Inland, Brittany is a land of myths and legends, romantic châteaux, fascinating towns, and calm navigable rivers and canals. This tradition-packed region has its own language, customs and, above all, festivities: you'll never get a better idea of the Breton soul than during a Pardon (a solemn mass and procession in folk costume), a Celtic festival or a village fête.

A landscape of pastures, hedgerowed farms and stone cottages topped by black slate or thatched roofs. And in between, stand deep forests and wild moors of brush, gorse and heather. Over 2,000 rivers meander down to the sea, where 'l'Ar Mor' (the 'sea country') has three distinct moods: the north coast of flat beaches and granite headlands; the western peninsula of wild crags, cliffs and sandy beaches; and the south coast, indented by coves and rocky creeks. This is a land of mystic charm and legendary beauty.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS: Visit the megalithic standing stones at Carnac dating from the Neolithic and early Bronze Ages (3500-1800 BC) - the contemporaries of Stonehenge. Don't miss the Jules Verne museum at Nantes, the medieval town of Auray, the Great Keep and Watchtower at St. Malo, the Château de Combourg, and the abbey at Mont-St. Michel. From Quiberon, join one of the regular boat trips (it takes just 45 minutes) to visit the outlying island of Belle-Ile for some truly exhilarating scenery

FOOD & WINE: Seafood lovers will adore Brittany's fruits de mer of lobster, oysters, mussels, clams and scallops, as well as crab in flaky pastry, smoked salmon or Cotriade (Breton fish soup). Crêperies offer inexpensive light meals, or galettes with seafood, ham or mushrooms, and sweet crêpes topped with chocolate, fruit or jam. The dry white Muscadet wine is superb with seafood, while the local cider goes wonderfully with crêpes.

HISTORY: When the Angles and Saxons invaded Britain in the 5th century, many Welsh and Cornish Celts fled over the channel to a land they called 'Little Britain'. Although the region was finally incorporated into France in 1514, it still retains a strong sense of Celtic identity. The Breton language is still spoken (mainly in the west) and the people endeavour to preserve Brittany's ancient culture and traditions.

ACTIVITIES: The sandy beaches and lakes offer water sports of every kind, including scuba-diving, spearfishing, canoeing and wind- or sand-surfing. Low hills inland are made for cycling, horse riding and walking, especially through the Parc Régional d'Armorique.

LOCAL EVENTS:

• Early July Festival of music, song and dance in Rennes.
• 25 July Ste. Anne's celebration at Auray.
• Late July Festival de Cornouaille - traditional 'pardon' held in Quimper.
• July/August Summer festival at Pontivy.
• August Festival de la Musique Sacrée - sacred music in St. Malo.

SOUVENIRS: Brittany has plenty of quality goods to tempt you: wonderfully warm marine woollen sweaters, colourful hand-painted earthenware, puppets and dolls, locally designed jewellry, and an array of typical Breton craft products in brass and wood.

CLIMATE: Brittany's climate is similar to that of Cornwall with mild winters and warm summers. June, July and August attract many artists, who come to paint in the special light.