Finistere, France's most Northwest tip, is dominated by miles of rugged coastline, impressive towering cliffs, coves and tiny ports. Some of the more popular summer spots are the Crozon Peninsula and the Pointe de Raz. The infamous island of Ushant, the Ile d’Ouessant, lies out to the west and now forms part of the Armorique nature reserve. The boat trip takes approximately one hour, and once there, you can get around by bike or minibus. Solitude is never far away in the northern stretches beyond Brest or some of the lesser known fishing villages such as Le Conquet. The Parc Regional D’Armorique occupies much of central Finistere. Not far is Quimper and Pays Bigouden where crepes, cider, lace bonnets & Celtic song & dance is still part of everyday life.

Crozon is a superb base for exploring the peninsula of the same name - the views of the Atlantic from the high cliffs are dramatic. From Pointe des Espagnols in the north, Brest harbour can be seen. The church in the town has a fine wooden altarpiece consisting of 29 panels dating from the beginning of the 17th century.

Brest was a victim of its own success. A vast, natural harbour, its chief role is as an important naval base and it took a terrible pounding during the last war. The rebuilt city is not very attractive but some parts of old Brest still remain, such as the squares and streets overlooking the harbour, the 15th century castle and La Place Guérin, the haunt of local artists and poets and a welcoming place to eat in the evening. The new Océanopolis is well worth a visit – it is now more of a marine theme park than an aquarium. Markets are held all over the town during the week.

Le Conquet is a tiny fishing port which has retained its original charm and has good beaches such as Porzliogan and Blancs Sablons. The numerous lighthouses along the coast and on the island of Ouessant give a spectacular display at night.

Audierne is an active fishing port and provides good local seafood. The beaches are excellent with long stretches of fine sand and there are boat trips across to the Ile de Sein. This tiny island of bare trees and shrubs has only about 500 inhabitants mostly reliant on fishing. In 1940, 150 men left the island for London to join the Free French Forces under De Gaulle. This led to the island being awarded the Croix de la Libération. Stretching along the banks of the river Odet, Quimper is the ancient capital of la Cornouaille, the name given to this region by the ancient Celts who fled here from Cornwall. There are plenty of references to King Arthur and his knights too, as much part of folklore here as in Britain.

Around the cathedral in Quimper, with its distinctive twin spires, there is plenty to see. Work commenced on the Cathedral in 1239 and should not be missed. Next door is the Breton Museum, recently renovated, and the Musée des Beaux Arts is opposite. Quimper’s particular fame is its pottery: the H.B. Henriot workshops, now run by an American couple, can be visited (except at weekends) and there is, of course, a shop. Behind the workshops is the pottery museum, showing three and a half centuries of the art.

One of France’s largest fishing ports, Concarneau is also a popular resort. The view of the medieval walled town is one of the most photographed in Brittany and the tourist crowds flock in every summer. Vauban improved the fortifications against pirates and invaders, and despite the souvenir shops and bars, the town still gives a feeling of entering a time warp. The town has been a haven for artists led by the American Robert Wylie in the 1860s, spilling over into nearby Pont Aven where Gauguin set up his studio.

The fishing museum within the walls tells the history of the town and its importance as a fish-canning centre. Le Marinarium, open from April to September, exhibits the local flora and fauna. The walk around the bay and ramparts is the best way to see the town.

The early morning fish auction, la criée, is a great experience even if the daily business of selling the fish remains a mystery. In mid-August, the fishermen’s festival, La Fête des Filets Bleus, is one of the liveliest in Brittany with traditional music. There are boat trips out to the Iles des Glénan, a small archipelago, home to a famous sailing school and seabird sanctuaries.

Midway between Quimper and Lorient, Quimperlé is an attractive small town with pretty medieval streets and churches. Guided tours are available from the tourist office and take about two hours. Music festivals and concerts take place in July and August. The Fête de la Laïta in mid-August is a family occasion with canoe “battles” and 2CV races.

On the river Aulne, lies Châteaulin which attracts visitors wanting to explore the Crozon peninsula, the Armorique regional park and Menez Hom, a mountain in Breton terms. Probaby an extinct volcano, this “mountain” has panoramic views over the Brest Roads right up to the Pointe du Van and is a favourite peak for hang-gliders. There is plenty of car parking on the summit.

Carhaix Plouguer lies on the crossroads of several old Roman roads and remains one of the strongholds of Breton traditions – there is a language and culture centre in the town. The town’s most famous son, La Tour d’Auvergne, a soldier in Napoléon’s Grande Armée, was a respected scholar and wrote on the origins and grammar of Celtic languages, Breton in particular. His life is celebrated in the town on the last Sunday in June and his statue stands in the main square.

