The BretonDiary Bookshop
The books that are listed in the BretonDiary bookshop have been specially selected to be of maximum interest to people living in or intending to spend a holiday in this beautiful part of France.
You can either scroll through the entire list or click on one of the links below to go straight to the section that interests you.....
• Travel Guides
• Phrasebooks
• Eating Out
• Maps
• Fiction
• History of Brittany
• Learning French
• Countryside
If you would like to recommend a book to be added to this list, please feel free to contact me with the details (at keith@bretondiary.com). Please make sure to let me know your website (if you have one), so that I can link back to you.
Travel Guides
 | The Rough Guide to Brittany & Normandy is your essential handbook to two of France’s most enduringly popular areas. The full-colour section showcases the highlights from both regions, from Carnac megaliths to Camembert Cheese. For every town and village, there are comprehensive and opinionated reviews of all the best hotels, restaurants and cafés, whatever your budget. There is plenty of practical advice on a host of activities including boat trips along Brittany’s Nantes-Brest canal and cycling the backroads. The guide also includes a unique chapter on Breton music and language and comes complete with maps and plans for every area. The Rough Guide to Brittany & Normandy is like having a local friend plan your trip! For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Brittany, a place rich in culture and festivals, abounding in natural beauty and stunning beaches, and teeming with outdoor activities, is best presented in Green Guide Brittany. Find out where to go horseback riding, sailing, diving, rambling, and much more with this informative guide. Whether you re after a secluded rural bed and breakfast or a luxury urban hotel, Green Guide Brittany can help you decide. Use the famous Michelin star-rating system, its dedicated driving and walking tour routes, and its numerous detailed maps to plan your journey through Brittany. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Containing activities and trips for travelling with children, this text presents detailed advice for exploring Brittany and Normandy by bike or by car. It reviews the best places to sample the freshest Breton seafood and the creamiest Norman cuisine. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This guide to Brittany and Normandy, now in its 8th edition, contains a full colour introduction section that includes pre-trip information and a colour photograph section of the region's highlights from Monet's garden at Giverny to the Bayeux tapestry. For every part of this region there are reviews of the best places to stay, eat and drink for all budgets. The guide also provides carefully researched articles on the region's history, music, festivals and cuisine. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Not for nothing is this book sub-titled a practical guide.... telling you how much attractions cost, and at what age they consider a "child" has become an "adult" (anywhere between 4 and 26!) - so that you know what you'll be paying before you get to the ticket window.... giving opening times (closing for lunch and on Monday is common in France.) There are background essays on subjects such as driving, cycling, language and history to make your visit even more memorable. Full colour photographs are used throughout For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | With everything you need for a memorable holiday, "The Essential Spiral Brittany" is a definite 'must-have'. The guide is split into colour-coded sections, including The Essence of..., Planning, Best Places to See, Best Things to Do and Exploring. There is helpful advice for planning your trip with information about when to go, getting there, being there and getting around. The Exploring section divides Brittany into colour-coded regions in accordance with the locator map on the cover flap. Hotels, restaurants, nightlife and places of interest are grouped within each region, with grid references and cross-referencing to ensure that it is easy to find what you are looking for in each area. Entries within the guide have been researched by experts and there are website addresses and practical information throughout. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Planning a family holiday can be a nightmare. Which restaurants will cook "off the menu" to please small, fussy appetites? Which beaches have clean toilets and safe bathing? Does the campsite have a supervised toddlers pool? This is exactly the kind of specific information Frommer's With Your Family guides provide. Packed with essential "on the ground" advice on planning a holiday to please every member of the family. Each listed destination, activity and accommodation has been visited and tested - and only truly family friendly entries are featured. