Snacks and bargains | Brittany tourism

Hunting down deco versions of second-hand bargains while sipping a cappuccino? If that grabs you, no need to be at the Saint-Ouen flea market at 7 o’clock in the morning. Brittany’s “cafés-brocantes” are here. With plenty to snack on while you’re hunting for low-priced treasures that other cafés won’t have. A roundup of great addresses that’ll help you further embellish your home.

In the blink of an eye

1. Bargain-hunting and chilling out on the programme, Rue de Siam

Maja – Brest

This one’s our favourite. Watch out, it’s magic at Maja in Brest: you come for a latte and leave with a carpet. Here, close to Rue de Siam, you sip away while going nuts over some great piece of loot, whether it was made in the 1950s or last week. Yes, even the chair you’re sitting on. You browse, drink, have a bite to eat. Dance, chitchat. The waffles are exquisite and the chocolate and coffee are to die for. Mini-concerts are held in the tree-shaded back terrace. We’d also like to take the boss, Hadrien, away with us… He’s a cheerful, good-natured fellow who wishes us well.

Maja

We also like: Le Chat Chineur: Brest’s other great second-hand shop, with a coffee corner if you’re feeling peckish. Beautiful…

belle-ile-en-terre-domaine-papeteries-jardin-rotated.jpg

2. Trégor in Wonderland

Le Domaine des Papeteries – Belle-Île-en-Terre

It’s a green hollow where a river sings. Lovers of poetry and relaxation, we’re waiting for you! 20 km from Guerlesquin, Chlorophyll bath and treasure hunt the order of the day while you watch the Léguer flow by. The Domaine des Papeteries’ guestrooms have a story, even a whole heap of stories, to tell. Offbeat artistic ambience guaranteed. Something to discover in every nook and cranny – a creation, an unusual object. A treasure. It’s got everything you could wish for, including an attentive welcome, an XL breakfast, packed lunches and yoga lessons. And an Ali Baba’s cave that’ll leave you gobsmacked.
Access to the bric-a-brac area upon request

Domaine des Papeteries

Ideas

The inratables of the summer, the place to be to treat yourself to a seafood platter, the best views on the GR®34, the best spots to start surfing… in short, all the good...

3. Eldorado in Saint-Malo

Cargo Culte – Saint-Malo

It’s the Intra-Muros’ best-kept secret: the “Cargo Culte” café-brocante in Saint-Malo – when you gotta go, you gotta go…and no dawdling on the way! Enjoy brunching there or lunching on their homemade dishes. The service alone is worth the visit. The cuisine? A choice of simple delights prepared from local products. The Croque Caesar is to die for, and the cheesecake is too. It’s peaceful, warmly welcoming and laid back. So go for it, taste buds on full alert. An ultra-cool concept!
We also like: La Flemme, a café-brocante and art gallery in the Saint-Servant neighbourhood. A joyful amalgam of organised clutter, overflowing with conviviality and events.

Cargo Culte

4. In Rennes, snack and bric-a-brac

Alaska Brocante – Rennes

High moulded ceilings. A majestic mosaic floor – we sometimes come just for the pleasure of seeing it. That’s how the friendliest restaurant-brocante in Rennes is decorated. It specialises in 20th-century furniture and objects. The fifties armchair that’s going to elevate your telework corner, the little Art Deco lamp that would go so well next to your sofa, that awesome dresser… they’re all there. The aromas from bowls of soup, cups of chai and a chocolate cake fresh out of the oven fill the air. A convivial canteen and living environment, Alaska also organises super-cool soirees and has a little terrace to relax on when the weather’s good. Shall we take a look round?

Alaska Brocante

We also like: Léopard Blanc, a creation and second-hand concept store in Vern-sur-Seiche.

5. Slow down at the Moulin de Pomper

Au Rigad’eau – Moulin de Pomper

It’s the story of a tide mill across from Île-aux-Moines, which has been turned into a cabinet of curiosities. At the Moulin de Pomper, between Baden and Arradon, you can enjoy yourself and still keep a clear conscience. Eat a cake, have a drink. Take a bit of the decoration home with you: a wicker basket, or plates and cups that make lovely table settings…and so much the better if they don’t match. We’ve fallen in love with this place where you always feel good and where you want to know the story behind every object, stop time and have a bite to eat – and there’s a stunning view of the stream too.

Au Rigad’eau

We also like: Ché Luz in Etel. There’s not so much second-hand stuff as there used to be, but you’ll love the dishes and good humour it serves up.