Press pack UK and Ireland - Tourisme Bretagne

1
2016
Press pack
UK and Ireland
Press contact
Celine Badde
T : +44 (0)2392 402984
M : +44 (0)7769 858 019
[email protected]
www.brittanytourism.com
www.facebook.com/BrittanyFans
www.twitter.com/fansofbrittany
Brittany tourism / Comité régional du tourisme de Bretagne
1 rue Raoul Ponchon
35069 Rennes cedex, France
Tel. +33 (0)2 99 28 44 30
tourismebretagne.com
With the support of
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Top places to stay
Experience something unique
just across the Channel
Own an island for a night (without breaking the bank!)
On the Pink Granite Coast, when night falls, the Milliau island could be yours. A timeless journey just a
10 minute walk from the continent.
Looking for an adventure just like Robinson Crusoe’s
story? In Northern Brittany, you can walk to Milliau island on foot at low tide. When the evening tide comes
in, day visitors return to the mainland, leaving you
alone on Milliau, with a fantastic feeling of freedom
and isolation. With the island to yourself, you have
the whole night ahead to explore every small corner of the islands 23 hectares of unspoilt nature, to
swim, or simply relax in this tranquil setting. Expect
beautiful sea views, a fascinating panorama of little
rocks and islets, and an exceptional array of wildlife
- 275 species of plant have been recorded here. And
when the fun is over, you can retreat to your friendly
gîte, an ancient 16th century farmhouse.
“In the skin of Robinson Crusoe on Milliau island”
is one of the Brittany Experiences arranged by the
Brittany Tourist Board. This hand-picked selection of
unique activities offer visitors the opportunity to discover the real Brittany and the hidden gems off the
beaten track.
Brittany Experience from €20 /person, including one
night in one of the 3 gîtes (maximum capacity of 17
people in total). Accommodation in gîtes is simple,
but characterful and picturesque, with W.C and
shower in a separate hut.
Find out more
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
Sleep at the top of a lighthouse
With more than 1,700 miles of coastline, Brittany is
lined by lighthouses, but only the Kerbel lighthouse
offers you to stay in the octagonal glass lantern
room itself.
Escape with your other half, or come along with friends and family - the lighthouse keeper’s house can
accomodate up to 6 people – and explore the beautiful port of Port-Louis and its impressive Citadel.
Observing the changing light over Quiberon Bay, 25m
high perched in your cosy studio flat with breathtaking 360° panoramic views, is an experience of a lifetime! This legendary accommodation also features
a heated swimming pool, a steam room and private
garden to complete the haven of tranquility.
1-night B&B stay for 2 people: €600 (from September to April). Self cathering holiday accommodation
for up to 6 people: €2,350 /week (from May to August)
Find out more
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
www.pharedekerbel.com
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Go glamping in an
Astérix-style wooden hut
Nestled in 40 hectares of carefully preserved natural surroundings, on the outskirts of the beautiful
medieval town of Dinan, the Domaine Arvor offers
guests an authentic glamping experience with its
eco-friendly Gallic Hut perched in the trees.
Staying in a hut doesn’t mean giving up the comforts
of fine bed linen and a cosy interior! The thatched-roof
hut’s 3m diameter bulls-eye window offers a magnificent countryside panorama, and there’s even a private
outdoor hot tub for moonlight bathing. What better
place than a Gallic style hut in the land of Astérix? Did
you know Brittany is the home of Astérix the Gaul,
his band of merry men, and their exploits against Roman invaders, as detailed in the much-loved cartoon
books?
One-night B&B from €250 for two people, two-night
B&B from €320 for two people, additional €35 per
extra person. The Gallic Hut can accommodate up to
five people.
Find out more
www.domaine-arvor.com
A luxury liner-themed hotel for a wellness escape
In April 2015, 25 years after its inauguration on the
Rhuys peninsula, the Miramar reopened its doors
after six months of complete refurbishment. The
5-star hotel with a distinctive liner architecture
facing the ocean has just been given a second life.