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | People experience their holidays by visiting a particular part of a city or region of a country. The chapters in "KeyGuide Brittany" are ordered in a regional way, with all the sights, walks, drives and listings for that area in one section to reflect this trend in travelling. The guide is colour-coded throughout with coloured dividers separating each section. There are expert recommendations for where to eat, stay, shop and be entertained, great walks and drives and beautiful photography throughout. In addition, there is a super-clear atlas of Brittany with index and locations pinpointed. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Bumping About Brittany is a guidebook with a difference, a series of excursions into the cultural, physical and emotional heartland of Brittany that can be followed up on the ground or simply consumed in the comfort of your own home as a good read. Taken together, the twenty-five essays of which the book is composed, amount to a portrait of the region, of its history, it's landscape, its people, and the way they relate to one another and France as a whole. It is an introduction for visitors and new residents to the Brittany most tourists never see, not simply a litany of classic tourist attractions, but a celebration of the happenstance of travel, the chance encounters and oddities that crop up when we're wandering around, not quite aimlessly, but ready to enjoy whatever we find, even if it wasn't precisely what we were looking for in the first place. If you want to know where the theme parks are, you'll probably be disappointed. But if you want to know what the Bretons think of France and vice-versa, if you want to know how to climb an imaginary mountain, if you want to know why the slippers look a little peculiar, if you want to know what city invented International Non-Diet Day, how to be rude to a Parisian, where to search for little green men, which shellfish should go on the sex offenders register, why the pope provoked a scandal, who brews the best beer, where the President buys his cider, how to find the way to hell and back, the approved technique for nicking a garden gnome, and the correct word for suggesting something is a lot of old cobblers, then this might be the book for you. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Fully revised and updated, "Explorer Brittany" sports a vibrant new cover design, giving it a fresh and modern feel. Written and researched by top travel authors, with clear maps and practical travel advice, it is the perfect companion for travelling around Brittany. Cultural lifestyle features compliment practical travel information to capture its essence, local life and people. Expert advice is provided on the best places to visit, with information and practical travel facts, such as recommended hotels and restaurants. The guide also features an extensive A-Z section of places to visit with ratings, so that you can choose which sights to see. There are town plans and maps throughout. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Contains useful information about local communities and a wealth of services including accommodation, doctors and hospitals, English-speaking schools, public transport, banks, shops, communications, essentials services and telephone numbers, shops, leisure facilities, restaurants and much, much more. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This regional Pudlo is a guide to the best hotels, restaurants, cafes, and food shops in more than 150 cities, towns, and villages in the beautiful French provinces of Normandy and Brittany. Normandy is the site of the D-Day landing beaches, museum, and memorials. The dedication of the Normandy Cemetery Visitor Center ensures its continued popularity. The area is also home to Mont-Saint-Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Giverny (the home of Claude Monet. Brittany, next door, offers 800 miles of grand rocky coastline, fishing villages, and prehistoric menhirs. Gilles Pudlowski's guide profiles hundreds of hotels and restaurants serving the fish, shellfish, duck, and famous cheeses for which this region is known, as well as its most charming cafes and typically Breton creperies. In addition, specialty gourmet stores that offer the bounty of these gastronomic provinces are listed for each town. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Including Mont St-Michel (even though it's in Normandy), this guide gives you the lowdown on local cuisine - from crepes bretonne to homard a l'amoricaine - shopping, the art and architecture of local churches and outdoor activities from sea-water spas to kayaking. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Phrasebooks and Dictionaries
