Finistère

France's westernmost département, Finistère (www.finisterebrittany.com) has a wind-whipped rocky beach and cove-strewn coastline dotted with lighthouses and beacons lashed by the waves. Wild and mysterious, Finistère is, for many travellers, the most enticing edge of an already enticing region.

The etymology of the name Finistère literally emerges from 'end of the earth' (the Latin Finis Terræ) – an extremely apt name for this domain, especially as one approaches the raw shore which is redolent of the west coast of Ireland. Swaths of this beautiful land are preserved in the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique (www.pnr-armorique.fr).

Finistère's southern extent, called Cornouaille, takes its name from early Celts who sailed from Cornwall and other parts of Britain to settle here, and today it is a centre of Breton language, customs and culture.

Explore Finistère

0

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Finistère.

  • Historic Site

    Ville Close (Walled City)

    This special walled town, fortified in the 14th century and modified by the architect Vauban two centuries later, sits on a small island linked to place…

  • Archaeological Site

    Cairn of Barnenez

    This enormous ancient series of hilltop tombs is set spectacularly overlooking the Bay of Morlaix, on the edge of the modern-day village of Plouezoc'h,…

  • Church

    Église St-Ronan

    At the core of Locronan, this beautiful and very sacred church dates from the 15th century. It contains the tomb of St Ronan, as well as a green wooden…

  • Natural Feature

    Pointe de Pen-Hir

    Three kilometres southwest of Camaret, this spectacular and sublime headland is bounded by steep, sheer sea cliffs. On a peninsula known for its…

  • Church

    Église Notre Dame de Kroaz-Batz

    With its spectacular Renaissance belfry rising above the flat landscape, the most arresting sight in Roscoff is this unique church at the heart of the old…

  • Museum

    Musée Départemental Breton

    Beside the Cathédrale St-Corentin, recessed behind a magnificent stone courtyard, this superb museum over several floors showcases Breton history,…

  • Viewpoint

    Pointe du Raz

    Few places in France can match Pointe du Raz for its coastal splendour: on every side gorse-cloaked cliffs plummet to the waves 70m below, gulls trace…

  • Natural Feature

    Cap de la Chèvre

    The peninsula's most southerly point, Cap de la Chèvre is 8km south of Morgat, and offers stupendous panoramas of the Baie de Douarnenez and the Pointe du…

  • Island

    Île Molène

    Scarcely 1km across, Île Molène feels even more remote than its neighbour Île d'Ouessant. It's carless, virtually treeless, home to a declining population…

  • Farm

    Ferme Apicole de Térénez

    This intriguing place, 8km west of Le Faou on the D791, is abuzz with live bees that you can view in its honey museum. Depending on the season, you might…

  • Church

    Cathédrale St-Corentin

    At the centre of the city rises Quimper's dramatic Gothic cathedral, with its distinctive dip in the middle where it was built to conform to the land. It…

  • Aquarium

    Océanopolis

    If you've kids in tow, bring them here. Much more than just an aquarium, this enormous 'aquatic world' is divided into three pavilions containing polar,…

  • Lighthouse

    Musée des Phares et des Balises

    The black-and-white-striped Phare de Créac'h is one of the world's most powerful lighthouses. Beaming two white flashes every 10 seconds and visible for…

  • Museum

    Musée de la Marine

    Get to grips with Brest's maritime military history and briny past at this museum housed within the fortified 13th-century Château de Brest, built to…

  • Fortress

    Château du Taureau

    Sail out to this amazing petite prison-fortress constructed in the 16th century by Vauban, on a small islet in the Bay of Morlaix. Most departures are…

  • Museum

    Écomusée d'Ouessant

    Two traditional local houses make up this small but rewarding ecomuseum. One re-creates a traditional homestead, furnished like a ship's cabin, with…

  • Museum

    Musée de l'Ancienne Abbaye

    The village is home to the ruined Benedictine Abbaye St-Guenolé (only the foundations remain). The abbey museum records the history of the settlement,…

  • Brewery

    Maison du Cidre de Bretagne

    This farm and working cider factory produces cider, apple juice and vinegar. A visit takes you from the orchard to production and, of course, you get a…

  • Museum

    Musée de la Pêche

    This excellent museum, just inside the main western gate of the Ville Close, delves into Concarneau's seafaring traditions using everything from archive…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Finistère.

  • Activities