Double room from €180. Wellness short breaks
from €200.
Located at the entrance of the Morbihan Gulf, the
Miramar Crouesty houses 100 truly luxurious rooms
and 13 suites, a renowned thalassotherapy center
and a first-class spa offering a selection of massages
and spa treatments, some of which are unique to
the Miramar. From detox and fitness programs to
the superb heated panoramic sea-water swimming
pool, the Miramar is a wellness destination par excellence to revitalise yourself. Luxury, privacy and
peace reign here, with the ocean tranquillity and
beautiful scenery urges you to relax and unwind.
Find out more
www.miramarcrouesty.com
Charm and tradition in central Brittany
Built for a Breton noblesman in the late 15th century, the relaxed characterful country house is
surrounded by peaceful, lush gardens and is a
haven of tranquility in central Brittany.
You’ll instantly be enchanted by the manor’s romantic
snug feel, with beige sofas that blend beautifully with
the ivory-coloured whitewashed walls in the lounge,
and the exposed beams and stonework. This delightful decor continues into the four cosy double rooms,
which feature antique furniture. Good food has
always been a tradition at the Manoir de Kerlédan,
with tenant farmers producing milk, butter and cider
in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, breakfast and
dinner are enviable opportunities to sample locally
sourced produces, such as the garden vegetables,
organic cheeses and home-made jams! In mid-July,
music-lovers can head to the Vieilles Charrues FestiFind out more
www.kerledan.com
val nearby. In 2016, the renowned pop music festival
will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, so expect it
to be something truly special.
1-night B&B stay for two people from €99.
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City break
in Rennes
Did you know you could fly direct to Rennes
from London, Manchester, Southampton, Exeter,
Dublin and Cork? Discover a lively city at the
forefront of contemporary art, music and food
with a fascinating mix of eclectic architecture,
historical grand squares and glorious gardens.
Brittany’s capital city has a fantastic artistic and
cultural calendar! In 2016, Rennes will be the Breton capital of contemporary art. Les Frères Bouroullec (the Bouroullec brothers) invest the city’s
three major exhibition sites, the Champs Libres
museum celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Biennale of Contemporary Art returns for its 5th edition, and ‘Aître Voyages’ will show you the artistic
treasures hidden in the Streets of Rennes.
From March to August 2016, the Champs Libres, the
FRAC Bretagne and the Parliament of Brittany bring
together an exhibition dedicated to two major figures
of international design: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. In recent years, several monographic exhibitions
have been devoted to their work: «Ronan and Erwan
Bouroullec» at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los
Angeles (2004), “Bivouac” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (2012-2013), and “Momentané”
at the Arts Décoratifs museum, Paris (2013).
Rennes knows how to party! Look out for Les Tombées de la Nuit festival in July; a melting pot of creative expression with street performance and shows in
quirky locations. Or the Transmusicales winter festival
showcasing tomorrow’s big-name artists, literally THE
music festival for those in the know...
Rennes is a brilliant destination for foodies too! The
Place des Lices Saturday morning market is one of
France’s finest and the city is at the forefront of the
‘Bistronomie’ trend – a savvy blend of French gastronomy and bistro culture.
All year round, Flybe operates outbound flights on Friday evening from London Southend, with the opportunity to return on Sunday evening, making Rennes a
perfect city destination to hop to for a weekend break!
And there are even more options for taking a holiday to Brittany with summer flights from London City,
Manchester, Southampton and Exeter.
Find out more
www.flybe.com & www.tourisme-rennes.com
Shopping idea : Find the perfect
Breton gift at La Belle-Iloise !
“For over three generations, our family offers
the very best of gourmet canned fish
We use only the finest raw materials, prepared according to the most delicious recipes. Sardines, tuna,
mackerel are worked by hand, while maintaining the
utmost respect for tradition, not for the love of the
past, but because it’s the best way to work the fish
and preserve its flavour. Thanks to our expertise, we
continue developing new recipes, so that tasting our
products is always a great moment of pleasure!”
