kevandali Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Hi All, we actually went to Brittany about 6 years ago when we got our first van and I seem to recall using a coastal route and not toll roads and it took an absolute age! I suppose a mixture of toll and non toll roads would be the ideal answer, has anyone traveled that way quite recently and if so, what route did you take? Thanks in advance, as always, not actually going till July/August (yes, yes, I know it will be packed *-)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandyAndy Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 I tend to collect items on forums given by others here is a collection for Brittany for you and the route down. The first couple use mainly Aires unless stated. Turn right out of Calais, and always keep as close as possible to the coast. This sometimes means turning down improbably narrow and unpromising roads, but more times than not, it was worth it. Here's our rough itinerary... Criel-sur-Mer Dieppe Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer Veules-les-Roses Saint-Valery-en-Caux Veulettes-sur-Mer Saint-Pierre-en-Port Fecamp (Benedictine) Yport Etretat Le Havre Honfleur Trouville-sur-Mer / Deauville (Aire on port closed off with large rocks) Villers-sur-Mer Barfleur We then skipped across to: Avranches Le Mont-Saint-Michel St Malo Dinard Dinan Saint-Brieuc Binic (very nice municipal site overlooking the bay from the north) Plouha Paimpol Then across to Quimper Concarneau Vannes La Roche-Bernard Guerande (of the salt) Saint-Nazaire (of the submarine pens) . BEACHES AROUND BRITTANY The Crozon Peninsula is part of the Parc Naturel regional D'Armorique. It stretches from the picturesque Arree Mountains in the east to the wonderful beaches and coastal scenery of the 'Presqu'ile de Crozon to the west. The whole magnificent National Park is in the ' Department of Finistere which in turn is part of the area of Brittany. The Crozon Peninsula has lots of picturesque promontories, bays and beaches. If driving, the coast road is particularly spectacular. En route, visit the town of Plougastel-Daoulas and make a detour to the hill of Menez-Hom which has fantastic views over both land and sea. The nearby town of Morgat is a treat, with its long crescent beach and sheltered harbour full of pleasure boats. The Crozon Penninsula, Brittany, Top Ten Beaches in Brittany Why not enjoy a boat trip around the headlands, such as the Cap de la Chevre. Or enjoy a 45 minute tour of the Grottes, multi-coloured caves in the cliffs only accessible by sea, and take in the spectacular steep ‘chimneys’ which reach up to the cliff tops. Presqu'ile de Crozon has in general been undiscovered by tourists as they tend to by-pass it on their way south. The French come in summer but it never gets that busy. The Presqu'ile extents about 30 kms by 10 kms. and in that area the scenery changes from towering cliffs at Point Espangnois with its bracing walks to long beautiful sandy beaches which stretch for miles (there are in fact over 12 sandy beaches to choose from and none of them get very busy). There are numerous delightful walks in forests & moors and we have 145kms. of coastal footpath around the Presqu'ile to explore. Along Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast you will want to explore Perros-Guirec, a haven of tree lined avenues, smart villas and beautiful beaches. Perros-Guirec is located at one end of the long Sentier des Douaniers walking route, which takes you along stunning cliff tops to the tiny resort of Ploumanac’h. You will pass the incredible water sculpted rocks which the Pink Granite Coast is famous for, whilst seabirds glide overhead to the Sept-Iles bird sanctuary. Perros-Guirec, Tregastel, Treburden, Brittany, tropical looking lagoon, Top Ten Beaches in Brittany Along the Pink Granite Coast to the west, you will come across the smaller villages of Tregastel and Trebeurden. Tregastel has a newly renovated aquarium located in pink granite caves with displays of English Channel flora and fauna. Just south of Tregastel is the dome of the Pleumier-Bodou Telecommunications Centre. Opened in 1962, it was the first receiving station to pick up signals from the American Telstar satellite. The site is now Cosmopolis telecommunications museum. Laber is considered to be one of Roscoff’s best beaches whilst the old harbour is home to both fishing vessels and pleasure boats to the nearby Ile-de-Batz. It almost looks as though you could walk to the island as the deep-water pier in Roscoff stretches towards it before abruptly plunging into the sea. Long narrow Ile-de-Batz mirrors Roscoff across the water, 1000m away at high tide but only 200m at low tide. No cars are permitted on the island. It has some amazing expanses of sandy beach such as Greve Blanche at the eastern end which families tend to head for. Alternatively, you may prefer Ile de Batz’s wild and windswept north coast. Ile-de-Batz is famous for its Jardin Exotique. This extraordinary garden has 3,000 species of tropical plants from all over the world, including South Africa, Australia and Chile. The rockeries are particularly spectacular and there are superbs view of the bay of Morlaix, Roscoff, Carantec and the Chateau du Taureau. Situated east of Benodet is the coastal town of Concarneau, one of France’s largest fishing ports and a holiday resort full of charm and character. The must-see sight in Concarneau is the Ville Close, a small, highly fortified 13th century citadelle on a rocky island in the bay. Ville Close is extremely popular with visitors due not only to its picturesque setting but also the fishing museum and many Breton shops. Concarneau's Ville Close, Brittany, Top Ten Beaches in Brittany Concarneau has a good aquarium, sailing schools and a pleasant seafront and promenade. There is also an excellent selection of shops and restaurants. Le-Val-Andre features a huge beach with fine sand and a long pedestrian promenade that stretches along the Victorian-style seafront. Head to rue A-Charner, which runs parallel to the sea, for a good selection of shops and restaurants. Like so