Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
WESTERN FRANCE: THE HIGHLIGHTS
Thousands of years of history, authentic Gallic culture and cuisine, and kilometres of diverse landscapes to traverse
NORMANDY Mont-saint-michel
There’s no denying how striking Mont-saintmichel is, set on its own island surrounded by the dramatic tides of the bay. You’ll be following in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims when you explore its warren of streets that climb up to the abbey church, built over a period of some 1,300 years.
The D-day Landing Beaches
Pay a respectful visit to the beaches on which the British, American and Canadian troops landed in June 1944. The museums, cemeteries and memorials here tell of the true heroism of D-day, as well as the daring and meticulous plans that preceded it.
Giverny
See the waterlily-strewn ponds and Japanese bridge that inspired Claude Monet’s paintings at Giverny, where his garden still colourfully bursts into life each summer. Monet’s house, meanwhile, showcases the daily life of the Impressionist master, who was passionate about Japanese art and loved hosting friends in his brightly painted home.
Bayeux
This medieval Normandy town is best known as the home to the millennium-old tapestry that tells the story of William the Conqueror’s rise to the English throne. Also leave time to visit Bayeux’s Gothic Cathedral dating back to the 12th century, the grand 17th and 18th century townhouses, and the fine restaurants and cafés.
Rouen
Set on the banks of the Seine, the city of Rouen lures history-lovers. Its links to Joan of Arc are told through the multi-media experience Historial Jeanne d’arc, while Monet was so taken by the cathedral’s façade, he painted over 30 views of it. Seek out the Gros-horloge astronomic clock and admire the medieval architecture.
BRITTANY Saint-malo
Saint-malo’s old town is surrounded by ramparts: walk around the top of the walls before diving into the narrow, cobbled streets below for gourmet food stores, crêperies and cafés. Elsewhere, stroll along the sea front, and explore the many museums dedicated to the town’s seafaring heritage.
The Carnac Stones
Brittany’s answer to Stonehenge comprises nearly 3,000 aligned stones covering an area of over four kilometres, thought to have been erected some 6,000 years ago during the Neolithic-era. Join a guided tour and visit the on-site Maison des Mégalithes to deepen your understanding.
Pointe du Raz & the Cap Sizun
The Cap Sizun leads out to the Pointe du Raz, France’s westernmost point. Enjoy coastal walks across its heather and gorse-strewn headland, with the Atlantic crashing against the cliffs below. Explore the working fishing village of Audierne and take a trip out to the bijou Île du Sein.
Canal de Nantes à Brest
Relax on a boat trip along the Nantes to Brest canal, an over-360km waterway that cuts through inland Brittany and passes through a landscape dotted with castles, characterful towns and the Réserve Naturelle de Gomel. Alternatively, follow the smooth cycle paths, or even take to the water in a canoe.
Pink Granite Coast
The sea and wind has hewn the pink granite boulders along the coast near Perros-guirec into something of a natural sculpture park. Walk along the coastal path to admire them, stopping for picnics or paddles on the beaches. Better still, take a paddle board out to see them from the water.
ATLANTIC LOIRE VALLEY Le Croisic’s Coastline
Tucked in the corner under Brittany, on a peninsula that curls around the bay, the picturesque fishing port of Le Croisic is a good base. Across the water, Guérande is home to a centuries-old tradition of salt cultivation, and nearby La Baule offers a nine kilometre beach with elegant sea-facing Belle Epoque villas.
Pointe du Payré
With sweeping white sands beneath turquoise waters, Vendée’s estuary at Pointe du Payré and the Plage du Veillon are reminiscent of Australia’s Whitsundays. At this protected natural site, enjoy walks across the sand dunes and the craggy cliffs. Stop at the oyster-farming village of La Guittière to swig back the seafood.
Sainte-suzanne
Sainte-suzanne in the Mayenne department is regularly counted as one of France’s ‘Most beautiful villages’, and its hollyhocks and neat stone cottages makes it easy to see why. The village is surrounded by medieval ramparts and its chateau (which famously saw off William the Conqueror) is set on a promontory overlooking the Erve Valley.
Le Mans’ Historic Quarter
While Le Mans is best known for its car racing, the city’s Historic Quarter (also called the ‘Plantagenet City’ as it is the birthplace of the Plantagenet dynasty) is worth a lingering sojourn. Its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses were used in the celebrated 1990 film adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as many other movies.
Poitevin Marshlands
The Marais Poitevin is the second largest area of wetlands in France and its area of wet marshland is known as ‘Green Venice’. Hire a barge from one of the many jetties and punt along the waterways admiring wildlife including otters, herons and tree frogs.