Caroline Hilliet Le Branchu,
Granddaughter of the founder
Find out more
www.labelleiloise.fr
xx
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“Les Frères Bouroullec”
For the first time in Brittany, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, two Breton designers and major figures of
international design, showcase a substantial collection of their recent achievements, mostly unpublished, and developed in three distinct areas:
· The design of objects at the FRAC Bretagne.
· Micro-architecture projects at the Parliament of Brittany, where a versatile architectural platform will be
hosted.
· The first Bouroullec’s project for urban public space
at the Champs Libres : an urban ‘reverie’ or wandering
inspired from their reflexion on fictive development of
the city.
Find out more
www.bouroullec.com
Art treasures
in the streets of Rennes
Follow Etienne on a walking tour to discover
contemporary art works that are scattered all
across the city of Rennes. Often highly original,
some are discreetly displayed, whereas others are
installed to astonish and turn up in some surprising places…
This unique art-themed tour in Rennes is open to everyone, and includes a visit the Biennale of Contemporary Art and the Bourellec Brothers exhibition. “Treasures in the streets of Rennes” is one of the Brittany
Experiences arranged by the Brittany Tourist Board.
This hand-picked selection of unique activities offers
visitors the opportunity to discover the real Brittany
and all the hidden gems found off the beaten track.
Brittany Experience from €12 per person.
Find out more
www.brittanytourism/ideas/brittany-experiences
Off-beat weekend package
A 2-night package to discover remarkable contemporary art and architecture sites in Brittany, presented by AITRE Travel agency.
Discover one of the biggest sculpture parks in Europe, an estuary landscape dotted with works of art
created by some of the greatest of international artists and architects around, and Breton cities where
art reveals itself at every street corner, with museums housing some of the most beautiful contemporary art collections in France.
Small groups tours from €600 /pers., incl.
flights, transfers, two B&B nights, tickets and
tours.
Find out more
www.aitre.eu
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“Brest 2016”
International
Maritime Festival
Make the most of your break in western
Brittany with this truly amazing maritime
world’s event.
From 13 to 19 July 2016, Brest’s harbour will be the
setting of a display from another era. The International Maritime Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2012, with 715,000 visitors and 1,500
traditional sailing boats from 25 nations. And with
two new unique displays already scheduled for its
7th edition, it promises a magnificent spectacle on
both land and water.
Discover the Hermione frigate, the historical replica
of the flagship La Fayette, which is very popular, and
for the first time, the Monge, an impressive tracking
ship that will be presented to the public by the French
Navy. Over seven kilometres, the quayside rolls out
the red carpet to hundred-year-old sailing boats and
other remarkable vessels originating from all corners
of the world. Watch the races and admire the boats
in action, climb aboard and even set sail on the sea...
and don’t miss the Grande Parade, an invincible armada, with around 20,000 sailors parading their uniforms
to the tune of dozens of musical performances from
Brest to Douarnenez. Savour a buzzing atmosphere
with thousands of concerts, maritime scientist exhibitions, kids’ entertainment, magical fireworks, and a
number of Breton food stands with cooking shows.
There’s no better time to discover Brest city, the
amazing Pont de l’Iroise bridge, the castle maritime
museum, and of course Océanopolis, the only ocean
discovery centre of its kind in Europe. Brest is a great
base too to explore western Brittany gloriously rugged
coastline, from the fjord-like abers to windswept islands and peaceful fishing villages. And it’s just a short
flight away from London, Birmingham, Southampton,
or a ferry crossing from southern England to St-Malo
or Roscoff!
Balade en mer
Find out more
www.brest2016.fr/en & www.brest-terres-oceanes.fr
The party goes on
in Douarnenez!
