Brittany in August

[auntyflonono]

Does anyone have any suggestions of a nice place to stay in Brittany next summer?

I would like a pretty village with a market and a sandy beach with safe swimming, or similar but inland with a lake with kayaking on? Any suggestions?

We've been to Brittany twice, both north and south, and loved it both times. I'd probably recommend the south though as my preference - it's rugged and wild and just stunning. We stayed just outside Auray, which is a gorgeous little town with an old part and a market, etc. Vannes is gorgeous too (medieval, timber-framed houses, etc), and an easy drive away, and the Quiberon peninsula is wild and beautiful.

If you find you prefer the look of the north, Dinan is another gorgeous medieval town and St Malo is fascinating (it was flattened during WWII and rebuilt exactly as it was before - you'd never guess!). However, the beaches on the north coast are a bit more exposed.

When I was a child we went to the Crozon peninsula and I remember endless sandy beaches there ... so basically you could anywhere and I'm sure it would be lovely! It's like a French version of Cornwall.

Plage du Cap Coz has nice sandy beach and good for swimming etc. From here you can visit Concarneau and Quimper which both have lovely shops and markets. Concarneau old town is on an island that you can walk over to and is a pretty walled town similar to York. Nice Shops, restaurants, great views.

Crozon is gorgeous
but my absolute favourite is Locmariaquer
with a stop off in Vannes on the way
and a detour to Troncais as it is so surreal

I live near Vannes and have had a gite here for 12 years. We're full in August apart from the last week, but I'm very happy to help if you like the look of this area

We went to the south of Brittany in 2014. I speak French and we usually go to Cornwall - I didn’t think it was a patch on Cornwall!

However I agree that there are some lovely towns, including those mentioned. I just didn’t rate the beaches. There were no facilities, very few toilets etc. We had younger children who needed them.

I’d go to the north if I went back. I’ve been there before and much preferred it, but it’s a long long time ago!

Thanks everyone, its great to have some ideas and places to make a start with!

Thank you Shelly! Its the week before that we are looking for.

Does anyone know of a reliable site with gites or cottages?

I didn’t think it was a patch on Cornwall!

Well it's a darn sight less crowded. The horror stories of queues and traffic jams snarling up country roads for the whole of August were not my experience at all in Brittany. Plus, the food is much better

I think we used Southern Brittany Cottages OP, or the gite site.

All entitled to our own opinion. I stay in one place in Cornwall, so the traffic doesn’t bother me. I like cafes on the beach, clean toilets etc. I struggled with that in Brittany.

We are definitely going to Brittany - have booked the ferry!

Have been looking at various areas, possibly not the north and around Finestere as the sea doesn't seem as safe for swimming?

Carnac was quite lively with cafes etc.

We like the area around Cap Frehel on the north coast. Amazing beach at Sable d'or les Pins.

Thanks everyone!