Brittany itinerary/route suggestions

[momentarybliss]

Hiya

We are looking at driving to Brittany next summer.

Most likely ferry from Portsmouth.

Probably 7 nights.

Totally overwhelmed with choice atm!

We like to get out an about and do stuff (museums, castles etc) also some beach fun for the kids (who will be 7 & 5)

Thinking maybe ferry to and from different points and stopping a few days in one location and then the rest in another near the other port.

We usually stay in Airbnb's over here and would prefer something along those lines but open to suggestions.

I love planning trips but I can get a bit overwhelmed with choice and good to hear other people's tips!

TIA 😊

At first glance I read this as 'literary route', and was about to send you to Becherel which is lovely little town with lots of book activity. But as that wasn't what you said, I'll rein myself in.

St Malo - your most likely arrival point - is a great place for families, a walled old town with a big pirate connection. Great beaches too. Indoor activities as well, in case of rain, such as castle and a big aquarium.

On the history/cultural side, for me, the big attraction are the megaliths, with Carnac on the south coast being the biggest draw, but it can get busy there - and in the surrounding areas - during the summer, especially during August, so I usually recommend that as more of a spring or autumn thing. The Cairn de Barnenez on the north coast is pretty spectacular: www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/pink-granite-coast-morlaix-bay/cairn-de-barnenez/ The Cairn in the south on the island of Gavrinis is also amazing and you get a boat trip too: https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/pink-granite-coast-morlaix-bay/cairn-de-barnenez/

Broceliande - or, more properly, the Foret de Paimpont as it surrounds the town of Paimpont which has a lovely abbey and lake - about an hour inland from either coast is a lovely cool retreat from the summer busyness of the coasts with links to lots of Arthurian legends - the chateau de Comper has family activities but there are lots of lovely walks - eg. le val sans retour, but there's prehistoric stuff to find there too if old stones are your bag - such as the hotie de Viviane.

Here's my top tip though - watch your lunch times. Even in the bigger tourist towns, many restaurants don't stay open all day and close promptly after two. We've been caught out in many a smaller town with no restaurants open just as we were getting hungry.

Wherever you go, enjoy!

@pippistrelle wow! Thanks so much for your detailed response! I will look over it properly later on. Thank you 😊 x

I'd also add that the beach at St Lunaire is amazing. The St Malo beach has a "pool" sort of bit with no waves which is good for swimming.
A lot of the northern coastal villages have really interesting church yards with super weird monuments!
I also really liked Morlaix. Fougères is pretty too.
Seconding Paimpont forest! Merlin's tomb apparently...
I personally love Rennes if you wanted a city too - place st Anne is very pretty especially now they have finished all the works on the second metro line and opened it up again.

@AnnaBegins thank you for the suggestions 😊 x