 | With stunning new design and layout and the most up-to-date travel information, the market's most indispensable phrasebook has been reinvented, and is better than ever. Gem French will give you the right word at the right time - every time. In all of the most common travel situations, you need the reassurance that you can communicate with ease. A reliable, portable and easy-to-use phrasebook is a travel essential, and now with the completely re-designed Collins Gem French, the right word will always be at your fingertips. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Acclaimed by language professionals the world over, the Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary leads the field. The dictionary is based on the statistical evidence of vast electronic databanks of real language, both written and spoken, making it the most comprehensive, reliable, and up-to-date dictionary of French and English available today. And now, it has even better coverage of the language, with improved treatment of acronyms and EU terminology, as well as thousands of new words in both English and French. The dictionary is a must for any serious student of the French language. It is tailored to the needs of the market in consultation with key academic advisors. This edition contains even more useful information for the language student abroad - sample bills and rent agreements help you orientate yourself in a new culture. Alternatively, it is an essential reference tool for the shelves of a second home. It is the most up-to-date and complete French dictionary of its size. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Travelers to France will find help in this book to get past the slang barrier. Approximately 4500 common French slang words and colloquial expressions are given with grammatical information, the definition in English and a sentence to illustrate the use. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Food and Restaurants
 | Aspect Guides, the new travel imprint of Peter Collin Publishing, will be launching new editions of the highly regarded French Entree series in January 2002. Fully revised and updated, the new edition of Brittany is an indispensable companion for travellers to the restaurants, hotels and sights of this area, each one personally visited by the author. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Lovely views of France and French markets. The food, as always, looks mouth-watering, and the emphasis on simple dishes is first rate. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Maps
 | Fully updated, this map combines clear design and an easy-to-read scale with more road detail to ensure that you never lose your way. It includes information on toll points, service areas, road numbers, motorways, dual carriageways and wide and narrow local roads. National Parks, ski resorts, visitor attractions and towns and places of interest are also highlighted. The map is presented in a practical slimline format, with a durable weatherproof cover for protection from the elements. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | With expert mapping from the AA and Institut Geographique National (IGN), this giant scale, large format A3 atlas is very easy to read, with more than 1,000 static speed camera locations pinpointed on the mapping. Fully revised and updated for 2009, this specialist road atlas designed for the British motorist in France includes 41 city, town and port plans and a new style central Paris city plan. The coverage includes road mapping for Corsica plus there is a channel hopping guide, channel tunnel terminal and channel tunnel port plans. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Brittany is one of the most popular regions of France, with highlights including Mont-St-Michel and the medieval city of Rennes. The Rough Guide map is ideal for those touring by car - a popular option amongst visitors from the UK and Ireland. The map includes all the ferry routes into St Malo, and all the roads across the region from autoroutes to tracks. There are also footpaths and contour lines for those hiking around the national parks and coastlines. As with all the maps in the Rough Guides series, this map is made of rip-proof, waterproof Polyart paper, durable enough to survive a trip spent in the car seat-back, rucksack, and cafe table-top. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This updated cartography now features grid references in the margin to aid quicker orientation. Additional colour changes to the mapping make transport networks clearer than before. With a scale of 1:300 Thousand and a legend in 8 languages, this is a comprehensive and indispensible road map. Tourist information, places of interest and a street index are all featured. information is provided on hotels, restaurants, museums, theatres, parks and gardens, with tourist attractions clearly indicated and public transport systems marked. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Fiction
 | Memoirs of a Breton Peasant is drawn from Deguignet's voluminous notebooks, written from 1897 to 1904, recently discovered in a grandniece's cupboard in Brittany. Deguignet is unique not only for being a literate peasant, but also for his scepticism regarding the church, his interest in science and languages, and for his keen observations of the world and people around him. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This is an all new version of the popular PARALLEL TEXT series, containing eight pieces of contemporary fiction in the original French and in English translation. Including stories by Bolanger, Cotnoir, Le Clezio and Germain, this volume gives a fascinating insight into French culture and literature as well as providing an invaluable educational tool.
