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Known as Brittany in English, the French region of Bretagne is characterised by picturesque landscapes, stunning coastlines, fine architecture and places of historic interest. Add to this the unique charm of Breton culture and the accessibility of the region and you can appreciate why it is such a popular holiday destination.
The port city of St Malo, famous for its walled perimeter, can be found in the Ille-et-Vilaine district and offers interesting sights such as the Cathedral of St Vincent and the Château of Saint-Malo, the latter famous for its nautical-themed museum. The tomb of French novelist Chateaubriand can also be found here on the Ile de Grand Bé.
The small town of Carnac on the south coast is famous for its ‘standing stones’, an extensive collection Neolithic menhirs that hail from the time of pre-Celtic settlements in the area. The 3,000 stones are believed to have been erected some time between 4500 BC and 2000 BC.
Nantes is home to a number of interesting sights including the magnificent Cathedral Saint-Peter Saint-Paul, also known as the Cathedral of Nantes, built in the Gothic style and taking a lengthy 457 years to complete. A number of interesting museums are also to be found in the city including the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-arts) and the Jule Verne Museum (Musée de Jule Verne), which is based in the former residence of the famous science-fiction novelist.
The city of Rennes is a centre of heritage and culture featuring such sights as the Parlement de Bretagne, Notre-Dame en Saint-Mélaine Church, 19th century Les Halles Martenot, La Place de la Mairie, Rennes Opera House, Saint-Pierre Cathedral and rue St George.
Brittany is famous for its fine cuisine which unsurprisingly on account of its proximity to the ocean, is based heavily around seafood. Popular dishes include moules mariniere, mussels, and plateau de fruits de mer, a platter featuring all manner of prepared fish and crustaceans – a must for seafood lovers.
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