Holidays & Property in Brittany

Brittany is one of the 22 regions if France. It is a large peninsula, so its borders are mainly coastline, bordered by the English Channel to the North and the Atlantic to the West and South. These coastal areas are very popular for holidays, making it the second most popular holiday destination in France (second only to the Mediterranean). The natural attractions include long sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, an abundance of wildlife (including a number of rare birds) and attractive landscapes. This is complimented by excellent holiday facilities for visitors, including many seaside sports.

Inland there is a diversity of landscapes, from large pine forests to lush valleys and farmland. The mild climate, combined with regular rainfall, has made this part of France very green. There are a number of attractive old towns, with interesting architecture to be enjoyed. Cycling is one of the more popular sports in this area, supported by a good network of cycling trails.

In addition to being a popular holiday destination, it is also a popular destination for people buying property in France, either as holiday homes or permanent homes. This is particularly so with British buyers, due to Brittany being very close to the UK (making commuting easy) and also due to the close cultural and historical links between Brittany and England. The coastal areas tend to be relatively expensive due to the high demand for seaside and beach property, but prices drop rapidly as one moves inland (source: FPSI French Property).

The climate is mild and moderately wet, due to Brittany being largely surrounded by water. The advantage of this is that it avoids the temperature extremes that one finds in the West of France (cold winters and hot summers) and in the South of France (very hot summers). The disadvantage is that ‘sun worshipers’ will find that it has too many cloudy or wet days.

If you are thinking of buying property in Brittany, the first decision is where to locate. Coastal areas have more facilities of all types, including recrea?tional attractions. Inland is much less expensive, more relaxed, and relatively free from the summer tourist rush. Another key decision is the type of house. In addition to new houses based on modern materials and construction, there is a good supply of traditional houses. Traditional houses are typically stone (usually granite) and often feature slate roofs. In the countryside, a common style is the longère, which is a house that in long rather than square in shape (thus being known as a long-house). These houses were often originally farmhouses, combining living area and stables, but in most cases the stables have now been renovated into living space.

Due to its popularity with the British, many areas of Brittany have a moderate number of English speakers, including English-speaking tradesmen who can provide renovation and building services (source: Directory France & French Property). This is a distinct advantage over some parts of France, where daily activities can be difficult if one is not moderately fluent in French.