Page 258 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

A prime tourist destination, Brittany Those who choose to visit at quieter
attracts large numbers of visitors during times of the year will be able to experience
the summer. At the height of the holiday a more intimate aspect of the region. Out
season, which runs through most of July of season, Brittany’s beaches are almost
and August, the population of its coastal deserted; its prehistoric monuments seem
resorts can triple or even quadruple. This even more mysterious; and the region’s
does not detract from the region’s appeal, towns and cities, with their fine architecture
however, since Brittany has much to offer and strong historical associations, can
and is well geared to the needs of visitors. more easily be appreciated.
Tourist Information
All cities, towns and many
villages in Brittany have
offices de tourisme that
provide information on
nearby attractions and free
maps. Most local offices
can also help you find
accommodation and offer
useful guides and information
on walking and cycling routes,
bike-hire shops, traditional
farm food producers that
The bridge leading to Mont-St-Michel, one of Brittany’s most recognizable sights open for direct sales and
so on. Some regional and
département offices also have
When to Go Customs Information well-priced hotel and tour
Some of the best times to visit EU residents travelling to France packages, and most city offices
Brittany are June, when the do not have to pay duties on provide guided tours.
tourist season is just starting, and goods bought for personal use. For basic orientation before
September, by which time many Among the limits generally travelling to France, visit the
holiday-makers have gone accepted as being for personal website of the France Tourism
home. At these times, Bretons use are 800 cigarettes, 90 litres Development Agency;
have more time to welcome of wine and 110 litres of beer. for more in-depth planning,
visitors, and historic monuments Non-EU visitors can claim back contact Brittany Tourism or
are open but not crowded. sales tax (TVA, 20%) on many the individual tourist office
In high summer, Brittany goods if they have spent over of each of the five Breton
offers the pleasures of the €175 in one transaction. Obtain départements. Their websites
beach, lush countryside and a a détaxe form with your receipt provide a huge range of
lively bar and restaurant scene. and take the goods (unopened) detailed information, most
out of the country within three of it available in English.
months. You can stamp détaxe
Visas and Passports forms at PABLO barcode readers,
EU nationals, apart from UK usually near customs in inter-
and Irish citizens who need a national airports. The refund can
passport, can enter France for an be made directly at a refund
unlimited period with an identity counter, or via bank transfer.
card. Visitors from the United Contact the Douanes (customs)
States, Canada, Australia and for more details or see the détaxe
New Zealand need a full passport leaflets in stores and at airports.
for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Non-EU nationals who wish to Travel Safety Advice
work or study in France, or stay
longer than 90 days, should Visitors can get up-to-date
obtain a visa from a French travel safety information from
consulate in their home country the Foreign and Common­
before travelling. Check the wealth Office in the UK, the
French embassy website in your State Department in the US
country and the Foreign Service and the Department of Foreign A tourist office in western Brittany
travel advisories for more details. Affairs and Trade in Australia. displaying a bilingual sign
View of St-Malo Port

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