For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This isn't just a book... it's very hard to describe.. It's a phenomenon. The story spans all generations - while the colourful characters may superficially please the younger audience, the timeless imagery, symbolism and observations of humanity can teach all but the most obtuse. Having said that, there are people who just don't 'get' this book. They want to know why such and such happens, or what the point of this bit was - if you ask the question, you're just not the sort of person who will ever appreciate this story. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | The Sunday Times - It seems we are looking for a new prophet. It could be that White is the very man The Scotsman - An intellectual nomad of genius For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
History
 | Presents a concise, illustrated guide to the history of Brittany for the general reader. This book explains the subject through the presentation of people and places that coloured the history of this region, since Neolithic times. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Illuminating, engrossing and full of surprises, "The Discovery of France" is a literary exploration of a country few will recognize; from maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it's a book that reveals the 'real' past of France to tell the whole story - and history - of this remarkable nation. 'With gloriously apposite facts and an abundance of quirky anecdotes and thumbnail sketches of people, places and customs, Robb, on brilliant form, takes us on a stunning journey through the historical landscape of France' - "Independent". 'Certain books strain the patience of those close to you. How many times can you demand: 'Look at this! Can you imagine? Did you know that?' without actually handing over the volume? This is such a book' - "Mail on Sunday". 'An extraordinary journey of discovery that will delight even the most indolent armchair traveller' - "Daily Telegraph". For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Based on a solid foundation of archival research that ranges from tax rolls to notarial records, this study adds an important chapter to our understanding of women in pre-industrial Europe. Through a rigorous examination of primary documents peculiar to eighteenth-century Brittany, the author demonstrates the difficulties engendered in broad generalities about European women, and makes a strong case for the necessity for historians to account for regional differences in women's experiences. In particular, Nancy Locklin makes a compelling argument for the need to incorporate a broader basis upon which women attained their identity. Indeed, Locklin rightly contends that most women in pre-industrial European societies were recognized (and perhaps saw themselves) through a variety of identities over the course of their lives, depending on their age, familial connections, marital status, and the type of work they performed, and that often these identities overlapped. Locklin also shows the extent to which legal and ideological prescriptions painted a relatively negative picture of women's status, but that a close examination of women's participation in family, community, and commercial affairs reveals a much more complex and divergent reality. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Prior to its incorporation into France in 1532, the Breton Dukes maintained Brittany's independence as a Celtic nation first established by Nomenoe in the 9th century. As a region of France, the Breton language and culture has been in a long and gradual decline. Yet over the past thirty years, Brittany has successfully been reasserting its linguistic and political identity. Written and presented in an accessible style, this book will also prove popular with travellers and the general public. It is an ideal introduction to Brittany for students of French and Breton history, as well as Celtic Studies. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | In this highly anticipated sequel to his acclaimed "Beyond the Beachhead", World War II historian Joseph Balkoski follows the U.S. 29th Infantry Division out of Normandy and into Brittany in the northwest corner of France, where the division was tasked with seizing the port of Brest. The Germans, including elite paratroopers, fought fiercely for every inch of ground and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans during bloody house-to-house fighting. By the time the German defenders surrendered, the Allies had taken other ports, thus rendering Brest nearly useless and casting controversy on the decision to capture it in the first place. Balkoski tells the story of the battle, from the generals who ordered the attack to the infantrymen who slogged through the streets of Brest. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | With the fall of France, almost the entire coastline of Western Europe was in German hands. Clandestine sea transport operations provided lines of vital intelligence for wartime Britain. These "secret flotillas" landed and picked up agents in and from France, and ferried Allied evaders and escapees. This activity was crucial to the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) and the SOE (Special Operations Executive). This authoritative publication by the official historian, the late Sir Brooks Richards, vividly describes and analyses the clandestine naval operations that took place during World War Two. The account has been made possible through Sir Brooks' access to closed government archives, combined with his own wartime experiences and the recollections of many of those involved. First published in 1996, the original edition included descriptions of naval operations off French North Africa. The history has now been amended and expanded by Sir Brooks and is now published in two volumes. This first volume now concentrates on the sea lines to Brittany. Operations from French North Africa now form part of the second volume, which also includes operations in the Adriatic around Italy. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Learning French