Following Brest 2016’s Grande Parade, the impressive fleet of ships will drop anchor in the
Port of Rosmeur in Douarnenez for another six
days of festivities.
From July 19th to 24th, the Temps Fêtes festival will
host a vast range of events and performances. Douarnenez waterfront will be a hive of activity with Breton artists, musicians from all around the world, films
projected onto sails, marine knots demonstrations,
traditional Breton games and introduction to traditional sailing being just a small selection of the activities
on offer. The highlight of the festival is the hundreds
of fishing boats and traditional sailing ships that form
an impressive colourful flotilla. Come see the parade,
regattas, and the manoeuvre challenges. And why not
climb on board for a sailing trip?
Find out more
www.tempsfete.com
Prices from €15 /adult - €9 for young people under
18, and free for children under 10.
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Fascinating
themed routes to
(re)discover Brittany
Drive, walk or cycle, the choice is yours to explore
Brittany’s best kept secrets
Route des Phares - Let the lighthouses guide you
The spectacular rugged coastline of western Brittany has an extraordinary collection of lighthouses,
most dating from the 19th century.
Phare de l’Ile Vierge, phare des Pierres Noires, phare
du Four... from Brest to Brigognan, or to Ushant Island, six days of hiking along the GR34 coastal path
will lead you a number of legendary lighthouses.
Unless you prefer a six-day loop in the Iroise country
from Brélès to the Pointe Saint-Mathieu via SainteAnne du Portzic and Saint-Renan, a wonderful journey across heritage sites! Cyclists can choose from
three great signposted bike trails set-up by Le
Conquet Tourist Board : “Le bout du monde” (64 km),
“Les Vieilles Pierres” (93 km) and “Entre Manche et
Océan” (33 km), combining on road routes following
the coastline and off road countryside sections.
The Saint-Mathieu lighthouse is probably the highlight of any lighthouse themed tour in Brittany.
This must-see site stands at the westernmost point
of mainland France. Full of history and memories,
the Pointe Saint-Mathieu, housing the lighthouse and
a 16th century abbey, is a symbolic site for all the
Breton sailors with the ‘National Memorial to sailors
lost at sea’. Visitors can climb the 163 steps to enjoy
spectacular panoramic views over the sea.
Find out more
www.tourismeleconquet.fr/en
La Côte des Jardins - A new European garden route
in Brittany
Gardens aren’t usually at the front of mind when
thinking of Brittany… Yet remarkably, the perfect
climate and rich soil have brought about a long tradition of acclimatisation of exotic plants, brought
back by sailors from their expeditions.
The ‘Côte des Jardins’ new European garden route is
an enchanting itinerary through the 11 most beautiful gardens in Brittany from English romanticism and
formal French elegance, to mazes and unusual flower
gardens. Along the way, you’ll discover unique settings, like Batz island where the Georges Delaselle’s
garden holds more than 2,000 species of plant from
all five continents, and boasts a superb collection of
palm trees – all of which flourish thanks to the island’s
position in the Gulf Stream. The 25 hectares of the
Haute-Bretagne botanical park present a real change
of scenery with 21 gardens including a prehistoric, a
Persian and a setting-sun garden. This amazing botanical universe designed in 1847 is, according to the
Michelin Guide, “one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in France”.
Find out more
www.apjb.org
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Brittany Experiences
Brittany’s hidden gems make
unforgettable memories
enof
mer
SailBalade
to one
the most beautiful beaches
in Europe for a gourmet sunset
Imagine a rocky peninsula bathed in turquoise
waters, bordered with charming colourful
houses... welcome to the Presqu’Ile de Crozon!
You’ll meet Erwan there for a gourmet catamaran
ride into the sunset.
As you set sail to the Cap de la Chèvre, at the
southern tip of the Crozon peninsula, you’ll learn
to recognise the texture of the water, detect wind
acceleration, and you can even take the helm. Or
alternatively just relax and enjoy the magnificent
views over the sea. The rocky landscape of the
Iroise Marine Park soon change to a beautiful golden
brown colour.
