Rennes ‑ Saint‑Nazaire in four days

In the space of four days, you can immerse yourself in a city or ocean, in a mythical forest or salt marsh, in small harbours and delightfully charming towns. How about it? Brittany is the start of a whole new world. A gateway to the Atlantic. Set off on a journey out of time from Rennes to Saint-Nazaire, with a little bonus of sunshine and white sand!

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Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Rennes – Forêt de Brocéliande

Estimated travel time: 85 km – 1h20 by car

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01 Step 01

Starting from Rennes

35 minutes: that’s how long it will take you to get from Rennes to Brocéliande. Just over half an hour to get from an urban environment, the “gateway to Brittany”, through which all travellers arrive, to another gateway, this time more mysterious: that of the mythical forest of druids. Are you ready?

Rennes

The vibrant university city of Rennes, Brittany’s administrative capital, is worth a day or two of anyone’s time. Take a wander around the medieval streets of the picture-perfect old town and admire the impressive parliament building before relaxing in the Thabor gardens.

Discover the capital of Brittany

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The Forest of Brocéliande

About 18 miles (30km) west of Rennes, the forest of Paimpont is all that remains of the vast forest that covered ancient inland Brittany aka Argoat. Legend has it that the 25 square miles (40km2) of woodland is also the location of mythical Brocéliande, the forest of King Arthur.

Enter the legend of Brittany

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Sleep in Paimpont

It’s time to take a break in the middle of Brocéliande forest. In this peaceful and charming village, the lake invites you to take a walk around its shores, where an abbey is reflected in its water. If you have time, enter The Gate of Secrets at the tourist office: a unique show will transport you far far away from the real world…

Where to sleep in Paimpont Where to sleep in Ploërmel

Forêt de Brocéliande – La Baule

Estimated travel time: 144 km – 2h20 by car

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01 Step 01

Starting from Paimpont

Today, head south to La Baule bay! You’ll drive alongside the Brière regional nature park, a Natura 2000 zone and paradise for birds, before arriving at the “peninsular”, the local name for Côte d’Amour.

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Rochefort-en-Terre

High above the River Arz, Rochefort-en-Terre has been voted one of France’s most beautiful villages and as a result is one of Brittany’s most visited sites. Make your way through the narrow streets, past ateliers and workshops, admiring the geranium-bedecked houses along the way.

A magnificent village in bloom

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The Redon Marshes

If you like landscapes combining land and water, you are sure to be enchanted by the Redon Marshes, where the superb valleys of the Vilaine, Aff and Canut rivers offer a great place to dally and admire the marshes and wide range of architectural styles. Just perfect to explore by boat!

A town between the land and marshes

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Sleep in La Baule

Enjoy a chic evening in La Baule. Before of after dinner, amble through the streets in the seaside resort and succumb to the charm of the town-centre villas, the Art Deco and Belle Epoque architecture, etc., or perhaps you’ll decide to walk the 9 km of white sandy beaches!

Where to sleep in La Baule

La Baule – Guérande

Estimated travel time: 68 km – 1h15 by car

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01 Step 01

Starting from La Baule

Hold on, you can’t just leave the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean like that!

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La Roche-Bernard

Between Vannes and Nantes, the fortified village of La Roche-Bernard has dominated the River Vilaine for a thousand years. These days the village is best known for its Michelin-starred restaurant but most people come to wander around its quaint streets and take boat trips down the river.

A journey through time

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Guérande and its salt marshes

On the peninsula of the same name, the medieval walled town of Guérande is a must-see on any visit to the Loire-Atlantique department. Overlooking salt marshes to the south and the peat bogs of Brière to the north, Guérande and its surrounding area make a great day out for all the family.

A town with an abundance of salt

Where to sleep in La Baule

Guérande – Saint-Nazaire

Estimated travel time: 41 km – 55 minutes by car

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01 Step 01

Starting from La Baule

For this first day, head to Côte d’Amour! Le Croisic, Le Pouliguen and La Turballe or Piriac-sur-Mer, further to the north, are a succession of charming little harbours. The Côte Sauvage is also a wonderful path for a seaside stroll. But before any of that, you must of course enjoy the medieval Guérande and its salt marshes!

La Baule Bay

One of the most beautiful bays in the world, La Baule owes its reputation to its beach, which is one of the longest in Europe. It runs for 9 km, from Pornichet to Pouliguen, and has a chic image thanks to its prestige hotels, historic villas and classy activities.

The longest beach in Europe

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Le Croisic

Le Croisic is best known for its fishing industry but this attractive port was also one of the first tourist resorts in Brittany. The town is a more cost-effective base to explore the Guérande peninsula than nearby La Baule and offers wilder beaches and rugged coastal walks.

Gateway to the Breton coast

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Saint-Nazaire

While it’s not one of France’s most attractive cities, St-Nazaire makes a fascinating destination for boat and plane enthusiasts as well as fans of World War II history. The beaches along its coastline are some of the best in the Loire-Atlantique department; one was immortalised on film.

Figurehead of the estuary

Where to sleep in Saint-Nazaire