MAISON DE GRANITI stayed at the house with three friends, and it accommodated us all comfortably with its three bedrooms (one with two twin beds) and 21/2 baths. The main floor has a dining room with a table that easily seats eight, a living area with a fireplace and comfy sofas, a kitchen with all the tools befitting its chef-owner, and a private stone terrace off the eat-in kitchen. Price: $1,600 for six nights; for more information, go to www.maison degranit.com.

AREA HIGHLIGHTS

Île-de-Bréhat, also known as the Island of Flowers, is a car-free island (actually two joined by a bridge at low tide) about a mile off the northern coast of Brittany. Day-trippers take the ferry from Pointe de l'Arcouest. Hiking, walking and biking trails abound among the stone cottages, pretty lighthouse and beautiful blooms that inspired artists like Matisse and Gauguin.

The Pink Granite Coast is famous for the color of its rocks as well as its unusual rock formations. Some of the best are viewed along a popular seaside path between Perros-Guirec and the port of Ploumanac'h Perros-Guirec is also a favorite with families for its sandy beaches.

Perros-Guirec or Port-Blanc both offer another amazing experience: boat tours to see the Sept-Îles archipelago, a bird sanctuary where rare puffins can often be seen from spring through July.

Brittany is the birthplace of thalassotherapy, a spa treatment that uses the sea's water and its byproduct, seaweed. Plenty of places offer treatments, including the Grand Hôtel des Bains in Locquirec, recommended by Lucia Watson.

Though about 100 miles away, the walled city of St.-Malo is a popular beach resort and tourist town, loaded with shops and restaurants. Food lovers shouldn't miss Jean-Yves Bordier's La Maison du Beurre for the best butter in France, possibly the world; watch the master at work and then visit a butter "museum" in the back.

For more information, try www.us.france guide.com, www.tourisme bretagne.com and www.ville-treguier.fr.

DONNA TABBERT LONG