. http://www.penhars-infos.com/article-l-eglise-saint-ronan-de-locronan-117115619.html

In Breton, troménie means ‘walk around a sacred place’. The troménie in Locronan takes place every six years (next issue in July 2019) and is a totally unique event. Every time, thousands of people, some dressed in traditional costume, take part in the 12 km procession. http://www.brittanytourism.com/to-see-to-do/events/brittany-s-main-events/tromenie-de-locronan-8-july-2018

The castle built on the site of a mediaeval fortress was the residence of two American Francophiles painters, Alfred and Trafford Klots. Paintings collections. https://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.bzh/ln/en/discover/heritage-museums/built-heritage/?tif_r=4de3e247-2ee9-434c-a972-4bf10948c8c3&Parc-du-Chateau-de-Rochefort-en-Terre

Listed on the Historical Monuments, the chapel was founded in the fiftteenth century by Bertrand de Quifistre, Lord Trémohar, owner of the nearby castle with the same name. It has beautiful wall paintings from the sixteenth century. https://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.bzh/ln/en/discover/heritage-museums/built-heritage/?tif_r=38ea6a64-1640-4b26-82ca-a880d4e0b6c1&Chapelle-Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

A community art centre joining a museography area, a creative art space and a temporary exhibition hall. The Art Centre of Caden is not only a museum displaying thetoy farms designed by Albert Sevestre, but also a venue for exhibits and activities. https://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.bzh/ln/en/discover/heritage-museums/museum-prehistory-megaliths-brittany/?tif_r=97771fc9-2b46-483c-a676-398565860397&Centre-culturel-les-Digitales

The Dinan Rail Museum has been open to the public since 1989 and welcomes nearly 5,000 visitors each year. The museum is spread over 4 large rooms, video projections, static and dynamic collections of scale models will immerse you in the heart of the history of rail. Since its creation in 1983, the association of friends of the Dinanne rail has brought together enthusiasts of the railroad and railway model making (some often merging with the others). This museum is the fruit of their unconventional love for the railway heritage of their region. The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes and can continue with the discovery of Dinan, a medieval city. The city has a park: the Val Cocherel garden - equipped for picnics with the family (tables, games, toilets ...). The museum staff will provide you with any information on this subject. http://www.museedurail-dinan.com/

The centerpiece of the medieval city wall, the Dinan castle is at the heart of an ambitious project highlighting the remarkable architecture of this princely residence. The building brings together three elements united in the sixteenth century. https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/dinan-5086/castle-dinan-5253.htm

Ancient basilica with a beautiful medieval and Renaissance party party. Magnificent altarpiece. Go see behind the English garden to the ramparts, with a lovely view over the port of Dinan and the Rance Valley. https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/dinan-5086/basilica-saint-sauveur-14427.htm

One of the most remarkable estuaries in Brittany: several exhibitions concerning the heritage surrounding this tidal river. Interactive displays, reconstructions, with sound and smell, a simulation of the tide and its effect, and video displays. http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/visit-saint-malo/attractions/museums-famous-sites/137755-maison-de-la-rance

Located in St Malo, built by a 18th shipowners family, this beautiful Malouinière is still inhabited by the family, Magon family. The park is classified Historic Monument, takes place in 3 successive terraces with drop of water and moat south side, and a large square courtyard with a chapel of the 18th and 17th of common, north side. http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/visit-saint-malo/attractions/museums-famous-sites/137736-malouiniere-de-la-chipaudiere

Lamorna is the place where the 2013 movie Summer in February was filmed. The cove has a small pebble beach beside the harbour and quay with lots of large boulders, especially at low tide. The cove is on the South West Coast Path between Porthcurno and Mousehole. A nice quiet spot for swimming and a good spot for scuba diving, though no lifeguard cover provided. https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/west-cornwall/lands-end/lamorna-cove-beach

Located in Dol-de-Bretagne, Cathédraloscope takes you to the time of the cathedrals. Check the box of the architect, decrypt the windows, dive into the heart of the site to the rhythm of the eleven rooms of the museum. Guided tours, introductions to stone, creative workshops, building games, mystery to unravel http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/visit-saint-malo/attractions/museums-famous-sites/220820-cathedraloscope

From above it looks as though some wandering Greeks, two thousand years ago, had carved a theatre into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno, Cornwall. In fact, it was just under eighty years ago that there was nothing there except a sloping gully of gorse and heather and below that, the sea of the Atlantic Ocean. The summer theatre season runs from May to September presenting drama, musicals and opera in this most dramatic of settings. Day visitors can explore this world-famous open-air theatre created from a cliffside at Porthcurno by Rowena Cade. The sub-tropical gardens have become an established favourite, especially for gardeners with a taste for the exotic. The succulent plants thrive on the open cliffside providing an added dash of colour to the Minack all year round. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/lands-end/minack-theatre

