Finistère Geography
It’s easy to see why Finistère has one of the biggest expat communities in France. The Atlantic coastline and warm, humid climate means surfing is a major draw, while the countryside flora and fauna make it a haven for nature lovers. What’s more, its proximity to the UK makes keeping in touch with family and friends a breeze for UK expats. Regular ferry services run between Portsmouth, Poole and Southampton to Roscoff.
Finistère is the most westerly department in France. The word ‘Finistère’ derives from the Latin phrase for ‘end of the world’, which is apt for the department’s spectacular rocky coastline. From towering cliff tops to white sandy beaches, you’ll never tire of the contrasting landscapes and extraordinary scenery in Finistère.
Historic towns
Roscoff’s attractive historic centre is built around the Church Notre-Dame-de-Croaz Batz. You’ll also find botanical gardens, historic monuments and an active ferry port. From here, you can hop on a boat trip to the popular island of Ile-de-Batz, where you can explore the pretty coastline or visit the vibrant town of Landerneau with its unusual 16th-century bridge. You can also take a trip to Chateau de Kerjean, a fortified Renaissance castle at the centre of a 20-hectare woodland park in Saint-Vougay.
The historic town of Quimperle provides a gateway to southern Finistère. Set at the confluence of the rivers Isole, Elle and Laita, this peaceful ancient town is set around a church and full of historic treasures including religious buildings, Romanesque architecture and cobbled streets.
The scenic riverside town of Pont-Aven is a magnet for artists and painters. With its historic water mills, unique Tremolo chapel and interesting art museum, this is an inspiring place to spend a few hours.
Diverse landscapes
Head west to explore the wilder regions of Finistère, from enchanting coastal scenery to intriguing hidden villages. The village of Le Conquet is a departure port for boats en-route to Ile Molene and Ile Ouessant, both tiny islands off the western tip of Finistère. Much of western Finistère is inside Armorique Regional Park. From here, you can take in magnificent views of the headlands, coast, towns and villages, including Pointe de Dinan, Pointe de Pen-Hir and the quaint fishing village of Camaret.
Beautiful villages
If you want to check out one of the most beautiful villages in France, take a trip to Locronan, which is located at the head of the Baie de Douarnenez. This village became famous for its hemp-weaving activities during the Renaissance period. It has an iconic Gothic church, which was built in the 15th century and is home to village founder Saint Ronan’s tomb. To the west of Locronan is the traditional town of Pont-Croix. You can take a walk through the attractive cobbled streets to find the Collegiate Church Notre-Dame de Roscudon, Le Marquisat Museum and the old port. Another option is Le Faou, a pretty harbour village with many authentic half-timbered houses.
Coastal resorts
One of the most popular places in the department is Morgat. Once a quiet sardine fishing port, it was developed into a beach resort in the early 1900s, and families have been flocking here ever since. The long sandy beach is protected by the bay, so it’s much calmer than other beaches in Finistère, and there are numerous cafes, restaurants and art galleries. During the high season, there are evening markets every Tuesday in July and August. Morgat’s rocky coastline and Grottes de Morgat make it an interesting place to take a boat trip.
Another popular choice for beach lovers is Benodet, cited as the 5-star beach resort in Brittany. You’ll find it at the mouth of the River Odet, known as the prettiest river in France.
Pointe du Raz is a classified Grand Site of France. This rocky promontory in the south-west of Finistère. A popular hiking spot, the cliffs here are a staggering 70 metres above sea level. You’ll find numerous coastal paths to explore and on a clear day you might be able to spot the symbolic Ar-Men lighthouse and the Ile de Sein.
Douarnenez boasts four harbours and an attractive bay. You can visit the maritime museum (Port-Musee) to view a variety of authentic boats and ships.
Diving and Sailing
The International Diving Centre and Nautical Center of Glenans make the Glenan islands a popular choice for diving and sailing enthusiasts, but you’ll also find an array of beautiful beaches and walking trails. You can set off along the 1 km wooden trail around Saint-Nicolas to enjoy views of the Chambre and coastline. The islands are also home to a unique flower, the Glenan Narcissus, which usually flowers between March and May.
Outdoor adventures
Away from the coast, you can visit the charming Parc d’Armorique, including the unspoilt craggy mountain range of Monts d’Arree. The ideal spot for nature lovers, you can walk, hike or cycle through the heathland to discover its surprising landscapes.
Want to learn about Finistère’s myths and legends? Head to the enchanting Huelgoat Forest, which has inspired many local folklore tales. Look out for the Grotte d’Artus, the final resting place of King Arthur, king of the Bretons.
For majestic sea views, take a trip to Menez-Hom. Hike to the top and you’ll be more than 1,000ft above sea level!
There are many dog-friendly walks and trails to explore in Finistère, so it’s a great choice if you’re thinking of taking your pet to France.
What Cities are in Finistère?
Some of the best places to live in Finistère include Brest, Quimper, Morlaix and Landerneau.
