With 1025 listed monuments, and 1847 registered as “historical monuments” (source DRAC Bretagne), Brittany is one of France's first regions as regards the wealth and density of its heritage. Lighthouses, manors, churches, houses, enclosures, chapels: the monuments under protection are extremely varied and characteristic. Less well-known are the 4000 castles scattered throughout  the peninsula, among which there are strongholds surrounded by ramparts (Dinan, Fougères, Saint Malo,...), residential castles and coastal defenses. Fort La Latte, built to bar the Norman's way, was originally a mere, small fort situated on the top of a headland overhanging the sea. 

During the Xth century, the so-called feudal mounds, wooden dungeons encircled by ditches and set on the top of artificial hillocks, are scattered all over Brittany. It's not until the end of the XIth century that real stone-built castles make their appearance. In the XIIth century, the strenghtening of ducal power leads to the construction of veritable strongholds, like the one in Fougères, supporting fortified towns. The coastal towns form a defensive belt against invaders, whilst the fortified towns in the rear discourage any thought of agression by the vassals. Nantes is the dukes' capital and hosts their main residence, a castle with eight towers. Their second home is situated at Suscinio, in  Morbihan. Although many feudal castles have been destroyed, some are still almost intact, and others have been  restored to a great extent.

Equally worth interest, the breton manors of the XVIth century present the original aspect to harmoniously combining Italien and Gothic style, known as “breton renaissance”. Certain private residences belonging to great breton families here and there in the countryside, have sheltered famous authors such as Chateaubriand who grew up in the castle of Combourg. If you would like to walk in the shoes of the Marquise de Sévigné for a week-end, don't wait any longer, come and spend a night in a breton castle!

A website concerning French castles: http://www.casteland.com
B&B in castles and private residences in the West: http://www.bienvenue-au-chateau.com