 | Intermediate This whimsical collection of colloquialisms entertains students while providing insight into French-language idioms, customs, and humor. Grouped according to theme - from "Our Animal Friends" to "Speaking About the Body" to "Food for Thought" - the idioms are illustrated with humorous cartoons that provide keys to understanding the literal and real meanings. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | 101 French Proverbs is a delightful introduction to the colorful and insightful proverbs that French speakers use every day. The 101 proverbs are grouped according to useful themes such as animals, occupations, dining, daily life, people, and others. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Explains the meaning of French slang expressions, idioms, epithets, and colloquialisms. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | 'So good...the book describes the French real French people speak, as opposed to the French you're taught in school. It also, delicately and amusingly, looks at the pscychology of the French. Some French words are just false friends. A 'gateaux' is a rather dull biscuit, not an elaborate cake. 'Creme anglaise' is not cream, but custard. If you photograph a French person, you don't ask them to say 'cheese' and certainly not 'fromage'; instead they sy 'ouistiti', which, weirdly, means a marmoset. The word 'verge' is French for the male organ, which delights the few French travellers here when they see a road sign: 'soft verges'.' For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Even as Eurostar relocates to a gloriously refurbished St Pancras station and the journey time between London and Paris is shaved even closer, more and more people on both sides of the Channel are taking advantage of the extra opportunities this highly cherishable link offers us. And for those already in love with France (not to mention the ever-increasing legions of converts), Speak the Culture: France will be an invaluable aid and companion. Actually, no publisher has attempted anything quite like this, and the publishers Thorogood are to be much applauded for their ingenuity and achievement. The subtitle is Be fluent in French Life and Culture, and that facility is just what this remarkable volume offers, cramming an amazing mass of information into its well-designed pages. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Written by Marcella Ottolenghi Bauxbaum it is only 54 pages long but contains a lot more than it first seems. The book is almost like a dictionary but a little more helpful as it puts words into context to get their true meaning. Unlike a dictionary which normally contains one section for French > English, this one only contains the French. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This well presented book, in English edition, is the book you will find in every French houshold. There they use it to help conjugate the thousands of irregular French verbs, in all their tenses, for their childrens' school work and for use in everyday speech. Here, for anyone learning French, grammar is a top priority and this book's simple format with each verb set out on it's own page with conjugations for every tense you will ever need (and probably some you won't too!) takes out all the effort. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | A brand-new title in the foreign language "Grammar Review" series, this book covers virtually every rule of French grammar and usage. Following a summary of rules for correct pronunciation and spelling, the author goes on to review verb tenses, as well as reflexive verbs, the subjunctive, the imperative, and infinitive verb forms. Rules governing nouns, pronouns modifiers, prepositions, interrogatives, and negative forms are also examined in detail. The book's final chapters cover miscellaneous topics such as numbers, time and dates, idioms, synonyms, antonyms, and cognates. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Learn how to read in French - starting right now! "The Easy Reader Series" books are unique, easy-to-follow guides based on the premise that the best way to learn a language is to start reading it immediately! Whether you're a brand-new beginner or an advanced-beginning learner, the new editions of these popular titles give you ways to dive into the language with engaging readings that progress in difficulty to match your growing reading skills. This process will allow you to rapidly build comprehension and confidence as you enjoy the stories. "Easy French Reader" begins with the adventures of two friends, an American and a Parisian, as they learn about their respective cultures. As you read about their experiences, you'll discover the nuances of language and culture right along with the students.The next section contains a colorful history of France, from ancient Gaul to the present, offering biographical sketches of famous personalities including Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, and Napoleon. The final section features four abridged short stories by famous French authors that allow you to practice your grammar and vocabulary skills on authentic works of French literature. Progressive format makes it easy to quickly build comprehension. Marginal word glossaries conveniently present new words and phrases. Exercises challenge language comprehension and build reading skills. Fully updated new editions, featuring expanded exercises and answer key. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
