Holidays in Brittany

Overview

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Unforgettable sunsets. Glorious beaches. Picture-postcard villages and historic cities. Not-to-mention bustling local markets, numerous pavement cafés, mouth-watering crêperies and welcoming hostelries serving thirst quenching cerviose, chilled ciders and crisp local wines…

So near and yet so deliciously foreign, it’s no wonder so many families decide to spend their holidays in Brittany. Although just a stone’s throw from the Channel ports, this wonderful region of Northern France offers a particularly mild climate and something for everyone, all whilst providing a truly authentic French holiday.

With the longest coastline in France, the Bretagne Peninsula is touched by the waters of both the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean and is punctuated by numerous lighthouses that provide breathtaking vantage points over the surrounding headlands as well as out to sea. Mile upon mile of golden, sandy beaches and contrasting pink granite and emerald outcrops combine to deliver wonderful opportunities for glorious bucket and spade holidays, as well as countless rock-pooling adventures. Many of the sheltered bays along the Bretagne coastline frequently play host to sailing regattas in the summer months while, out at sea, fisherman quietly seek their daily catch.

Travelling inland from the Bretagne coastline, Brittany’s lush green interior reveals peaceful hamlets, spectacular heathlands, ancient forests and highly imposing châteaux.

Rich in culture and folklore, the region’s medieval past can best be discovered at Quimper, its ancient capital. Throughout Brittany, however, it’s likely you’ll see traditional Breton costume and lace headdresses being worn.

Close to the sea, Carnac is famous for its prehistoric standing stones, while to the east lies the Gulf of Morbihan, an inland sea scattered with tiny islands offering some of the most beautiful scenery in Brittany. Soft sandy beaches and calm waters fringe the coastline from Carnac to La Baule, known as Brittany’s St Tropez.

With a wide range of campsites, apartments and activities, you can trust Keycamp to turn your Brittany holiday into an amazing experience.

Places to visit

Concarneau

Concarneau really is a town of contrasts; one that successfully combines the third largest fishing port in France with a popular seaside resort as well as a fascinating walled ‘inner town’ complete with granite ramparts. If you get the chance, stroll around the harbour. It’s more than likely the larger fishing boats moored in front of you will be destined for the waters of West Africa for a catch of tunny fish. And if all that leaves you feeling a little hungry, make your next stop one of the many crêperies.

Auray

Taking its name from the river that it sits alongside, Auray greets visitors with an enthralling maze of cobbled streets. A medieval river port, Auray boasts a picture postcard harbour and is steeped in history. The town is also renowned locally for the fierce ‘Battle of Auray’, fought in 1364. A trip to the St Goustan Quarter, a picturesque square of 15th Century houses, provides a wonderful opportunity for photographs. While no trip to Auray would be complete without exploring the wonderful markets on Monday morning and Sunday and stocking up on fresh local produce.

Beg-Meil

Located amongst scented pines and twisting pathways that lead to sleepy dunes and wonderful sandy beaches, Beg-Meil (translation: the Point of the Mill) just has to be the perfect spot for a family holiday. Oiseaux Beach and La Cale Beach nestle in rocky coves, while both the Sèmaphore Beach and Grande Beach are reached from the dunes. A ferry crosses the Baie de la Forêt to Concarneau and St Nicholas Island, and you can sail to Quimper along the River Odet.

Pont Aven

Once the residence of Gauguin, this pretty riverside town is today home to around 40 art galleries. The place to head for however, is the town’s museum, the Musèe de Pont Aven, for a quick history lesson into Gauguin and his peers. Pont Aven has been popular with artists since the 19th Century, and is where some of Gauguin’s work may be seen. The banks of the Aven are well-worth exploring, as is the Bois d’Amour and the 16th Century Trèmelo Breton country chapel with its wooden figure of Christ.

Pont l’Abbé

Quite literally, ‘the bridge of the abbey’, the busy market town of Pont l’Abbè is the capital of the Bigouden region, with the traditional Bigouden headdress and costume being worn during the many markets and fairs. The town is also famous for the manufacture of dolls dressed in the various regional costumes of France. Younger holidaymakers will love exploring the 14th Century fortress, while the Notre Dame des Carmes is the former chapel of a Carmelite monastery.

Carnac

One of the world’s great prehistoric sites, Carnac is home to some 3,000 prehistoric stones that stretch over two miles of heathland. The mystery remains as to how these stones were placed in lines with such precision. Carnac is also a lovely seaside town with a gently shelving beach.

La Baule

Perfect for sandcastles, this lively seaside town is the region’s very own St Tropez and has a vast crescent of south facing sandy beach. For the grown-ups, the elegant tree-lined avenues are full of smart shops, cafés and restaurants.

St Malo

Not just a ferry port, St Malo in fact attracts most of its visitors to its walled old town, whose busy streets house restaurants, bars and shops. Climbing the ramparts is a good way to take a break from all this, and with vast sandy beaches it’s a great family stop off, on your way to or from your chosen parc. There is also the Grand Aquarium to consider as a good way to pass the time before you depart.

