Some of the oldest, most beautiful buildings in the world can be found in Europe and the UK, with an abundance in France, particularly the region of Brittany, in the north west.
Brittany shares geographical similarities to Devon, in the UK, with a coastline consisting of long sandy beaches, headlands and hidden coves, crashing Atlantic waves and quaint seaside villages; gorgeous countryside, cross crossed by rivers with undulating hills and deep valleys – another characteristic the two regions share are the quaint ‘chocolate box’ style thatched cottages, which leads us to the first property on the list.
1. La Garenne Gites, Morbihan, Southern Brittany
These enchanting gites could be some of the prettiest in Brittany, if not France! La Garenne is located alongside the river Blavet in a breathtaking location amongst the fields and woods in a beautiful valley.
La Garenne dates back to 1734 when it was a self-sufficient small hamlet and home to a farming family and the farm workers up until only relatively recently in the 1970s. The organic feel and attention to detail is a pleasure to behold.
There are four gites in total, each with its own character and peculiarities.
2. Wonky Old Buildings in Rennes, Brittany
These fantastically wonky timber buildings in Rennes ooze character.
These wonderful buildings lean one way and the next, defying time, still standing, or leaning, strong, all these hundreds of years later.
This is a testament to the skills and craftsmanship of the Breton builders of old, unlike more modern buildings, which can become dilapidated after only a few decades or so.
3. Château de La Roche Jagu, Ploëzal, Brittany
This grand, sombre-looking building may not ooze quaint charm like some of the other buildings listed here but is no less intriguing.
Château de La Roche Jagu is located in Ploëzal and was built in the 15th century. It is, again, a testament to the quality craftsmanship, standing strong and fully functional to this day.
This wonderful Château is maintained and run by the local council and the building and gardens are open to the public for events and concerts.
4. Château de Trévarez, Finistère, Brittany
Many châteaus look like Disney film sets, larger than life, and Château de Trévarez, in Finistère, is no different.
This gothic-inspired building was built in the late 1800s, so is not as old as some of the other buildings listed here, but no less enchanting.
This château-like castle is lovingly maintained and serves the area as a museum, enabling all the opportunity to see and experience this amazing building.
When this was built, it was technically advanced compared to other buildings, including electricity and running water and central heating, which, in those times, were considered luxuries.
5. Dinan, North West Brittany
This pretty street is located in Dinan, Brittany, in the north west. What a pleasure to wander these old, cobbled streets, with the buildings built of local stone with some areas dating back to the 11th century.
At times, away from the modern areas and the traffic, one can experience how it may have been hundreds of years ago, with the hustle and bustle of daily life, horses and carts, but without having to dodge and avoid the contents of emptied privy pails!
It is encouraging to see the continued appreciation of these beautiful Breton streets and ally ways, with pretty flowers and lovingly maintained architectural elements including the delightfully clean stonework.
Final Thoughts
This is just a small selection of the beautiful buildings, streets and areas located throughout Brittany; it is literally brimming with history, quaint buildings, pretty countryside, dramatic coastlines, large rivers and all sorts of wonders to marvel at. Such an interesting place to explore and transport yourself back in time. The Breton builders of old sure knew how to make buildings that last!
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