The Culinary Traveler


Brittany comprises a third of France's coastline. Historically it is a land of seafarers with strong Celtic influences and close ties to Britain because of its proximity to the English coast and the sea trade that existed between the two countries for hundreds of years. The Breton people have always been independent with a unique culture and cuisine as well as a language of their own. This distinct region of France is also deeply influenced by religion as evidenced by the numerous chapels and ancient standing stones, or megaliths, which populate many areas of Brittany, including the Côte de Granit Rose. The numerous small coastal cities in the region date back to the Gallo Roman period as well as the late Middle Ages.

Brittany is also the queen of blue hydrangeas, or "hortensias," as they are known in France. Take a walk through the villages, towns and gardens in the region and you will see them everywhere. There are various shades, but the most striking are the blues with their extraordinary intensity due to an acid soil containing aluminum sulphate. The fact that hydrangeas thrive in the Breton seaside soil and climate has enabled them to be the floral beauty so distinctive to the region. Our stay in Brittany will be located in the "Côte de Granit Rose" region of northern Brittany, where over three hundred million years of erosion of the pink granite coast have chiseled out extraordinary natural shapes and rock formations, some of them massive. The color variations of the pink granite contributes to a stunning visual effect.
Lannion Nestled in the peaceful Leguer valley, Lannion is the largest town in the region surrounding Le Château de Kerivon and occupies a site that dates back to Neolithic times. Its historic medieval houses with overhanging wood-timbered walls and winding cobbled streets add to Lannion's charm. The weekly outdoor market in Lannion is an essential part of town life. Each Thursday morning, numerous street vendors occupy the town square and adjacent streets with the finest in locally grown produce, breads, meats and cheeses, as well as arts, crafts, fabrics, household linens and kitchen utensils. Perros-Guirec Located in the northern most part of Brittany's coastline and the heart of the "Côte de Granit Rose," Perros-Guirec, with its charming coastal landscapes, marina and two immaculate beaches - Trestrignel and Trestraou - is the most popular seaside resort in the region, while just around the corner are the delightful port of Ploumanac'h and Trégastel bay. Historically, life in this quaint coastal town, with its stylish shops and restaurants, has been dictated by the tides and the activities of the harbor. Outdoor lovers will enjoy walking along the extraordinary landscapes of protected natural coastal paths, where land and sea are scattered with rocks of pink granite shaped by the wind and waves. There are also stunning views across the bay to the Seven Islands archipelago, which is famed for its wildlife reserve and is the home of more than 18,000 pairs of birds including gannets, puffins and razorbills.

Design by Jenny Ryf