I probably don't need to reiterate that I know and love the peninsula at any time of year. Summer and early autumn are obviously the best times for swimming, water sports, cycling or hiking – the last two summers have been very sunny and hot by Brittany's standards, despite its reputation for being rainy. Summer is certainly the best time for a family holiday with young children as well.

However, if you want to admire the immense power and beauty of the sea, I would recommend late autumn and winter. Bracing yourself against a storm up on the Pointe de Pen-Hir as the spray flies up over the cliffs is a wonderful experience! Winter is the best time to experience the sea so close at hand – not for fair-weather tourists, but for people who want to literally get in touch with the elements. However, Brittany also gets an impressive amount of rain over winter – from a fine mist reminiscent of a tropical hothouse to needles lashing into your face. This place has taught me to know and appreciate the wide variety of rain like nowhere else. On clear winter's days, a wonderful pastel-coloured light hangs over the Atlantic. This is definitely the best time of year for stunning sunsets. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the temperature rarely drops below zero here and I would call winter chilly but not really cold. However, be prepared to self-cater if you visit out of season as lots of restaurants and crêperies close at this time of year. The peninsula is very quiet in winter with hardly any tourists – ideal if you want to find some peace and quiet, explore the great outdoors and establish or cultivate contacts with the locals.