Many people say that Brittany is as alike to Cornwall as Devon is to Normandy. The rugged landscape of Cornwall is certainly very similar in the North of Brittany but to the south around the gulf of Morbihan are vast beaches and cosmopolitan areas more reminiscent of the Cote D’azure than Cornwall especially around the resort of Carnac where prices are staggeringly expensive.

Coastal Brittany and inland farming communities seem to be separated and prices even a few miles inland drop dramatically – the coast, say the farmers, is for tourists! Of course the inhabitants of the coastal towns disagree, saying that fishing is the lifeblood of Brittany and tourism, just a coincidence to many! Brittany’s indented coastline is more than 750 miles long, battered by tides of up to 50 feet in some places. Naval bases and dockyards are also present in addition to the charming small fishing harbours. Inland, the country side is a mixture of hard farming land, forest and moors rising to nearly 1250 feet at Trevezel Rock.

The climate is warmer than most of the UK with plenty of palms just a little further south to remind you you are in a different country. Brittany shares Celtic connections with Cornwall and Wales and it is packed full of menhirs, dolmens and megaliths. (Beware when buying anywhere near even a modest standing stone – your planning, should you wish to extend or alter your building is likely to be refused!)

Brittany sees itself almost as a separate country from the rest of France. Goods are said to be imported into Brittany from France and correspondingly exported from Brittany back to its neighbour. The people are friendly towards the English, if baffled at why we should want to buy ruined farm buildings. Most of the buildings are built from the hard granite of the region.