Brittany, nature protected | Brittany tourism

Brittany, nature protected

There are places on earth where natural heritage is of exceptional value. And Brittany, with its astonishing biodiversity, its powerful landscapes including a peninsular rising from the sea, its kaleidoscope of unified habitats between land and water, is one of them! But this unique natural heritage is also fragile. This is why, at all levels, authorities are committed to its preservation. The areas, where natural habitats as well as fauna and flora are protected, are clearly identified. Brittany both reveals and protects itself by stopping the loss of biodiversity, by planning for the future, by guaranteeing sustainability over time through innovation and solidarity. Discover the region immersed in nature.

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Regional Natural Parks in Brittany

Are you familiar with the natural parks of Brittany? The Golfe du Morbihan, the marais de Brière, the territoire d’Armorique or the mer d’Iroise are all fragile nature...

Three “Grands sites de France” in Brittany

Breathtakingly beautify, famous and cherished: let us introduce you to the Grands Sites de France (France’s sites of major national interest); a label which is attributed by the Government to 19 places which are deeply committed to quality and sustainability whilst respecting their individual setting. In Brittany, three sites have been awarded this distinction: La Pointe du Raz (Raz peninsular), les dunes sauvages (wild dunes) between Gâvres and Quiberon and last but not least: Cap Fréhel and Cap d’Erquy which share the award. Want us to take you there?

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Pointe du Raz – Cap Sizun

Finistère means the end of the earth, and the name is very fitting here, with a procession of headlands and capes that brave the open sea. The highlights of this coastline are...

Gâvres-Quiberon, a ‘Grand Site de France’

As if moored beside the Atlantic, Gâvres-Quiberon is the largest bank of sand dunes in Brittany. A ‘Grand Site de France’, the label given to major tourist attractions, this...

The Cap d’Erquy and Cap Fréhel headlands

Pink sandstone cliffs and unspoilt beaches, pine forests, an emerald sea and character villages: escape to the Cap d’Erquy and Cap Fréhel headlands!

Natural reserves of Brittany

Natural reserves are true havens for biodiversity. They are actively involved in responsible resource management and are committed to acquiring a better scientific knowledge of ecosystems: they are schools of life so to speak. Supported all over France by national and local governments as well as by partners, you might even know the eldest of them all! Of course, it is the natural reserve of Sept-Iles which was created in Brittany as early as 1912, to protect the Atlantic puffin. Get to know those unique, rich but fragile habitats.

Family-friendly accommodation in Brittany

The cases are packed and ready for the hols but there’s not enough room left in the...

Excursions in the Brittany Marshes

The Brière Regional Natural Park, which stretches from Guérande’s city walls to...

Mine d’Or beach – Pénestin

Welcome to the charming seaside resort of Pénestin. With over a dozen fine sandy beaches on a 25-km coastline, the site has many assets, but above all, you’ll fall in love with...

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Rennes and Brittany’s historic gateways

Welcome to the capital! The capital of Brittany, that is. You’ll love the cheerful...

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Christmas illuminations in Brittany

From the end of November, Brittany lights up in anticipation of Christmas, with rows...

Quimperlé

The Isole and Ellé rivers come together under the stone arches to form the Laïta, a tidal river. Originally based around the quays, the town peacefully expanded by moving...

Brittany’s islands

Set sail for Brittany’s islands for a complete change of scenery. Out there on these...

Identify the cycle paths

The cycling routes in Brittany use different types of paths. They correspond to...

Ile aux Pies and the Nantes-Brest canal

The site is a geological curiosity with a chain of islands at the confluent of the Nantes-Brest and Oust canals. In the middle of Brittany, cliffs rise up that make the...

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Main cities and towns

Steeped in history but keeping up with the latest trends, Brittany’s large towns and...

Plan my holiday

Brexit travel guide

Now the UK has left the EU, some things have changed of course… Since 1 January 2021, travel to France is different for UK citizens, so it is important you plan early to...

Natural sites protected by the Conservatoire du littoral

Do you know that the coastal conservation authority (Conservatoire du littoral) looks after 750 coastal and lakeside sites in France out of which 130 can be found in Brittany? Its aim is to acquire and manage lands along the coastline to prevent them from being developed and built upon; thus ensuring that their cultural heritage is protected to. Thanks to the Conservatoire work, sites such as the Raz peninsular (la Pointe du Raz) and the Pink Granite Coast (la Côte de Granit rose) continue to be enjoyed freely by all of us.

Coastal conservation authority sites in Brittany (FR)

The “Natura 2000” in Brittany

Natura 2000 is the name of a preservation biodiversity programme put in place by the European Union. Land and marine sites are chosen because of their ecological richness; the idea being that they will form, in time, a network of natural spaces which will contribute to the protection of wildlife and their habitat for the benefit of their local communities. There are 83 “Natura 2000” sites in Brittany, out of which around 30 are dedicated to the protection of birds.

The “Natura 2000” in Brittany (FR)

A Unesco Biosphere reserve

Emanating from the United-States, UNESCO is renown, all over the world, for a certain number of protected areas, model sites with high ecological values, where protection of biodiversity and sustainable development cohabit. Those are referred to as biosphere reserves. They are some sorts of testing zones, where population survival can be studied over time. The aim is to demonstrate that man can harness biodiversity without destroying it. In Brittany, at the heart of the regional natural park of Armorique, three islands of the Mer d’Iroise (Iroise sea) are classed as biosphere reserves: Sein, Ouessant as well as Molène and its archipelago.