My decision to start my latest trip to France in the country’s northwestern corner was as practical as it was semantic. The Breton peninsula, history and culture notwithstanding, is just kind of…vestigial to the rest of France. Since I wasn’t prepared to devote a dedicated visit to it, it had to precede the rest of my travels around France.
Of course, this ended up having esoteric benefits. Namely, it proved to be the perfect place for the physic transition between my homebody self and my travel self to begin in earnest.
Then again, this post isn’t really about me. Rather, I’m here to help you compare Normandy vs Brittany, and to decide which might be more appealing to you on your own sojourn.
Why Northwestern France Trips Up So Many Travelers
The first reason that it can be hard to decide between Normandy or Brittany? A lot of people see these regions as being the same place, because of how close they are to each other. This is especially true for Americans, who have a difficult time understanding just how great seemingly small distances are. For example, Èretrat (in Normandy) to Concarneau (in Brittany) looks like a short distance, but actually entails a driving time of well over five hours.
There’s also the question of how to integrate these regions into a broader France trip, as both sit well outside the standard Paris-Bordeaux-Lyon triangle, and even further off the Paris-Lyon-Marseille-Nice corridor. This leads many not to include Brittany or Normandy in their France itinerary at all, preferring to leave it for a future à la carte trip that they may end up ever taking.
Ways to Compare Normandy with Brittany
Getting there and around
Technically speaking, only Brittany is reachable by TGV from Paris, though the main station there (Rennes) is just as close to most of Normandy as it is to the top destinations in Bretagne itself. Regardless of how you get there, of course, you really need a car in order to explore both of these regions, at least if you want to be able to do so within a decent amount of time.
Destinations
In terms of specific destinations, both Normandy and Brittany are full of heavy hitters. Normandy, of course, has Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day Beaches, even if I prefer slightly less ubiquitous places like Bayeux, Deauville and especially Èretrat. Brittany itself is better known than any of its individual cities and towns, with the possible exception of Saint-Malo. I say this with no offense to colorful Dinan, ancient Lacronan or wind-swept Concarneau.
Cuisine
Brittany is famous for crêpes and their savory cousin galettes, as well as concoctions like moumouttes, aka colorful flavored meringues. Whereas in Normandy, you not surprisingly have a lot of seafood (from mussels to scallops), Calvados apple brand and (to my chagrin) stinky camembert cheese. To state it another way, I find the cuisine of Brittany to be more distinctive and more appealing, though of course some of this is down to personal preference.
Language
On the surface, this seems like a strange topic to breach. Whether you’re in Brittany or Normandy, you can speak French, right? This is obviously true—and frankly, most people in both destinations speak at least a little English—but that’s not what I’m talking about. Rather, you’ll see bilingual signs throughout Brittany (the second language, perhaps unsurprisingly, is the Celctic language Breton), which according to a local friend of mine would’ve been unheard of when he was a kid.
Crowds (or lack thereof)
It would be dishonest to say that either of these regions was “off the beaten path.” However, the reality is that most of Brittany is much more remote and difficult to access and get around than Normandy. Plus, nowhere in Brittany is on the level of bonafide Normandy tourist attractions like Mont Saint-Michel or Omaha Beach, which seem tourists (especially American ones) make day trips from Paris, even if they aren’t spending time elsewhere nearby.
How Long Do You Need in Brittany? What About Normandy?
Both of these regions are larger than they seem, especially Brittany. Even if you base yourself in Saint-Malo or Dinan, it can easily take you 12 hours (or even longer) to see even the core attractions of Brittany. Normandy is slightly less sprawling, but because it tends to have more tourists, especially more foreign ones, it can take longer to explore than you might think simply looking at distances and travel times.
I realize that this is a Brittany vs Normandy comparison, but if you decide to throw up your hands and visit both, I’d suggest splitting between 5-7 days between them if you can. If not, then I’d suggest a minimum of two full days for Brittany, and one full day for Normandy. This means days unencumbered by getting to the region or from the region back to somewhere else—you wake up there and go to bed there.
Other FAQ About Brittany and Normandy
Which is nicer, Brittany or Normandy?
Brittany has a more unique vibe (from culture, to architecture, to cuisine), while Normandy has a more satisfying range of destinations and experiences clustered close to one another. It’s not really productive to say which is “nicer”; these two regions simply cater to different sorts of travelers.
What is the most beautiful town in northwestern France?
It’s hard to say, but my favorite towns in Brittany and Normandy are probably Èretrat, Concarneau, Dinan and Lacronan, in that order. With this being said, it’s difficult to feel disappointed with anywhere in this part of France. Every place you pass through will charm you in its own way.
Why is Brittany so different from the rest of France?
Brittany is so different from the rest of France both due to geography (it’s isolated from most of the rest of the country) and history, dating all the way back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. Bretagne boasts unique architecture and its own language, neither of which would be out of place in La Grande-Bretange.
The Bottom Line
Normandy vs Brittany—it’s the age-old debate. Well, perhaps that framing is loaded, given the history of this part of France. Regardless, if you don’t think you’ll have time to visit both of these regions, I think it’s important to think about which will be more enjoyable for you, and relevant to the goals that motivate your next trip to France. Normandy, of course, is where you’ll find the iconic Mont Saint-Michel, which for most travelers is reason enough to visit. Brittany, for its part, feels culturally separate from the rest of France, to say nothing of its fierce beauty. Need personalized assistance creating the perfect France itinerary? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
