Manoir du Hilguy, Brittany, France

Surrounded on three sides by sea, La Cornouaille - on the west coast of Brittany - is France's 'Land's End'. Celtic in tradition, history and myth (but not in climate!), the region relies mainly on tourism and fishing.

A feast of local produce

A feast of local produce

A regular trip from Le Manoir to the local port and fish auction rooms at Haliotika, Le Guilvinec, King quiz Cidrerie + Odet River on Thursday afternoons.

On Wednesday Qpei + Loc Maria + Odet.

The town of Quimper is also close by, with a range of museums to suit all tastes. They range from fine and modern arts through to local history, earthenware and a distillery.

Fish markets, trawlers and museums

Fish markets, trawlers and museums

The ancient walled port town of Concarneau, a short drive south east of Quimper, actually manages to combine tourism and fishing. It maintains a sizeable fleet, a thriving fish market and has a fascinating exhibition at the Musée de la Pêche (Museum of Fishing).

Local firm, 'A l'Assaut des Remparts', offers regular, guided trips here, stopping en route to explore the old town and harbour, the bustling quayside criée (fish auction) and a working trawler.

In addition, the local Chamber of Commerce provides regular accompanied tours to other nearby ports, enabling visitors to watch the ships unloading their day's catch.

Celtic influences, from whiskey to the bagadoù

Celtic influences, from whiskey to the bagadoù

Half an hour's drive south, Penmarch consists of three parishes: Penmarch itself, Kérity and St-Guénolé, home to the most advanced, computerised fish auction in Europe. All of which goes to prove that you can't travel far within Brittany without encountering either a fishy reference, or a Celtic tie-in.

Here, you'll find the latter in the form of the fine whiskeys (a legacy of the many Irish monks who frequented the region through the ages) and the 'bagadoù', the Breton form of the Scottish pipe band. It's a surprisingly harmonious mix of bagpipes, organ and often violin, hurdy-gurdy and harp.

Each year, Brittany's 8,000-plus bagadoù musicians appear at more than 300 fest-noz (Breton festivals), and upwards of 4,000 concerts at a raft of venues, from the most intimate concert-cafés to some of Europe's larger parks and stadiums.

A natural park and, of course, a castle

A natural park and, of course, a castle

The Crozon Peninsula in Finistère is about 45 minutes north east of Plogastel St. Germain. Part of the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique (PNRA), it runs from the Arree Mountains in the east to the coastal scenery of the Presqu'ile de Crozon to the west.

Slightly further north again, the Musée de la Marine (along with the Préfecture Maritime) is housed in the 13th-century Château de Brest. East of the castle and its massive round towers is the Cours Dajot, which offers the best view of the Rade de Brest, one of the world's finest anchorages.