Take an island-hopping trip around Brittany

From neolithic monuments to colourful harbours, there is much to discover

A high angle shot on houses of Brehat from the vantage point of the Saint Michel chapel.
(Image credit: Alamy / M@rcel)

The many islands off the coast of Brittany have some features in common: "undulant" green interiors, dramatic sea cliffs, and so on. But each also has its own distinct character, says Sean Thomas in The Telegraph, making an "island-hopping road trip" here a "multifarious" pleasure.

In summer, the climate along Brittany's southern shore is "reliably good", and the journeys between the islands are easy enough – none are far from the coast, and ferries are "plentiful". To begin your adventure, you could take the ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, or fly to Rennes, Brest or Nantes, then hire a car if you haven't brought one, and head to the Gulf of Morbihan.

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Where Belle Île is "winsome, idyllic and trendy", Ouessant (or Ushant, in English) is "burly, windswept and Wagnerian". The island marks the westernmost point of metropolitan France, and offers little to do beyond breezing about on an e-bike, visiting "empty beaches and eccentric cairns".

You might also visit Bréhat, the Glénan Islands, and Île de Batz, each of which has its own charms – but do not miss the Île de Sein. A tiny island that was home – at least in legend – to a tribe of druid priestesses, it has a "uniquely moody, spiritual ambience", and some cafés that do great kouign-amann, or Breton butter cake.

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