Make a holiday villa, gite or cottage in Finistere, Brittany, France your home away from home

Finistere is the most westerly department of France, and is located in the Brittany region, strutting out into the Atlantic. Finistere has 750 miles of coastline to enjoy with thousands of inlets, bays and islands. Finistere means ‘land’s end’ in Breton, and can be considered the French equivalent of Land’s End across the Channel.

Places to holiday in Finistere, France

The largest settlement in Finistere is the city of Brest. Destroyed almost entirely during the raids of WW II, Brest had to be largely re-build. However, some of the original city remains, including the 15th Century Castle and La Place Guerin, haunt of many poets, musicians and writers.

A holiday to a Finistere holiday rental cottage or gite would not be complete without a boat trip to the famous Ile d’Ouessant. The island makes up part of the Armorique Nature Reserve, and is a fantastic trip for cyclists and nature lovers.

There are many great towns and villages in Finistre where ancient stones, historic architecture and magnificent Finistere villas can be seen, including the destinations of Audierne, Quimper and Crozon.

Things to do on holiday in Finistere, France

There are a range of festivals in Finistere, celebrating all aspects of Breton culture, which has its stronghold here in Finistere. The Festival de Cornouaille and Festival des Vieilles Charrues attract thousands of international and local visitors each year.

If you are thinking of taking a holiday villa in Finistere for a family holiday, there is plenty to entertain children. The huge marine park of Oceanopolis in Brest is a big attraction in the area. The Branfere wildlife park, Parc du Golfe, Planete Sauvage, Parc de Prehistoire and the excellent paint-balling facilities will certainly capture the imagination.

Many of the sporting facilities focus on the sea. A holiday rental or cottage in Finistere allows sailing, surfing, rowing, canoeing, and sand yachting, especially around the fabulous Gulf of Morbihan. Walking and cycling through palm groves, cliff tops or inland to the medieval, mythical forest of Merlin the Magician.

Finistere is a historical part of France, with special attention given to WW II and King Arthur and his knights. There is a huge wealth of chateaus, medieval towns, museums, ancient megaliths and Finistere barns here, which can easily be explored from a Finistere holiday cottage.

Weather in Finistere, France

Finistere has a mild climate. Summers are dry and cool, ideal for walking, cycling and generally relaxing in the laid back atmosphere. Winters are cold, with average temperatures getting down to around 5°C.

Travel to Finistere, France

Ryanair and Flybe offer cheap flights to Finistere, landing in Brest (BES). Flights leave from Luton (LTN), Birmingham (BHX), Exeter (EXT), Southampton (SOU) and Edinburgh (EDI). A holiday cottage in Finistere is very easy to get to from the UK, and all of the Finistere gites, barns, villas and cottages are within two hours drive from the ports of Caen, Cherbourg, Roscoff and St Malo. Condor Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries all supply travel to Finistere.