Typical homes in the department are detached houses. If you want to invest in a renovation project, there are many affordable ancient houses on the market.
Traditional homes in Finistère include characterful Breton chaumières with thatched, sloping roofs, narrow living quarters and a long, rectangular shape. Chaumières are usually built from clay, wood and stones.
Longere houses are often found in rural areas of Brittany. Offering fantastic countryside views, these rectangular-shaped homes are built from granite and have a thatched or slate roof.
Coastal homes have tiny windows that are often adorned with intricate mouldings. Doors on coastal homes tend to be low and narrow.
Brest
This modern town was hastily rebuilt after the devastating bombings of the Second World War. The Brest International Maritime Festival runs every four years, and Brest is also home to the Musee de la Marine, a naval museum inside an imposing castle. The local population is estimated to be around 140,000. Around 18% of people living in this lively town are aged 65 or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €150,000 for a three-bedroom apartment in Brest.
Quimper
This important cathedral town has an interesting network of medieval streets. The most notable town in southern Finistère, this authentically French town has a population of approximately 65,000. Around 21% of the people living in Quimper are aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €350,000 for a three-bedroom villa in Quimper.
Pont-l'Abbé
With its rugged chateaux and stone buildings, this quiet port town is distinctively Breton. It has many boutiques and art galleries and a weekly market every Thursday. You can spot many of the local ladies wearing tall, white lace headdresses known as coiffes at the annual Festival des Brodeuses (Embroiderers Festival Association), which takes place every July. Pont-l’Abbe has an estimated population of 15,000. Around 30% of people living here are aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €230,000 for a centrally-located modern apartment.
Concarneau
This charming fortified town is an important French fishing port. Located in the south of the department, it’s a characterful seaside town with many historic buildings and cultural attractions, including the Marinarium and a maritime heritage museum. Concarneau has a population of approximately 20,000, with around 30% of people aged over 65 years. You can expect to pay in the region of €425,000 for a four-bedroom apartment close to the port.
Morlaix
If you fancy living in an authentic Breton half-timbered home, take a look at properties in Morlaix. This active port is close to the Monts d’Arree mountain range and has a fascinating medieval centre. The estimated population in Morlaix is 15,000, with around 25% of people aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay around €410,000 for a four-bedroom villa in Morlaix.
Landerneau
Landerneau sits between Cornouaille and Leon. One of the main attractions of this historic town is the famous Pont de Rohan. This vaulted arch bridge is the only one in Europe with residences upon it. The town offers fascinating architecture, charming riverbanks and a unique heritage. Landerneau has an estimated population of 16,000, with 23% of residents aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €250,000 for a four-bedroom villa here.
Cost of Living in Finistère
The cost of living in Finistère is generally accessible to most. Depending on where you choose to live, you can expect to pay less than the national average to buy a property and live in Finistère.
For example, according to the Economic Research Institute, the cost of living in Brest is 4% less than the national average. Housing in Brest is very affordable, and the cost of food, transport and healthcare are all more affordable than the national average. The cost of living (including rent) for a single person living in Brest is around €1060 per month. For a family of four, this figure rises to around €2500 (including rent). The price to rent a one-bedroom city-centre apartment is likely to be around €450.
According to livingcost.org, you can expect to pay around €45 for dinner in a restaurant for two people in Brest. A cappuccino will cost you about €2.50, and a fast-food meal costs around €9.00. When it comes to grocery shopping, you will probably pay about €7 for bread, milk and eggs.
If you’re looking for a renovation project, Finistère is an excellent choice. There are many affordable ancient houses in need of restoration on the market. Take a look at properties for sale in Finistère here.
Weather and Air Quality in Finistère
Finistère is categorised as having an oceanic climate. Although it is warm and temperate, rainfall levels are high all year round. February is the wettest month of the year, with an average rainfall of 4mm. The warmest months of the year are June, July, August and September, when the average high temperature is between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius. The coldest months of the year are December, January, February and March, when the average low temperature is between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius. Snow is unusual, but occasionally falls during the cooler months.
The air quality in Finistère is generally rated between good and moderate.
History and Culture in Finistère
With more than 1000 km of stunning coastline, Finistère has a rich maritime heritage and a strong Breton identity. There are dozens of fishing villages, coastal islands and historic towns to explore. Many expats are enticed by the countryside of central Finistère, thanks to its atmosphere, landscape and ever-changing weather.
Fishing remains one of the main industries in Finistère. Many of the ports in the department welcome visitors and some offer guided tours. Le Guilvinec remains one of the most important ports in France. Coastal boats arrive here daily at 5pm, when langoustines and other catches are unloaded and auctioned off at the local fish market (criée).
Seafood dishes and plateaux de fruits de mer are the local speciality. Sweet and savoury crepes (galettes) are another favourite, which can be eaten for any meal in Finistère.
If you’re thinking of living in Finistère, it’s important that you learn the French language - and maybe even some of the traditional Breton language. Although many local people speak English, it’s always best to know some of the local lingo - especially if you plan to work here.