Brittany's culinary specialities: a gourmet journey not to be missed
Brittany (and Finistère in particular) is a region rich in flavour and culinary tradition. The region offers a wide range of products from the land and sea, and a variety of specialities to discover on your next visit!
Pancakes, a staple of Breton cuisine
When we say Brittany, we of course think of the crêpes ! These timeless classics are part of the Breton culinary tradition.
In Finistère, and throughout Basse-Bretagne (which also includes Morbihan), the word "crêpe" is used for savoury recipes (the dough is made from buckwheat flour) and sweet recipes (made from wheat flour). The word 'galette' is used in the eastern regions of Brittany (Ille-et-Vilaine and Côtes d'Armor).
The typical fillings are ham, egg and cheese for savoury crêpes, and butter-sugar and salted butter caramel for sweet crêpes, but any combination is possible! Creperies vie with each other in imagination to offer ever more original and tasty recipes, so don't hesitate to push open the door of your local establishment!
Another speciality is kig ha farz, a dish made with vegetables, meat and buckwheat pastry (farz). It is sometimes called the "Breton pot au feu". Try it in local restaurants!
Kouign amann, the king of Breton desserts
It's the most famous pastry in Brittany and beyond! This delicious dessert, which originated in Douarnenez, is made from bread dough that has been folded over several times and then moulded, containing a generous amount of butter for a final texture that's both crunchy and melt-in-the-mouth! The preparation of kouign amann requires special expertise, so choose one made by hand!
If you like desserts, we also recommend you try the Breton cakeAnother local classic, plain or filled (often with salted butter caramel, prunes or raspberries), as well as far, a delicious treat! If you're feeling peckish, treat yourself to palets bretons or galettes bretonnes (Breton cakes)and other typical, not-to-be-missed recipes!
The best cakes can be found in traditional biscuit factories, which often open their doors to visitors for tours of their workshops, so don't hesitate to drop in on your next holiday!
Seafood and fresh fish
The Breton coastline is full of seafood products Lobsters, oysters, mussels, scallops, langoustines, spider crabs... and lots of local fish. The ports of Concarneau and Guilvinec focus on inshore fishing, so don't hesitate to stroll along the quays and watch the cargoes being unloaded on their return from the fishing grounds.
You can sample these treasures of the sea in the region's many fish restaurants or buy them at local markets.
Emblematic drinks
But what can you drink (in moderation) with all these Breton delicacies? At the crêperie, you won't want to miss out on cider* ! Brut, doux, demi-sec, you'll have to try it to find out which one you prefer! Many cider makers, most of them small-scale, produce excellent vintages, so pay them a visit!
You can also try the chouchen*Breton mead, whose origins go back several centuries. This traditional drink is made by fermenting honey and water. Sweet and syrupy, chouchen can be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestive, and is available in a variety of variations (adding herbs, spices, etc.).
Brittany has many products that you won't find anywhere else! Cakes, seafood, drinks, crêpes... and many other specialities await you in the local restaurants or markets, of which there are many around the Les Prés Verts aux 4 Sardines campsite! So why not take a few excursions to discover Breton gastronomy during your next stay?
* alcohol is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation
