Welcome to Finistère
If you have decided to visit this department, you should know that you are in an area known as The End of the Earth. A name that suits this region perfectly if we look at its shape, the ends of which seem to be suspended over the Atlantic.
It is located in the Brittany region, and it also borders with by the English Channel, one of the stops worth making during on your trip. Its beaches, cliffs and the combination of inland and coastal landscapes make Finistère a perfect destination for a few days in France.
Whether you like nature or you prefer to enjoy culture, here you will find a wide variety of points of interest that will make you enjoy your stay in the department to the full, providing you with a very complete rural tourism experience.
What to see in Finistère?
A corner in the western end of Brittany where you can enjoy the best views in its coastal area, full of rugged landscapes, with cliffs and beaches where you can enjoy tranquillity. Don't forget your camera because there won't be a place you don't want to immortalize.
If you like nature, here you will be able to enjoy it to the maximum in its different islands as it is the case of the Tristan Island, a relatively unknown spot and, therefore, one that still maintains its charm a well-kept secret. Visit it and enjoy the tranquillity on board of an electric boat that will allow you to know part of its heritage in a unique experience.
For those who are looking for something more city-like, there is nothing like discovering its capital, Quimper, and learning about its medieval history and heritage, such as Saint Corentin Cathedral, where its striking Gothic style will captivate you. Another of the must visits in the department is the city of Brest, where you can still breathe in its medieval essence in the castle. This city, by the way, is twinned with Cadiz and La Coruña, two Spanish cities.
Finally, you can't miss its gastronomy, which will put the finishing touch to your getaway in Finistère.
What curiosities are there?
Welcome to the End of the Earth! Although this name may seem a little scary at first, it is simply the result of its rugged coastline, its cliffs, and its Atlantic Ocean beaches that will let you enjoy the tranquillity of this region, one with the most special views in all of France.
You will be able to do a lot of activities, and get to know in depth the first maritime department of the country, which also has, due to its geography, a great number of harbours with their own history and different utilities. Among those you cannot miss are Concarneau, Douarnenez and Brest.
If you want to enjoy nature, visit the Névet forest, an impressive extension of natural terrain perfect for doing a lot of activities for everyone. But if you prefer something more exclusive, there are several islands you can reach by boat, such as Vierge, where its lighthouse is the main attraction, or Tristan.
On the other hand, there are cities and places of interest you cannot miss: Quimper, its capital, is waiting for you with a lot of places to visit, as well as Brest and Morlaix.
Book online your ideal rural house in Finistère
Where can you sleep?
There are many places where you can relax, and many accommodations that this department offers, of different types and for all tastes, which will allow you to discover new and surprising places on your way, as well as providing you a perfect place to stay.
You can start in Quimper, where you can find the most varied offer as it is the capital, and where you can also visit the remains of the ancient Roman city that occupied the place that the city has now. There, you will be able to see different medieval fortifications.
Brest can be another good destination to learn more about the Second World War through the different bunkers that there are. Of course, its castle is one of the most interesting spots, as well as the port.
For lovers of silence and tranquillity there are also options in Île de Batz, which you can reach by ferry, and where you can stay in a hotel or flat that will grant you some spectacular views.
What to do in the area?
The countless things that can be done in this department will complete a very pleasant rural touristic experience.
If you like learning about historical and religious heritage, you have the opportunity to visit some religious buildings that you will only find in Brittany. The church of Notre-Dame de Lampaul-Guimiliau is one of them and it is also considered a French Historical Monument.
About 20 kilometres away, we recommend you visit the island of Ouessant, very quiet, with just over 1,000 inhabitants and one of the islands that form the Illes du Ponent. No doubt a visit you can't miss, just like the one to the Huelgoat forest, perfect for a visit with children where they will discover a lot of corners with magic and legends.
Finally, we encourage you to visit the oldest city in Brittany, Quimper, which also has a lively street life, full of shops and cafes, and an imposing cathedral built in the Gothic style. But if you want to visit the biggest city of this department, Brest has a lot of charm and its harbour, which was a naval base during the Second World War, is one of the most popular visits in this city. However, you will understand its maritime essence better at the Musée de la Marine.
What typical foods are recommended?
Finistère's gastronomy is completely fish-based and elaborated with seasonal products, which results in recipes with a lot of flavour that you can't miss.
Due to the location of this department and the large number of fishing harbours it has, this is a region with a marked seafaring identity, so it is no wonder that two of the main products in its kitchens are fish and seafood.
Enjoy tasting the famous fruits de mer in front of the Atlantic or in front of the river, or even, in some of the restaurants of the harbour. These exquisite delicacies in the form of lobsters, prawns, cuttlefish, or mussels will whet your appetite.
But not everything here will be about enjoying the sea. From the land, there are also many products with the characteristic flavour of the area and, depending on the season, you can try some delicious artichokes, or have strawberries for dessert and sweeten them a little with some homemade honey, also traditional from this area. Oh, and don't forget to order a nice glass of cider.
Where are the festivities?
The well-preserved status of the local identity is something that is very important in Finistère, and that is why the customs of the century-old cultures are shown in many occasions, where you can enjoy songs in the original language, dances and traditions in their different festivities.
They are held throughout the year in different cities and towns, so no matter when you travel, you will have an event to attend.
We highlight the Cournauille Festival, which is held in the city of Quimper every year in summer, during the month of July. It is a celebration that aims to showcase the Breton culture to all the assistants, showing its cultural and traditional richness.
On the same month and held in Carhaix, you will find one of the festivals that attracts more young rockers, with more than 240,000 attendees. It is the festival Les Vieilles Charrues.
Finally, another of the best known events is the Atlantic Jazz Festival, which is held in October in another of the most important cities of Finistère, Brest, where you will be able to enjoy this music style for a few days.
