Bretagne

Bretagne, also known as Brittany in English, is a region of northwestern France and a historic duchy. It forms a peninsula projecting into the Atlantic Ocean, bounded by the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south, with its eastern border adjoining Normandy and Pays de la Loire. The regional capital is Rennes. The four departments are Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor, Morbihan, and Ille-et-Vilaine.

Its coastline is diverse, featuring rugged headlands, long sandy beaches, and numerous islands, while the interior includes moors, forests, and rivers. The region has about 3.3 million inhabitants, with major urban centers including Rennes, Brest, Quimper, Lorient, and Saint-Malo.

Historically the area originated with Celtic peoples and became the independent Duchy of Brittany in the Middle Ages. It remained distinct until its union with the French crown in 1532 through the Edict of Union. Since then, it has retained a strong regional identity and maritime tradition.

Breton (Brezhoneg), a Brythonic language, is traditionally spoken in parts of Brittany alongside French, with bilingual signage common in many areas. Breton culture is expressed through music and dance (bombarde and biniou), festivals, legends, and a cuisine famous for crepes, galettes, seafood, and salted butter.

Economic activity combines agriculture, fishing, and agri-food industries with growing services and tourism. The coast attracts visitors to medieval towns such as Saint-Malo and Vannes, historic ports, and megalithic sites like Carnac. Brittany’s regional administration operates within the French state, with Rennes as its capital.