A rugged and natural region that juts into the Atlantic to form the westernmost point of France, Brittany offers a distinctive experience based around its own Celtic heritage and the strong sense of identity it retains from having once been its own separate kingdom, distinct from the French crown. Today, the Bretons still actively maintain their maritime traditions, making it a first-rate destination for those who enjoy sailing, old boats or simply tasting the freshest of seafood brought in with the daily catch. Travel to the small port town of Cancale, the pearl of the Emerald Coast, to eat oysters harvested from within view of the harbour, or navigate further along the coast to explore the walled town of Saint-Malo, the birthplace of Chateaubriand and a former stronghold for pirates making forays into the surrounding seas.