Countryside
 | Occupying the north-west corner of France, the region of Brittany covers a land area similar to that of Wales. It has a beautiful coastline over 1000 miles long, home to spectacular wildlife. This is a guide to the region's history, its wild and beautiful environment, and the superb local cuisine. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | A visual and verbal account of 31 villages and islands in one of Europe's most popular tourist spots. The villages are drawn from the four departments of modern-day Brittany: Finistere, Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine and Cotes-d'Armor. Brittany is very distinct from the rest of France. It is a place of dramatic contrasts - a jagged coastline, fertile plains and wild moorland. Its people and culture are Celtic; legend has it that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table gathered in the Forest of Paimpont, and that Merlin is buried close by. Centuries of religious piety are enshrined in Breton architecture. Brittany's vigorous and varied village life and architecture are captured here in James Bentley's commentaries and Hugh Palmer's evocative photographs. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | "Walking the Brittany Coast" gives a comprehensive picture of the best coastal walking in Brittany. Each volume contains directions, maps, features, sights, details of accommodation and services, as well as planning advice for getting the most out of a walking break, whether for a day or a month. Numerous colour photographs give the flavour of an immensely varied littoral - cliffs, beaches, dunes, estuaries, marshes, promontories and ports. Background features cover aspects such as geology, bird-watching, flora, history, archaeology, legends and economic activities. Much of the route is based on the famous GR34 coastal path, with full directions and schematic maps for the entire coast-line from the bay of Mont St-Michel to Benodet. Vol 2: Morlaix to Benodet - includes highlights of the remarkable rock formations of the Cote Pagan, the spectacular wild walking of the Crozon peninsula, the blustery cliffs of the Pointe du Raz and the vast bay of Audierne in Pays Bigouden. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | A comprehensive and well-illustrated guide to the 365km Nantes-Brest canal, providing key information for planning and executing a long-distance walk or simply enjoying a short stroll along Brittany's most impressive waterway. The entire towpath route is divided into large-scale sections for easy reference. The maps show locks, roads, towns and villages; landscape and places of interest; accommodation near the canal (hotels, B and B, hostels, camping), restaurants, cafes, bars; location of shops & provisions. Reference sections provide contact details to assist with planning a long-distance walk or ride along the canal. A detailed introduction traces the history of the canal from its origins in Napoleonic times and construction early in the 19th century, through a brief economic heyday and tragic decline, to today's role as an outstanding leisure resource. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This guide offers 25 walks, scattered thoughout Brittany. In addition to basic route directions, there are details of historical, geographical and social interest. Eating places and tourist information centres are detailed and there is a glossary of French words useful to walkers. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | This book gives full details (maps, directions, photographs) of 36 circular walks in Finistere. These vary in length and terrain to give a wide choice for all moods and abilities. They include some spectacular coastal routes, together with country and riverside walks in the less well-known interior of the department, and even a few town walks. Many feature sights of historic or archaeological interest in addition to the intrinsic attraction of Finistere's varied landscape. Suggestions in brief for 45 other walks are also given. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | WALKING BRITTANY discovers the most attractive and often little-known parts of this beautiful holiday region. 28 walks are described in detail with maps and photographs, with suggestions for over a hundred more - enough to create your own self-styled walking holiday based on the location of your choice. Amble through the beech forest at Fougeres or follow in the footsteps of Gauguin at Pont-Aven. Enjoy a family outing to the wonders of the Pink Granite Coast or the strange rock formations at Huelgoat. Off-the-beaten-track, explore the megaliths of St-Just or investigate the legends of King Arthur in the Forest of Paimpont. For an energetic hike, try Menez-Hom or Menez-Mikel, the "mountains" of Brittany. