SUMMER TRAVEL GUIDE TO BRITTANY, FRANCE

They say a picture can tell a thousand stories. In France, this couldn’t be more true.

Brittany is home to some of France’s tastiest butter, delicious crepes and delightful seafood. Far enough from the bustling metropolis, Paris, escaping to Brittany is a blissful adventure.

From the historic port of Saint-Malo to wilderness walks, pristine beaches, cosy cafes, proud culture, traditions and quaint little towns, there’s much to be explored!

I hadn’t planned to visit France however with Covid slowing down over the summer, Europeans were eager once again to go out and explore. When a friend offered me a seat in her car and a room in a charming old renovated farmhouse located in a tiny hamlet, it was a no brainer.

Oh... And perhaps the crepes with salted butter caramel also had something to do with it.

Knowing that we’d be driving from Kent to the border and taking the Eurotunnel into France avoided the hassle of booking planes or public trains. A strict stay in your car policy inside the Eurotunnel, we drove into France on a cool breezy summer’s day.

Do you ever get that feeling when you reach a destination, the air smells so familiar, that you take in a deep breath to soak it all in the moment?

Nostalgia had been creeping up on me for a few months. As we drove in on the right, my mind wandered to the buttery croissants, delicious cheese and freshly made baguettes whilst my wonderful friend concentrated on the 7-hour drive ahead.

A taste of Brittany, France

Drizzled with tradition, unique culture and language, it’s an understatement to say that Bretons are the most regionally proud and they have good reason to be.

It’s not uncommon that inhabitants will say they’re Breton first and French second. In fact, I remember visiting Salar de Uyuni with a woman who proudly planted her flag of Brittany (also called the Gwenn-ha-du) into the salt flats. To her surprise there was one already there!

Oh and there’s the butter too. I don’t know if this is true but a friend of mine once said all the delicious butter in France comes from Brittany. My first visit to Maison du Beurre in Saint-Malo gave me a taste of heavenly artisan butter flavoured with different herbs and spices. I’ve been addicted ever since!

Quick facts about Brittany, France

They speak their own language, Breton, and road signs are in French and Breton.
Famous for galettes, crepes and it has some of the most delicious seafood. It’s secretly my favourite region to eat in France.
With Celtic roots, ‘Breton’ is the name of inhabitants from Brittany (Breizh in the local language).
There’s over 2800km of coastline.
It’s home to Saint-Malo, a fortress old town surrounded by tall granite walls.

Where is Brittany?

Brittany is located in the north-west of France around a 4-5 hours drive from Paris and 8-9 hours from London. It’s capital is the vibrant city of Rennes.

With its incredible coastline, it’s turquoise waters can easily be mistaken for somewhere further south. Famous for its pink beaches, it's a must-see during the gorgeous summer months.

Staying in a little hamlet in the middle of nowhere

No exaggeration here. But there’s something quaint and unique about waking up to the local farmer’s tractor and dozing off to a starry night sky with a warm cup of coco.

Cruising over the Pont de Normandie, we arrived at the farmhouse in a little hamlet with no more than a dozen homes near the town of Trebrivan.

And it was the most beautiful house I ever could have ever imagined. With about five houses locked together as one and a ruin, the gardens are full of pink, blue and purple hydrangeas, roses and wildflowers. The gravel paths lead you around the acres of land, discovering old wells, ponds and birds tweeting from the apple trees. Cats and mice roamed around outside, hiding and playing amongst 30-40ft hedges and tall trees that sectioned off the garden from the nearby farmers land.

It was my first glimpse of an old stone and traditional country home in France, made from quirky stones, that have over the years embraced the climbing plants overtaking it in gorgeous colours of red, burnt orange and hues of yellow and green. Contrasting with brilliant cerulean blue shutters, it was as picturesque and lush as a rustic summer country home.

I couldn’t wait to explore.

Whilst my friend worked online taking numerous calls, I hiked into nearby forests passing ruins with no one around. It felt good to go out for a long walk without the distraction of wondering if I was going to pass someone and needing to keep my 2-metre distance.

With a population of around 700 people, when I did need to grab a coffee, Trebrivain and its local cafe provided a gratifying escape, sitting on the patio after a long walk.

In the evenings, stuffing my face with freshly baked baguettes and cheese followed by a fireside gossip with my lovely host, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Plage Saint-Guirec, Ploumanac'h

Plage Saint-Guirec is a magical little gem, stunningly situated on the pink granite coastline. Known for it’s pink tinge and awkward rock formations, the sandy beaches are wonderful for a day paddling in clear aquamarine waters.