Discover this hidden history at the award-winning Telegraph Museum, nestled in Porthcurno Valley, and leave feeling surprised and amazed. Explore new interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations and family-friendly activities that bring the communication story to life in a fun and engaging way no matter what your age. Explore the underground World War 2 tunnels and experience the sights and sounds of a working telegraph station. What’s more? After you’ve finished exploring the museum, enjoy a spot of lunch in the cafe, or grab yourself a treasure in the museum’s shop. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/lands-end/telegraph-museum-porthcurno

Perranuthnoe beach is located on the south coast around a mile to the east of Marazion, with fine views of Cornwall's jewel, St Michael's Mount. At low tide Perranuthnoe is a sandy beach with some shingle and at high tide, the beach is mostly claimed by the sea. The beach is a popular one with surfers. Known by locals as Perran Sands, the beach can be confused with the beach of the same name at Perranporth on the north coast. https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/good-beach-guide/west-cornwall/penzance/perranuthnoe-beach

Stroll across the granite causeway where a legendary giant once walked and follow the footsteps of pilgrims. Boat hop to an island where modern life meets layers of history, discover a medieval castle, a sub-tropical paradise and a close-knit island community. Delve into the history of a fortress, a priory, a harbour and a home. Stray from the mainland on foot or by boat and get up close to the beguiling beauty of the castle-topped isle standing proud in Mount’s Bay. Come ashore for a family outing, a tour of the castle or a garden visit. Scale the fairytale turrets for dazzling views. Listen to live music on the village green and tuck into fresh local food in the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant. Infuse your senses with colour and scent in the unique sub-tropical gardens basking in the mild climate and salty breeze. Clinging to granite slopes the terraced beds tier steeply down to the ocean’s edge, boasting tender exotics from places such as Mexico, the Canary Islands and South Africa. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/marazion/st-michaels-mount

At low tide access to St Michael's Mount is by way of a granite causeway, once walked by pilgrims. Whilst at high tide a gentle boat ride takes visitors to the historic castle on the island. Simply relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this enchanting beach is pleasant enough but with windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing and sailing all on offer there is plenty to keep even the most energetic busy. The long sandy beach is very safe, and a short walk along the sand dunes will enable you to find a private sun trap. There are rock pools to explore around Chapel Rock and Marazion Harbour, and a well-equipped play park is situated just above the beach. Facilities for sailing and windsurfing are available, with a windsurfing school situated at the far end of Marazion beach. https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/lifeguards-seasonal/west-cornwall/marazion/marazion-beach

Newlyn Art Gallery exists because of a long history of contemporary art-making in the far west of Cornwall and has celebrated contemporary art and supported the artists that produce it for more than 120 years. Newlyn Art Gallery continues to present contemporary work in all media by regional, national and international artists, with a changing programme of exhibitions and events. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/west-cornwall/penzance/newlyn-art-gallery

Built in 1865 as a gracious Victorian home, Penlee House has been converted to create a first-class gallery and museum set within an attractive park. It specialises in showing the area’s unique, rich cultural heritage incorporating the historic collections of Penzance Town Council, Penwith District Council and Newlyn Art Gallery. Penlee House has a permanent collection of paintings which is actively being developed through purchases, gifts, bequests and long-term loans. Some of the best-known works include The Rain it Raineth Every Day by Norman Garstin, School is Out by Elizabeth Forbes, Among the Missing by Walter Langley and On Paul Hill by Stanhope Forbes. Please note that although each exhibition includes selected works from our collection, there is no permanent display and the galleries are often closed between exhibitions: please check what is on the show before making a special journey. Founded in 1839, the museum collections cover 6000 years of history in west Cornwall, from Penwith’s awe-inspiring archaeological sites to the area’s more recent social history, plus computer access to photographs of west Cornwall from the 1860s to the 1960s. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/west-cornwall/penzance/penlee-house-gallery-and-museum

Trereife is a fine Manor House on the Outskirts of Newlyn and Penzance, Cornwall. The house and grounds offer the perfect facilities for a wedding or any type of event. We have staged Opera, Jazz and Theatre events. http://www.purelypenzance.co.uk/tourism/attractions/trereife_gardens.html

Stade Rennais F.C. and its stadium, Roazhon Park, are part of the Breton capital's heritage. If you are travelling to Rennes, why not attend a match to soak up the atmosphere and experience the bond between the fans and the boys in red and black. Since it was first opened on 13 October 1912, the former Parc des Sports has been well and truly transformed. Long known as the Stade de la Route de Lorient, it underwent a number of extensions in the 1950s and 1980s before its most recent renovation took place in 2004, which increased its capacity to almost 30,000. In fact, the stadium, which officially became “Roazhon Park” in 2015, has exactly 29,778 seats, all in the club’s iconic colours. Incidentally, this English-style stadium with its very Breton name also offers great acoustics…which goes without saying for this ‘city of rock’! https://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en/focus-on/roazhon-park