Arriving to the Ile Vierge from sea is a must! The
beach there – hardly accessible from land – is one
of the most beautiful in Europe, and under sunset
it’s pure beauty! Clear water, steep cliff dotted with
pine trees and carved with a discrete arc... It’s like
being in one of southern France’s creeks , without
the crowds.
The gourmet break is a fabulous opportunity to
sample the best of local produces: Pen Ar Bed Oysters, smoked trout sandwiches and fish rillettes of
the Viviers Térenez, organic gingerbread from the
Miellerie d’Armorique… All dashed with cider and
apple juice from the Argol’s cider museum.
Brittany Experience from €60 per adult, including:
- A 2h30 “sunset” catamaran trip to discover the
Crozon peninsula and the Ile Vierge
- Tasting of local produce on board
Find out more
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
Go wild – explore the beauties
of Molène archipelago
Are you ready for an unforgettable trip to discover the Molène archipelago and the Iroise
marine park? Here nature remains untamed,
battered by heavy swells and strong tidal currents, with a landscape shaped by the wind.
During an extraordinary journey with Christel and
Lucky, both nature and sea lovers, discover the wild
beauty of the island of Molène and the many treasures that surround it. On board their motorboat
you’ll leave Le Conquet for a day of unforgettable
encounters with bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.
Breathtaking panoramas framed with impressive
offshore lighthouses contrast with colourful flowered
houses and the authentic streets of Molène’s village.
Brittany Experience from €60 /adult including:
- A day discovering the archipelago of Molène and
the Iroise Marine Park with Christel and Lucky
- A 3h stop on Molène Island
Find out more
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
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“Live like a local”
Offbeat experiences to discover real Brittany
Balade enshellfish
mer
Gathering
with locals
on the Crozon peninsula
Gathering shellfish on the Crozon peninsula is a
great activity, particularly for families. You’ll get
to discover one of Brittany’s most amazing natural sites - and you eat your spoils at the end!
Hours are happily whiled away discovering all things
weird and wonderful under the watchful expert guidance of Joël and Martine. Learn more about environmental preservation, the different species and
the techniques of shellfish gathering. Clams, gooseneck barnacles, abalone, velvet crabs - Joël has a
story to tell about every one of them. Under rocks,
in the sand or under water, you will discover a whole
new, edible world beside the seaside. After the walking and the fresh sea air whet the appetite, it’s
time to savour the seafood platter that awaits you.
Back to the house, Martine organises a little cookery workshop, and shows you how to cook clams
and whelks, while the men get down to opening the
oysters.
Brittany Experience from €50 (from 2 to 6 people)
including :
- A day or a weekend gathering shellfish with Martine and Joël Le Guirriec
- Accommodation and full board for the day or the
weekend at Martine and Joël’s gîte
- Learning about the different species and the techniques of shellfish gathering
- A cookery workshop at the gîte, featuring the catch
of the day
- Sampling of what you have caught
Find out more
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
A day at sea with a fisherman from Le Guilvinec
Be a Breton fisherman for a day in the port of Le
Guilvinec, that’s home of 1000 men and women
sailing 253 boats. Every day, they fish langoustines, monkfish, skate, cod, whiting and sardines.
In the early morning, board the Kan Atao and go inshore fishing with Johan for a heartfelt and powerful
experience. Through this unforgettable insight of the
modern day fishermen’s life, you’ll meet ‘real’ Bretons,
experience work on a langoustine trawler, learn about
the fishing business and how/what/where to catch
in Brittany’s waters, and enjoy a number of sailors’
jokes! When heading back to the harbour, it’s time
for the fish auction where the old fishermen take the
catch to market. By way of exchange, they get a share
of the catch as payment.
If you’d like to complete this journey in the world of
fishing, visit Haliotika – la Cité de la Pêche, an interactive museum where you learn the journey of a fish,
from its travels in the ocean to its arrival on your plate!