After parking down by Chemin de la pointe and Quai Bellevue, hobble and boulder over the stunning rock formations for a gorgeous view out into the Atlantic ocean. As you take a right onto the hiking trails, through the forests, you’ll catch glimpses of Le château de Costaérès, a gothic castle on it’s own island, constructed entirely of pink granite and slate. Little sailing boats, kayaks and watersport fanatics whizzed by as we splashed our feet in the very cold and crystal clear water.

As we carried on walking round to Plage Saint-Guirec, it was time to find the crepes in town and boy was I happy to stumble into a little cafe serving my favourite salted caramel butter crepes!

Le château de Costaérès | Brittany France

Lac de Huelgoat

A wonderful day trip from Trebrivain, Huelgoat is popular amongst local tourists pondering through Forêt de Huelgoat and entering the depths of La Grotte du Diable.

Bring some good walking shoes! It’s the perfect place to stop off on a road trip! We spent hours walking and exploring, and my legs really needed the stretch! The cold lemonade and crepes at the end were worth the hike!

Gorges du Corong

Similar to the large rocks at Huelgoat Forest, bouldering over Gorges du Corong, the walk through the park and forest is a beautiful chaos of streams intertwined with enormous boulders, and wildlife.

A feels a little but like a setting out of Lord of the Rings. Watch out for the slippery slopes and bring a picnic with you!

Visiting Guingamp

The nearest train station to Trebrivain, we pondered into Guingamp on a sleepy Sunday and wander around the cobbled streets and canals, taking in the beautiful churches and architecture.

Heading down to the canal, this quaint little town is a charming place to visit away from the beaches.

Stopping off in Honfleur, Normandy

Famous for its charming old port, picturesque with quaint sailing boats, delicious food from moules frites to yummy fish soup, Honfleur is home to many of France’s artists and writers. Popular with Parisians for a weekend getaway, it’s warm and inviting ambiance makes it the ideal place to mingle out in front of the waterfront restaurants and bars.

Stopping by for a few hours, we were well… Hungry.

Stumbling into Chez Justine et Quentin, it was the perfect place to satisfy our appetite for a hearty meal.

If you have more time in the area, try out the walking tour of Honfleur, ponder over to plage du Butin, explore the historic museums and churches or take lots of photos of the harbour! Depending on the time of day, early morning photos and sunset photos can give you a completely different feel to the place.

Treat yourself to Queen for the night in a Chateau

Heading back to England, we decided to do an overnight stay somewhere halfway to Calais. Originally we thought Etretat would be perfect, I had been before and really wanted to show my friend the gorgeous cliffs. But finding an Airbnb in the area proved to be a pain and more trouble than it was worth, with many not even providing bedsheets for your stay.😏

So we opted for this stunning country home, Les Rives de l’Andelle in Romilly-sur-Andelle.

Check out Les Rives de l’Andelle!

Click here for prices and availability!

As the only guests, this gorgeous family home with donkeys roaming around in the front and a stream flowing around the back, it was serene and wonderful for the night.

Finally stopping off in Rouen

With its beautiful gothic cathedral and energetic culture, the foodie scene in Rouen could not be missed. Before heading to Calais, what’s better than a final galette and crepe at the Crêperie Rouennaise!

This place is almost always fully booked, we were lucky to be the last ones with a table! With a selection of sweet and savoury, there is a little of something for everyone!

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to go inside the church, so I’ll just have to come back someday!

FAQ about Brittany, France

Is Brittany France safe?

Yes, it’s very safe and welcoming. There are relatively low levels of crime.

What is Brittany called in French?

In French Brittany is called Bretagne. And the people from Brittany are called Breton.

How far is Brittany from Paris by train?

From Paris to Rennes, it takes around 2h - 2h30mins by train and 3-5 hours driving.

Is Saint Malo worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely! I did a brief day trip a couple of years ago and it’s one of my favourite place to visit in Brittany. If you’re limited on time, you can do a brief stop over or stay overnight.

Where to stay in Saint Malo?

Hotel Ambassadeurs: A great location right next to the beach, there’s a rooftop terrace with panoramic sea views.
L'Hôtel Particulier Ascott: With cosy rooms and elegantly decorated suites, this hotel is clean and comfortable with helpful and welcoming hosts.
Mercure Saint-Malo Balmoral: Modern and stylish, this hotel is within walking distance to the old town.

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I hope you enjoyed my guide on Brittany, France! Let me know in the comments below!

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