Quiberon

Located on the Quiberon Peninsula, this lively, popular resort boasts a huge sandy beach, a pretty harbour and some superb seafood restaurants. From Port Maria you can take a boat trip to Belle-lle, Hoet and Hoedic. Port Maria is also a busy fishing harbour, once renowned for sardines, and is the perfect place to buy fresh fish.

Mont St Michel

Reached by a causeway, this magnificent gothic monastery is one of the most famous sights in France, visited by 3 ½ million people each year. There are 4 museums to discover and of course the abbey itself, which dates back to 708. You will also find shops and restaurants within the village, plus great views of the bay. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the abbey is open to visitors every day except 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

Places to visit

Armorica Regional Nature Park

Established in 1969, the Armorica Regional Nature Park stretches over 1,720 sq km and combines cliffs, beaches and rolling countryside. The park's many amenities recognise the rich character of this fascinating landscape that is habited by otters, beavers and salmon.

Brière Regional Nature Park

Renowned for fishing and wildlife, the Brière Regional Nature Park comprises wet meadows, reed marshes, as well as a maze of canals that are just waiting to be explored. The second biggest marsh in France, the Brière covers 40000 hectares of low land, and has been registered as a Natural Park since 1970. For the best way to discover the park, take a guided trip in a flat-bottomed boat.

Pont Scorff Zoo

Open all year round, the zoo features many animals including lions, elephants and giraffes, whilst there are also bird and sea lion shows to enjoy during the summer. Located near to Lorient and within easy driving distance of many of our parcs including Arzano and Quimper.

Vannes

The medieval capital of Brittany, this walled city near Arradon has half-timbered houses and an aquarium that’s popular with families. Be sure to visit the pretty Port de Plaisance as well as Port St Vincent, the original gateway into the town from the sea. With numerous pavement cafés, you’ll find ample opportunities to relax over freshly ground coffee and watch the world go by.

Places to visit

Locronan

A perfectly preserved medieval Breton village, with granite buildings and craft workshops set around a cobbled Renaissance square, Locronan was once the home of the Breton canvas making industry for the supply of sailcloth. More recently, however, the town square was turned into a ‘Wessex village’ for the Roman Polanski film, Tess. To see the architecture of Locronan at its best, stay until after tea, when the town falls quiet.

Quimper

Nestling in a picturesque valley where the Rivers Steir and Odet converge, the old market town of Quimper oozes Celtic charm and is the place to purchase traditional costumes, ‘musique’ and literature. The old capital of Finistère, Quimper is relaxed and easy going. It’s also the place for people-watching and café hopping. Make sure you visit the 13th Century St Coretin Cathedral, the Musée des Beaux Arts and the bustling Halles St Françios Market (Monday to Saturday).

Pointe du Raz

Pinch yourself! With panoramic views and dramatic rock formations, you could be in Cornwall. Most important of all, however, take your camera. This rocky outcrop was celebrated by both Flaubert and Victor Hugo and comprises two rocky peaks (Pointe du Raz and Pointe du Van) and is spectacular whatever the weather or time of year.

Josselin

You’ll stare in awe when you first glimpse Josselin’s imposing fairytale castle. But after exploring this wonderful château and its idyllic surroundings, spend some time in the half-timbered town centre, then perhaps the Musèe des Poupèes, museum of dolls. The nearby Kerguèhennec modern sculpture park is packed with fascinating works by sculptors from across Europe and is also well worth a visit.

Belle Ile

From Quiberon, catch a boat to the largest and most beautiful of the islands by the Gulf of Morbihan, a favourite haunt of the actress Sarah Bernhardt. The rugged coastline is dotted with harbours, traditional Breton houses and picturesque sandy coves.

Rhuys Peninsula

This beautiful area near St Gildas is famous for its good beaches, a medieval castle, and wonderful Mediterranean plants such as fig trees and camellias.

Guérande

It’s worth visiting Guérande, and indeed the Guérande Peninsula, simply to view the salt marshes and saltpans that made this area famous. Historic Guérande, however, has so much more to offer. A stroll around the town’s 15th Century Ramparts is a must. While if you plan your visit during early July or August, it’s likely you’ll witness folk music and dancing, with locals dressed in the traditional costumes of salt workers and farmers. Allow time to visit the Castle Gate Museum as well as the 12th Century St Aubin church. Guérande is also a good place for exploring craft shops, crêperies and cafés.

Concarneau

If you can, plan to arrive between 8am – 9am (Mon – Thurs), when the fish auction is in full swing. It makes fascinating viewing. One of the main attractions of Concarneau is the 14th Century Ville Close, perched on an island mid-harbour. A stroll around the narrow cobbled streets and ramparts of the walled town is an absolute ‘must’ as is a trip to the Shellwork Display Centre and the Fishing Museum.