Find out more
Brittany Experiences from €50 per person (maximum 2), including :
- A day at sea with a fisherman
- On board, take part in collecting and sorting the
catch
www.brittanytourism.com/ideas/brittany-experiences
10
Getting to
Brittany
Easy access by plane or ferry
from the UK
By car
As soon as they arrive in the region, tourists have
the benefit of Brittany’s entirely toll-free dual carriage way network.
By train
From London, visitors from the UK can get to the
Gare du Nord in Paris in 2 hours 20 minutes by Eurostar. Then, to continue their journey, Brittany has
an excellent rail service from Paris aboard the TGV
Atlantique high speed train. From the Gare Montparnasse in Paris, it takes two hours to get to Rennes
and four hours to Brest or Quimper.
Find out more
www.eurostar.com
Find out more
www.voyages-sncf.com
Direct routes from the UK to Brittany
By ferry
From
Plymouth
Poole Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Cork
Rosslare
By plane
To
Roscoff
St-Malo
St-Malo
St-Malo
Roscoff
Roscoff
Ferry operator
Brittany Ferries
Condor Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Condor Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Condor Ferries
From
To
BirminghamBrest
BristolNantes
East Midlands
Dinard
ExeterRennes
GuernseyDinard
Leeds Bradford Dinard
LiverpoolNantes
London City
Nantes
London City
Quimper
London City
Rennes
London Gatwick Nantes London Southend Rennes
London Stansted Dinard
Manchester
Nantes, Rennes
Southampton
Brest, Nantes, Rennes
Cork
Rennes
Dublin
Nantes, Rennes
Dublin
Nantes, Rennes
Find out more
www.brittanyferries.com
www.condorferries.co.uk
www.brittanyferries.com
www.condorferries.co.uk
www.brittanyferries.com
www.condorferries.co.uk
Airline
Find out more
Flybe
www.flybe.com
Easyjet
www.easyjet.com
Ryanair
www.ryanair.com
Flybewww.flybe.com
Aurigny www.aurigny.com
Ryanair
www.ryanair.com
Easyjet www.easyjet.com
Cityjet
www.cityjet.com
British Airways www.ba.com
Flybe
www.flybe.com
Easyjet
www.easyjet.com
Flybe
www.flybe.com
Ryanair
www.ryanair.com
Flybe
www.flybe.com
Flybe
www.flybe.com
Aer Lingus
www.aerlingus.com
Aerlingus
www.aerlingus.com
Ryanair
www.ryanair.com
Information
Brittany tourism
Comité régional du tourisme de Bretagne
1 rue Raoul Ponchon • CS 46938
35069 Rennes cedex, France
Tél. +33 (0)2 99 28 44 30 • [email protected]
tourismebretagne.com
Brittany Tourism has been awarded the Green Globe Certificate for Sustainable Development.
Document published by Brittany Tourism • 2016
Cover and inside pages: designed by Charlotte Mével for Awen Studio • Photo credits: Front cover: Ronan Gladu - p2: Top Yannick Derennes; Bottom Emmanuel
Berthier - p3: Top Emmanuel Berthier; Middle Miramar; Bottom Manoir de Kerlédan - p4: Middle Emmanuel Berthier; Bottom La Belle-Iloise; p5: Top Richard
Dumas, Middle Yannick Derennes; Bottom Martin Argyroglo (Huang Yong Ping, Serpent d’océan, Saint-Brevin-les-Pins creation pérenne Estuaire 2012) - p6: Top
Benoot Stiechelbaut – p7: Top Emmanuel Berthier; Bottom Parc Botanique de Haute-Bretagne – p8: Top Iconotec-Nicolas S; Bottom Emmanuel Berthier - p9:
Top Pierre Torset; Bottom Simon Bourcier - p10: Diaphane-Ell-Prod - Back cover: Simon Bourcier.