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens’ dramatic landscape, combined with large-scale exotic, sub-tropical planting, provides the backdrop to contemplative and inspiring art by internationally renowned artists. A major attraction near Penzance in West Cornwall, Tremenheere can be found in a beautiful sheltered valley, overlooking St Michael’s Mount, with woods and a stream, interwoven with an evolving programme of contemporary artwork. The creations of artists such as James Turrell, David Nash, Richard Long, Tim Shaw and Peter Randall-Page interact with the setting to create site-specific permanent work, which harmonises with the landscape. Within this breath-taking location, Tremenheere hosts its sculpture garden, gallery, shop, nursery and restaurant. Tremenheere is one of the most unique all-year-round gardens to visit in Cornwall. The very favoured microclimate of kindly winter temperatures and shelter from the wind allow exotic and half-hardy plants to flourish. The planting schemes are appropriate to the varying individual habitats, but carry a unifying theme of sculptural forms, textures and colours, which complement what nature has already provided. https://www.visitcornwall.com/attraction/tremenheere-sculpture-gardens

For those of you with a nose for gardening, this horticultural hotspot is home to walled gardens that are crammed with tender exotic plants from all over the globe and five sections of a productive kitchen garden. This historical garden was once residence to the Cornish Arundell family but was landscaped by Sir Rose Price of Penzance. Price planted conifers with elm, oak, ash and beech, as well as nine-walled gardens whose ramped beds remain a feature to this day. When the estate came into the hands of the Bolitho family, they built the present carriageway and developed the gardens with the help of their cousins, the Caerhays. Seeds sent back from plant-hunting missions were expertly hybridised by the head gardener, Alfred Creek, who was responsible for planting a stunning series of rhododendrons. Alongside the intriguing evidence of yesteryear, now you can follow a stream garden through the valley, which was planted later in the 1950s with skunk cabbage, meconopsis, primulas and other bog plants. Escape to the intimate tranquillity of this woodland garden, and from the rich collection of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, meander up to a terrace boasting beautiful views of Mount's Bay to The Lizard. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/penzance/trengwainton-garden

Paradise Park, situated in Hayle, was opened in 1973 as a tropical bird garden, the collection starting with owls, eagles, cranes, peacocks and parrots. http://www.purelypenzance.co.uk/tourism/attractions/paradisepark.html

Major architectural work of the seventeenth century, the Parliament of Brittany is now one of the few places in France where justice and tourism coexist with guided visits https://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en/focus-on/the-parliament-of-brittany

The village was made up of stone-walled homesteads known as 'courtyard houses', found only on the Land's End peninsula and the Isles of Scilly. The houses line a 'village street', and each had an open central courtyard surrounded by a number of thatched rooms. The people of Chysauster were farmers and archaeological investigations have revealed that cereal crops were grown in the fields surrounding the village. It is also highly likely that pigs and goats were kept by the settlers and the site is believed to have been occupied for around 100 years. The reason for their departure is not known but could have possibly have been due to a decrease in the population or the availability of fuel. Today visitors can walk around the village settlement to gain a sense of what the houses would have looked like and how the settlement was laid out. There are also the remains of an enigmatic 'fogou' underground passage - the purpose for this could have been as a ritual building, a hiding place or a cold store - what do you think it was used for? Set on a hillside, the site has stunning views across the countryside and out to the sea and is home to a fantastic range of flora, fauna and wildlife as well as some visiting birds enjoying the warm climate of the far west of Cornwall. https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/attractions/west-cornwall/lands-end/chysauster-ancient-village

All year round, you can discover and appreciate some iconic Breton animals at the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes. Many of these species, which are part of the region's living heritage, were saved from extinction by the Ecomusée and animal lovers. From the Coucou de Rennes or black Janzé chickens to the Pie Noire Breton cow, Breton horse, Chèvre des Fossés (ditch goat), West French White pig or Ouessant sheep, each animal has its own story to tell. https://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en/focus-on/breton-animals

A well known beach in the city of plymouth. https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/bantham-beach-p271883

Bovisand beach is a sheltered bay of yellow sand with cliffs either side. Located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is popular with locals and families. There is a large expanse of flat sand when the tide is out, ideal for ball games and warms the water with the incoming tide, and is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. On a good day, you can see across to Plymouth sound, and there are plenty of walks to enjoy along the coastline. The beach is situated on the South West Coast Path. Walk north walk to Plymouth (5 miles) or, a little further, walk south-east to the River Yealm passing other beautiful bays - Heybrook and Wembury. https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/bovisand-beach-p432713