Is it Brittany or la Côte d’Azur?

My wife loves the Brittany coast in France while I prefer the Riviera (Côte d’Azur). That’s okay, we have managed to take in both a few times. She likes the Brittany beaches, they are less crowded than those in Nice or Cannes. I must admit that Brittany is a cool place, in more ways than one. It is always quite cool and the wind blows daily all along the Atlantic Coast. La Bretagne as it’s called in French always has plenty for senior travelers to see and do and is full of historical villages.

Breton Culture Overflows

The many small villages are made up of narrow streets and most all the buildings are grey granite stone and a black slate roof. Brittany is a land rich in tradition, culture and history that features more than 4,000 chateaux, manors and medieval homes. Brittany is an ideal destination for lovers of fine cuisine and seafood, and for anyone fascinated by legends and history like my wife and me.

There are tons of old stones in Brittany, in many forms, and they are heavily covered with lichens from past medieval times. The most famous are at Carnac. The link above has a picture of a Carnac stone with a link under it that provides pictures and fascinating information.

Seniors Awed by the Atlantic Coastline

Brittany boasts a staggering 1,700 miles of coastline, one of the principal draws for senior tourists. Fishing is big as is farming. Senior visitors will find many artichoke farms. The flag of Brittany flies everywhere with its black ermine tails and black and white stripes.

The  official site for Brittany Tourism suggests many things to see and to do and will help senior visitors get to know the region well. The most popular destinations include Quimper, Dinan, Vannes (spent a full week there with students), Brest and Rennes (the capital). Moi, I love them all, especially Quimper.

Frequently you will find older women wearing the traditional towering celtic headdress; lighthouses dot the coastline; many older folks speak Breton, a Celtic language of Welsh and Cornish ancestry. You might just hear bagpipes and see creperies on most every main street in the towns.

Here’s a gallery of photos that features some of the most visited sites. Senior citizens, you can’t go wrong in Brittany. Rent a car and just take off down any road as long as you are heading west. That’s where you will find the real behind-the-scenes culture. Stop in and eat where the locals eat and see what they are eating. Order the same and don’t forget to drink the apple cider.

Order “une galette”, a savory crepe, usually made of buckwheat and “un bol de cidre pressé”, generally served in traditional ceramic bowls. Brittany is a win, win destination.  Enjoy it all. jeb