But why on earth Britons are still so fond of Brittany?

The reasons could come down to five: familiarity, proximity, reasonable real estate prices, landscape and lifestyle.

Since Roman times or even before them, British and Bretons have had some ancestors, leaders, wars (sometimes enemies, sometimes allies) and peaces in common. Brittany still shows evidence of its British influences: the Breton (do you know that Bretons and Brits can quite understand each other?), which is a Celtic language close to Welsh and Cornish and the coast with its fishing villages so similar to Cornwallesque ones. Even the weather is quite similar, although better and warmer especially in southern Brittany (thanks to the Gulf Stream!) while central Brittany offers a mild continental climate. This sense of familiarity could persuade Britons who want to settle down in France without changing their culture radically. In addition, Brits are wholeheartedly welcomed by the Bretons who recognise the benefits they have brought to Brittany, e.g. by turning ruins into charming B&Bs and making the region even more attractive.

With Breton airports (St-Malo Dinard, Rennes, Brest, Lorient, etc.) deserving more than 20 airports throughout the UK and Ireland and ferry companies crossing the Channel every day, Brittany is just a stone's throw away. Thanks to ferries, you don't need to rent any car on the spot if driving your own car on the right side doesn't bother you! Brittany also benefits from the introduction of low-cost airlines which allow you to get to your holiday home for a song. Development of local airports makes less-known Breton areas more accessible for potential estate purchasers. What about discovering the surroundings of Rennes, capital of Brittany, known for its lovely half-timpered houses, its investment in culture (do you know the music festival ‘Les Transmusicales'?) and its large student population? As a new real estate target, it's still full of affordable properties from a Snow White's cosy cottage to a Rapunzel's manoir in ruin or the other way round.

Finding your dream house isn't that difficult if you ask yourself the right questions and first of all: where? You have choosen Brittany, good, because, as a rural region, real estate prices are still reasonable compared to other French areas. Furthermore, prices of rural properties remain stable, rising more steadily, not as much prone to inflation when the market is booming (or to deflation when it's not) as urban properties. Now, where in Brittany? Near the walls of Saint-Malo, close to the yachting bases? In a quite hamlet with just 54 inhabitants (a farmer, his wife, their son, their dog and 50 sheeps)? Or maybe in (front of) a light house near la Pointe du Raz in the Finistere? Don't forget that inland properties are often cheaper than houses on the seashore, so, do you really need beach within walking distance or do you prefer the peace of the countryside? Anyway, Brittany boasts 25% of France's entire coastline so nowhere in Brittany is that far from the sea. And then, how big a property do you want? In which condition? New build or falling down? For instance you can buy near Carhaix a stone house with 3 bedrooms and a shelter for only 153,800 euros (ref 10623). If you prefer Loudeac area which is more close to St Malo ferries you will enjoy buying a 2 bedroom stone house with an outbuilding and 1500sqm land for 102,600 euros (ref 2010). If you like both Normandy and Brittany and desire to benefit from both regions, then why not looking near Combourg in Ille et Vilaine. You can find a 3 bedroom stone house with an outbuilding for 93,000 euros (ref 5427).

Whatever the specification, it seems that Brittany can match it. You are seeking an isolated stone cottage which stands the test of time and storms? Go west to the Finistere. The Finistere is at the very western part of Brittany. Its wild landscape appeals nature and birds lovers who can go for a walk in a nature reserve or cycle alongside the coastline. The Finistere is also the area where Breton is the most spoken and where cultural events take place year round, such as the major music ‘Festival des Vieilles Charrues' in Carhaix ( literally: Old Ploughs Festival). Or maybe you would prefer the Cotes-d'Armor and its lovely Pink Granit Rose? You will be mesmerized by this enchanting landscape carved by waves and wind where rocks seem to be alive. Furthermore, seabird watchers could catch a glimpse of puffins or northern gannets as a wild and protected archipelago stands not that far from the coast. If you don't want to be a loner, head for Saint-Malo with its yachting bases and its shops, or Dinard, a posh seaside resort adored by Brits. And don't miss Dinan, especially its historical centre, a real gem! You're seeking mildness and outdoor activities? Surely you can find that in the Morbihan. The Morbihan is the southern area of Brittany and means ‘small sea' because of the Gulf of Morbihan. There is a mild climate year round, hot and sunny from May to October, so you can do outdoor activities at any times. The Morbihan boasts a rich natural and historical heritage: 905km of indented coast alternating cliffs, estuaries and fine sand beaches, megalithic sites or religious buildings. Ruffiac, near Malestroit, was a priory of the abbay of Redon in the Middle Ages and Ploermel, peaceful village on the edge of the enchanted Broceliande Forest, home of Merlin the Magician, was the city of the Ducs de Bretagne and is known as the battlefield of the Combat of the Thirty. From the charming seaside to the deepest countryside or the medieval sites, Brittany offers a large variety of landscapes which can satisfy each taste and entertain the magic atmosphere that was born in this region with the numerous ancestral legends and myths that are transmitted from generation to generation.

Brittany's traditions are so various and important to the inhabitants that this region could have been a country on its own, as the Breton way of life and institutions are different than in the rest of the country. For instance: in some schools there is an educational system called Diwan that teaches Breton from an extremely young age. Breton is only spoken to children between three to six years old. Then, the instruction is bilingual in the elementary school, then trilingual (Breton-French-English) in middle school. All teachers are native speakers and instruct the lessons which deal with English or American history in English. The use of the total immersion concept makes very talented and fluent students very quickly. That makes a paradox between the idea that we have from the Bretons who are self-orientated on their own tradition and culture and their multi-language education that shows an open-mind on their country, and on Great Britain.

 As for the food, the most famous Breton meal is ‘galettes' with cider.

The galettes are salty and made of buckwheat flour. They are usually filled with ham, cheese and eggs (the typical ‘galette complete'). As for the dessert, the butter and sugar crepe is the most classical (though the most famous nowadays is Nutella crepe). Another traditional Breton dish is the seafood platter, which is more served on the seaside and varies depending on the season and the nature of fishing.

The Bretons have their own traditional music and dances. The bands are local and use traditional Breton instruments, such as the diatonic accordion, the bombarde, the pennywhislte, the fiddle and the biniou. Recently, these instruments have been combined with electric guitars and drums, adding rock influence to the traditional Celtic music. The traditional Breton dances can either be very simple or complex. They consist exclusively of short footwork patterns; most dances are relatively learned and remembered. They are usually danced in a circle, holding hands. Each dance has also a name, such as the Andro and the Scottish. All these cultural aspects make the specificity and the originality of Brittany which is always to be discovered.

Brittany offers beautiful landscapes and places linked to its history and common points with Great Britain throughout the Celtic origins and the geographic proximity. The centre of Brittany is a calm place to buy a house in. You will find there the quiet of nature as well as beautiful authentic houses or manors. Properties cost less when they are far from the shore or from the main cities. For example French people do not enjoy to buy properties located more than 20mn away from a town thus if you don't mind a journey of 30mn then you can get a nice property at a low market value. If you are looking forward to buying a house in France, buying a house in Brittany is still the best choice for all these reasons. Don't hesitate!

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