Region: Bretagne (Brittany)

brittany-mymap

Some glimpses of the region

Climate Information

about this region

In Brief

Rainy: Rainiest region in France (along with Normandy)

Mild Temperatures: Usually no colder than freezing or hotter than mid-80s(F), low 20's (C)

Not Sunny Least sunny region in France

Windy:  Brisk breezes year round

More Climate Detail

Rain: Brittany ( along with Normandy) is the rainiest region in France.  The far west coast is more rainy (43 inches a year) than inland (Rennes: 27.5 inches).  In rainy months (winter) it rains  between 7 - 12 days a month.  Even summer will have five rainy days a month.

Temperatures

  • Winter are mild and temperatures are usually above freezing.  Brittany is less prone to cold and heat waves than the rest of France.
  • Summers are cool, coolest on the west coast , and heat waves are shorter than in other regions. 'Normal' highs are in the 70's/ 80's (21/25 C) but even here temperatures have reached the 100's (40's C) for a few days in the past few summers

Sun: Brittany is the least sunny region of France (due to both latitude and climate). June, July and August are your best chances for sun.

Wind:  Brittany is windy .  Winds average 1 5 - 20 miles an hour, usually the frequent brisk breezes typical of westerlies and southwesterlies.  The wind here is less seasonal and less sporadic than the winds in the South of France (Mistral, Tramontine)   People who find their moods affected by the winds in the South may experience Brittany differently.  Windy, but not quite the "wind of madness" that the Mistral has been called.

References:  Climates to Travel , Weatherspark

To delve into much more detail about this region’s weather, we recommend you plug this region ‘s name into the excellent site: https://weatherspark.com/ There is even an option to compare and contrast different towns at a fine detail level.

The featured towns

Dol1
Department: Ille-et-Vilaine

Sunny: Least Sunny

Wind: : Least windy

Click for more details on: Dol-de-Bretagne

 including climate, transportation, welcome, health, safety + reviews and recommendations. 

Special Pluses

A nice size town, with the charms of Brittany but not the seaside, tourist ambiance.  Reasonable in size, cost of living and transportation

“The town itself is fairly typical. It has a market on Saturdays, a little high street with bars and restaurants, a few little supermarkets and a swimming pool. If you have kids it has OK schools. It’s a little touristy in high season, but maybe that’s a good thing for you?…I’d say though that the location is what helps. You are close to beaches, (my fav is Cherrueix) it has an OK railway service which can get you to Rennes and from there wherever you want.” Mathew Lambert
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Paimpol1
Town: Paimpol
Department: Côtes-d'Armor

Sunny: Least Sunny

Wind: : Mid-range windy

Click for more details on: Paimpol

 including climate, transportation, welcome, health, safety + reviews and recommendations. 

Special Pluses
  • Tales from Brittany “I think Brittany is the most beautiful region in France. To me, it is sheer perfection. Here, one finds emerald green waters, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, the GR34 hiking trail, charming Breton villages and bustling cities, magical forests and enchanting castles, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. There is literally something for everyone here.”
  • Emily Derrick on Expatra: “Brittany is rugged, overwhelming, and incredibly charming. But it’s not ideal for fans of city life. Most of Brittany is overrun by small villages. Even the most prominent towns still feel like villages. But that doesn’t mean the area isn’t without its charms.”
  • Solo Sophie: “Of course; no fishing town would be complete without a port and that of Paimpol is particularly well appointed. The port is around which the rest of the village is built and was once the lifeblood of Paimpol (historically residents of the town would have made their livelihoods thanks to fishing).The first quay at the port was built as early as 1762.”
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Petite Cite de CaractereCite d'Artle chateau de Josselin
Town: Josselin
Department: Morbihan

Sunny: Least Sunny

Wind: : Mid-range windy

Click for more details on: Josselin

 including climate, transportation, welcome, health, safety + reviews and recommendations. 

Special Pluses
  • A fairy tale castle
  • Favorite foods:  cider, crêpes, mushrooms, seafood, and pastries are very popular.
  • The Celtic culture, which remains very strong and pairs beautifully with the local music.
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ploermel5
Town: Ploërmel
Department: Morbihan

Sunny: Least Sunny

Wind: : Mid-range windy

Click for more details on: Ploërmel

 including climate, transportation, welcome, health, safety + reviews and recommendations. 

Special Pluses
  • Beautiful lake just at the edge of townwith exstensive biking and walking paths including the “Circuit des Hortensias”
  • A lovely cathedral
  • A widely praised weekly market
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Concarneau6 (1)
Town: Concarneau
Department: Finistère

Sunny: Least Sunny

Wind: : Mid-range windy

Click for more details on: Concarneau

 including climate, transportation, welcome, health, safety + reviews and recommendations. 

Special Pluses
  • All about the sea…and boats.  Concarneau’s harbor is a bustling hub of activity, lined with colorful fishing boats and charming cafes. The harbor is particularly beautiful at sunset when the boats are illuminated by the setting sun.   Also, the seafood rocks.
  • Concarneau’s old town is surrounded by a fortified wall, built in the 14th century. The wall is still largely intact and offers stunning views of the harbor and the city.
  • Festival Interceltique de Lorient: A large international festival celebrating Celtic culture, featuring music, dance, sports, and cultural exhibits.
  • In August the town holds the annual Fête des Filets Bleus (Festival of the blue nets). The festival, named after the traditional blue nets of Concarneau’s fishing fleet, is a celebration of Breton and pan-Celtic culture. Such festivals can occur throughout Brittany but the Filets Bleus is one of the oldest and largest,
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Special pluses and possible minuses

Special Pluses
  • Natural beauty: Stunning coastline with cliffs, beaches, islands, and charming fishing villages. Rolling countryside with forests, farms, and historic sites.
  • Outdoor activities: Ideal for watersports like surfing, sailing, and kayaking. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails aplenty.
  • Rich culture: Distinct Celtic heritage with traditional festivals, music, and dance. Strong emphasis on local gastronomy, seafood, and crêpes.
  • Slower pace of life: Relaxed atmosphere in smaller towns and villages. Emphasis on community and family.
  • Affordability: Compared to Paris and other large French cities, housing and overall cost of living is generally lower.
  • Good infrastructure: Efficient public transportation network, including high-speed train connections.
  • Healthcare: Access to a strong public healthcare system.
  • Multilingual opportunities: Growing expat community offers opportunities to learn English, French, and Breton languages.
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Special Pluses
  • Weather: Known for its rainy and cloudy weather, especially in winter. Wind can be strong and persistent, particularly on the coast.
  • Isolation: Brittany feels remote from other parts of France, especially for those relying on non-French languages.
  • Limited job opportunities: While tourism and agriculture are strong sectors, certain job fields might be limited, especially outside major cities.
  • Language barrier: Learning French is essential for daily life and integration, especially outside tourist areas.
  • Limited nightlife and entertainment options: Rural areas offer calmer lifestyles, but city life with vibrant nightlife and diverse cultural activities is less available.
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Who recommends it?

Locally or from the internet

Local Recommendations coming soon!
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