Les Brousses is a quiet, rural hamlet in the beautiful and varied Cotes d'Armor area of Brittany. Located approximately 15km from the medieval town of Dinan and a 40 minute drive from the walled city of St Malo where you may catch the ferry.

Within easy reach are the beautiful sandy beaches of Sables d'Or, St Jacut, Dinard and St Cast while the excellent beach at Lancieux is noted for its modern wind surfing and water sports which contrast with the local traditions like seaweed collection.

The water tower at Ploubalay is well worth a visit where you can have a snack and a drink whist admiring the views of this beautiful countryside.

Local activities around the area include fishing in the nearby lake, cycling and walking, while the local amenities include a swimming pool, supermarket and also a weekly market where you can purchase the local produce and eat it back in the grounds of your cottage.

The megaliths stretch for 13 kilometres north and east of the town, drive around the regions most western most department - Finistere. The most Breton of all the departments in Brittany, it is dotted with appealing fishing villages and boasts a spectacularly rugged coastline. Visit Quimper, the cultural and artistic capital of the department, take in the important naval port of Brest or dine in the windswept Channel port of Roscoff.

A trip to the mysteriously beautiful Ile d'Ouessant is a must. Lying 20 kilometres from the mainland, it is a great place to observe Breton traditions and customs. The town of Vannes in south-central Brittany is a lively medieval town with some interesting museums and excellent restaurants.

The city of Rennes has been the capital of Brittany since the 16th century. Stop for a coffee in the attractive pedestrianised old city. The Paimpont Forest lies 40 kilometres to the south of Rennes. It is here, according to Arthurian legend, that the young Arthur received the sword Excalibur from the fairy Vivian. Mysterious and enchanting, Brittany is an unforgettable holiday destination.

History

Occupying the rugged north western tip of France, Brittany is the wildest and most untamed of all the French regions. Buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, the coastline is strewn with lighthouses, rocky coves, windswept heaths, sheltered beaches and charismatic seaside villages.

Brittany did not become part of France until 1547. This independence, along with its relative isolation from the rest of the country, has created a distinctive Breton culture, language and heritage closely related to those of Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland.

Brittany is the most popular summer resort area in France after the Cote d'Azur. The un spoilt white sandy beaches, soaring cliffs and offshore islands attract thousands of tourists each year. Some of the finest beaches in the province include those at Carnac, Quiberon, Saint Malo and Dinard. Dinard has been a seaside resort since the turn of the century. Its belle Ãpoque mansions, old-fashioned bathing tents, and elegant cedar trees transport you effortlessly back in time. Carnac is home to some of the worlds most important megalithic sites.

Health care

No requirements although it is advisable to ensure that tetanus and polio are up to date. Free or reduced-cost emergency health treatment is available, in most cases on production of form E111.

Weather Report

A temperate climate in the north; north-western areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter, below is a listing of the average daily temperatures for the region.