many other coastal towns Le-Val-Andre also features a casino right on the waterfront for an evening out. Le Val Andre and Erquy, Long sweeping beach, Top Ten Beaches in Brittany To the east of Le-Val-Andre is the delightful town of Erquy with its spectacular stretch of beach which curves through more than 180 degrees. A great feature of Erquy is that, at low tide, the sea disappears beyond the harbour entrance, leaving just tiny pools of water. Equip yourself with stout shoes and take a walk right across the mouth of the harbour from the grassy wooded headland to the lighthouse at the end of the jetty. Enjoy some shopping in Erquy or tuck into a fresh fish dinner in one of the many restaurants. Paimpol’s naval shipyards obscure the view to the open sea; however, a series of waterways lead to Paimpol’s 2 separate harbours which are usually filled with the masts of pleasure yachts. Fishing boats still use Paimpol’s harbour and keep the fish market busy. The harbour area is definitely the place to be for a lively atmosphere in the summer. The Ile de Brehat lies 2km from the coast at Pointe de l’Arcouest Paimpol and Ile De Brehat, Top Ten Beaches in Brittany 6km north west of Paimpol. The Ile de Brehat is in reality 2 islands that are joined by a small bridge. The north side of the islands has windswept meadows that slope down to rock erosions. On the south side of the Ile de Brehat, you can enjoy walking amongst palm trees, mimosa and eucalyptus. The Ile de Brehat, well known as a bird and flower sanctuary, is perfect for nature lovers and ramblers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recently spent five weeks there and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves apart from the incessant rain. Vire...town centre aire. Busy but goes quiet after 1800 hrs Bazouges la Peruse,. smashing little village aire, bars and boulangerie. Plerin sous Tour, on coastal estuary nice beach bars and restaurants. Plouha, Plage du Paulas, right on the beach, nice very French restaurant. Quai de Pempoul, busy port, extensive marina, good market lots of shops. St Michel en Greve, got this down as small village and huuuuuge beach. Penze, small village on river, midday 'formule' very good value. Caramet sur Mer. Super area two aires one next to standing stones. WW2 relics and of course the headland at Pen Hir. Pont Croix, attractive town, aire in quiet carpark. Combrit, small aire pizza takeaway. Concaneau, large aire busy port, old port area worth a visit. Clohars-Carnoet, small town nice aire, very friendly bar etc Port Louis. Coastal aire, interesting fortifications. La Roche Bernard, attached to campsite, full facilities, pretty marina on river, lots of quayside restaurants quaint town. Redon, busy aire cramped but town has shops and eating places. Villedieau le Poules, aire in town centre. Le Ferriere aux Etangs, lakeside adjacent to campsite quaint town. St Nicolas d'Aliermont, got to be the most attractive car park ever. Recommend the tripe and frites in town! The headlands at Finisterre are at their most spectacular in foul weather and well worth risking a soaking! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erquy - just behind the beach but not much more than a glorified carpark. Lermot plage - a bit further down the St Brieuc bay. sea vanishes over the horizon at low tide to reveal miles of mussel farm installations. Palus Plage - lovely little aire right behind the shingle beach. Cap Frehel - no Aire but a couple of years ago we were able to overnight in the big car park - entrance on your right about 100 yards before the lighthouse. If you have seen 'The Vikings' (1957 film with Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas) pop across to Fort la Latte - some of the film was shot here. Diben - bourne and a row of parking spaces for motorhomes on the harbour wall. Dinan - inland from St Malo is worth a visit. Ancient walled town perched high above its river port. There is an Aire by the river under the modern road viaduct. Access to the old town full of quaint timbered buildings is either by a heart stopping climb up steps from just above the aire or a more gentle and picturesque ( but still fairly steep) road that runs down to the port and across the old road bridge. 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Derek Uzzell Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Brittany itself has no toll roads (yet!) Assuming you are starting from Calais, then the logical route would be A16 (toll-free) to Boulogne-sur-Mer, A16 (toll) to Abbeville, A28 (toll free) to Rouen, A13 (toll) to Caen, A84 (toll-free) to Avranches. If you use the viamichelin website http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/ and select the shortest Calais-Avranches route, that's what you'll get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Carnac in south a lovely holiday area.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 JudgeMental - 2012-05-29 8:23 AM Carnac in south a lovely holiday area.... Morbihan is indeed a lovely holiday area, but very very touristy in July/August. This website may prove useful http://www.morbihan.com/vacances-morbihan.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevandali Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 Thanks all, for the brill replies, I want to go now! Going to try and sort out a vet for the pooch somewhere enroute on the way back and possibly book a campsite for 2 or 3 days towards the end of our first week but apart from that will remain flexible, will also sort the route out well in advance, thanks again, you're brill, you lot :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 while I hope you have a nice time, weather in Brittany notoriously unreliable with a short season..It is the most miserable place I have EVER been to in September and Easter not much better. Have had some good summers when kids where young, but others not so good..So we stared heading south for more reliable weather It is hardly any difference in distance to Vendee region Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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