BRITTANY AND BORDERS HOTELS

BRITTANY – WHY GO?

Jutting out into the Atlantic ocean, Brittany's rugged coastline has that breezy, good-to-be-alive fresh-air tang. This is the place for uncrowded beaches, rocky islets and watersports.

Inland, it's a story of sleepy towns, atmospheric stone villages and pretty fishing harbours. Blink, and you might even think you were in Cornwall.

Breton culture is very distinct from the rest of France with a rich heritage of Arthurian legends and local folk tales. Tune into the Celtic vibe here – the Breton language still thrives, and you'll see women in traditional lace head-dresses at special events. 

Dinard and La Baule are stylish seaside resorts, Vannes boasts beautiful timbered houses, while Nantes – with its cobbled streets and Gothic cathedral – recently topped a poll for the city where most French people would like to live.

Another Brittany charmer is the medieval town of Rochefort-en-Terre, with its banks of flowers and half-timbered facades. Trawl for antiques in the backstreets, then climb to the top of the town to watch the sunset – calling into a little bar for a sundowner, of course.