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Morbihan is the department that sits in the middle of southern Brittany. Its name, 'mor bihan', is Breton for 'little sea', a reference to the Gulf of Morbihan where hundreds of tiny islands are scattered across an area of calm water. The department is best known for its neolithic remains, such as the alignments at Carnac and the many other impressive megalithic sites to be encountered all over this alluring landscape. Often overlooked by tourists are the central and northern parts of Morbihan, which offer good rural walking country with impressive scenery, deep forests, rolling hills, beautiful rivers, remote chapels, isolated dolmens and charmingly tranquil villages of ancient houses. "Walks in Morbihan, Southern Brittany" is invaluable for tourists, holiday-home owners and residents. It provides a wide choice of walks from 5-15 kilometres. It includes fully detailed directions and schematic scale maps. It contains background information about sights on each route and the practicalities of location, length, duration, and graded level. It includes suggestions for further walks and places of interest in the vicinity, and is illustrated by colour photographs. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Whether traversing wild, untenanted moorland or roaming across bucolic countryside, whether discovering an orchid-lined pilgrim s way or exploring a fairy tale trail winding through ancient woodland, whether strolling alongside an idyllic trout stream or scrambling across a cataract of rocks, whether burrowing along a bowery path flanked by mossy embankments or following the airy contours of the spectacular coastal path, whether weaving between delicately sculpted dunes or wandering across the flat sands of the tideland, whether gazing at the wide blue horizon from a wind battered headland or simply lounging about taking a break on a breathtakingly beautiful beach, visitors to Brittany soon realise it is a perfect place for getting away from it all . Boasting more than 3,000 kilometres of waymarked paths, a tourist infrastructure that is highly developed without being obtrusive, and regular budget flights, the region has all you need for a long-weekend away or a full walking holiday. Aimed at both the casual visitor and the long-term resident, this book details the extraordinary variety of walking in Brittany, from easy strolls to challenging long-distance outings, featuring forty itineraries in Finistere, Cotes d Armor, and Ille et Vilaine. Walking routes include: walking route summary; ratings for Effort, Time, Distance, Ascents/Descents, Refreshments and Vertigo-risk; fully detailed walking description, including frequent timings to aid navigation and check your progress; GPS waypoints at every key point on every route; full colour 1:25,000 scale IGN licensed mapping for each route; short walk and stroll alternatives For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | "Walking the Brittany Coast" gives a comprehensive picture of the best coastal walking in Brittany. Each volume contains directions, maps, features, sights, details of accommodation and services, as well as planning advice for getting the most out of a walking break, whether for a day or a month. Numerous colour photographs give the flavour of an immensely varied littoral - cliffs, beaches, dunes, estuaries, marshes, promontories and ports. Background features cover aspects such as geology, bird-watching, flora, history, archaeology, legends and economic activities. Much of the route is based on the famous GR34 coastal path, with full directions and schematic maps for the entire coast-line. Vol 1 features Mont St-Michel to Morlaix. Highlights include the walled city of St-Malo, Cap Frehel, the vast sandy beaches of Sables-d'Or-les-Pins and Le Val-Andre, the Pink Granite coast, the old river ports of Tregor, and the Bay of Morlaix. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Wendy Mewes' vivid narration of her long walk across Brittany beside the Nantes-Brest canal brings to life the history and landscape of a distinctive region where as many as 20,000 Britons now live. Well-known as a writer about Brittany, this is the author's most personal work to date. Her journey reflects an individual search for identity and raises questions of integration and settlement in a foreign country. Places through which the canal passes prompt further thoughts upon significant characters and events of Breton history.
The canal itself, twinned with the Wilts/Berks canal in England, is a leading character in the book. Its story of construction, usage, decline and resurrection as an asset for leisure and tourism is interwoven with observations of the superb natural environment it now provides for flora and fauna. The connective power between man and the landscape fostered by walking is also a theme of this memorable journey. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
 | Part of a series of pocket guides designed to take visitors away from the tourist centres and out into the countryside, exploring by public or private transport, or on foot. This book on Brittany is divided into three sections: car tours (with a colour pull-out touring map), picnics, and walks for all ages and abilities. All walks are described in full and illustrated with large-scale maps (scale 1: 40,000). Each book also contains up-to-date timetables for public transport. For more information on this book, either double click on the image or the following link.. More information |