Morlaix, instantly recognisable by the towering, 19th century viaduct that spans the valley where the town lies is an estuary port. Morlaix prospered from piracy - or privateering, depending on whose side you were on – and was more notorious than St Malo.

Beer drinkers can quench their thirsts at the Brasserie des Deux Rivières where they make Coreff – a highly fermented bitter, very different to the usual French lager-style brew. The Festival les Arts dans la Rue takes place every Wednesday evening in the town centre from mid-July to mid-August with music, dancing and local gastronomy on the menu.

The port of Roscoff has seen quite a few celebrities in its time. Mary, Queen of Scots, arrived at the age of six to be engaged to the Dauphin; Bonnie Prince Charlie fled here after Culloden and, in 1828, Henri Olivier left for England with his strings of onions.

The seaside resort today has a fine waterfront and a good choice of beaches, the best being the sandy one at Laber. Around the church of Notre Dame de Croatz Batz, there are some fine old houses – including the one where Mary Stuart stayed. The botanical garden, with some lovely views over the Bay of Morlaix, is a short drive south of the town. Alternatively, a 15 minute boat ride will take you to the charming Ile de Batz, with its exotic gardens and impressive lighthouse.

Cornouaille is an extremely popular area with tourists not least because of its cultural identity, its historical sites, its coastline which is highly suitable for water sports, and its rich historical and artistic heritage. It also owes its reputation to the many festivals and shows which animate towns especially during the summer, in particular the old sailing ships at Douarnenez, the Festival de Cornouaille at Quimper, the Fête des Brodeuses at Pont L'Abbé, the Fête des Filets Bleus at Concarneau.

There is always plenty to see and do in Finistere

Ile d'Quessant - explore this rugged but beautiful island and discover the seals and birds. The two museums will shed light on the island's turbulent history.

Faience pottery in Quimper - visit the faience factory in Quimper, which has been producing hand-painted pottery since 1690. The festival of Cornouaille in late July is not to be missed.

Boat Trips - Port du Rosmeur is an authentic, picturesque port offering boat trips, cafes, seafood restaurants and a lively criée or fish market. >> Parc Naturel d'Armorique - walk, ride or cycle around this protected national park - a mixture of farmland, heaths & ancient oak forests.

Walk through the Bois d'Amour, 1 to 1 1/2 hours, about 4 miles. Walk along the footbridges that make up the Xavier Grall walk, then go to the left (follow the wooden sign) to walk up to the Bois d'Amour to get to footpath that runs under the viaduct.
This is where the walk along the banks of the Aven begins - on the wooded slopes in the Bois d'Amour. The walk ends with the alley of chestnut trees that leads you back to Pont-Aven. The walk can be made longer if you go by the Trémalo chapel. The Bois d'Amour is a sacred place filled with symbols; it was a gathering spot for the painters. This is where Paul Sérusier painted "Le Talisman" (1888) and Emile Bernard painted "Madeleine in the Bois d'Amour" (1888).

"This Bois d'Amour where all the painters in the Pont-Aven artists' colony liked to come, seduced by the calmness, the beauty of the big venerable trees, the richness of the reflections constantly disturbed by the current of the river as it threw itself against the large granite rocks, and by the clouds that changed the light as the wind blew..."
D. DELOUCHE, Ar Men,1986
"Maurice Denis et la leçon de Pont-Aven"

Xavier Grall Walk, starting from rue Emile Bernard.

This footpath runs beside the Aven, crosses the canal at the Moulin Poulhouars, which is no longer standing. The garden, built on an islet extended by a spillway, determines how the water is distributed to the different mills. The mill races are still in place. Old wash houses and stone stairs accessing the river can be seen all along the trail.

A granite stele with a bronze medallion pays homage to Xavier GRALL (1930 - 1981), a poet, journalist and writer from northern Finistère and the author of several texts about Brittany, including a compilation called "Rires et pleurs de l'Aven" (Laughter and Tears of the River Aven). Grall was very attached to his native land. He lived in Botzulan, a small hamlet near Pont-Aven. Before reaching the rue du Général de Gaulle, take a look at Poche-Menu, a chaos in the river (large rocks that are the result of erosion of granite stones).

Square Théodore BOTREL

A statue of Botrel was erected on this square in 1932 to pay homage to the playwright who created the first traditional festival in Brittany in 1905. Each year, on the first Sunday in August, the festival "renews its lucky days," helping Botrel's work in Pont-Aven live on. Botrel had two goals in mind when he created this festival: "glorify Brittany through her costumes, her songs and her dances, her ancestral customs" and "relieve the misery" by redistributing the positive effects of a festival to the land's poor.