7 days on the Brittany coastline

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Itinerary

Having over 1,700 miles (2,800km) of coastline, Brittany represents a third of France’s total. So it’s no wonder that Brittany is filled with the most wonderful coastal experiences. From island boat trips inundated with wildlife to historical ruins endlessly battered by the waves. With every hotel we stayed in we had the sea on the horizon. Our scenic drives hugged the rocky coastline, we had daily walks along the sand, dipped our toes into the turquoise waters and enjoyed beach life. So here is a guide on how to spend 7 wonderful days in Brittany while discovering the coastline.

Camaret-sur-mer & Crozon Peninsula

On the Crozon peninsula sits the quaint fishing village of Camaret-Sur-Mer. Walk along the quay, lined with brightly-painted houses, restaurants and art galleries opposite the boats which bob along the harbour. Visit the polygonal defensive tower named Tour Dorée (or Golden Tower) which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Only a 5-minute drive is the famous viewpoint of Pen Hir Point to see the Le Tas de Pois.

Translated as “Heap of Peas” (which we found hilarious) these “heaps” are three large rocky islands that sit out from the Crozon peninsula. The cliffs are as tall as 70 metres (230 ft) high, one of the tallest in Brittany. The rocky landmark offers a wonderful view of the Iroise Sea, wildlife and a scenic coastal walk.
While admiring the white sandy beach take a stop at Crêperie Chez Germaine for crepes. If you’re lucky you can visit when they have live music playing.

Brest & Pointe Saint-Mathieu

If you’re a city lover then head to Brest, the city known for its rich maritime history. Then on your way to Pointe Saint-Mathieu, head to the Phare du Petit Minou and walk part of the coastal trail while admiring the surfers battering the waves below. After the lighthouse, head to Phare De Saint-Mathieu. This striking red and white lighthouse sits on steep cliffs overlooking the ruins of a former abbey. Once a Breton monastery, the abbey sits high on the edge of Pointe Saint-Mathieu. The combination of contrasting architecture so close to each other is striking.

While in Brest, visit the interesting museum 70.8 and explore the ocean’s unexpected resources. The ocean covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth hence the name. Learn about biotechnologies, renewable energies, and maritime traffic.

Le Conquet

Le Conquet is the westernmost town of mainland France. Known as an important crab fishing port, the harbour sets the backdrop for a picturesque visit. The town of Le Conquet has it all. The scenic harbour, white Caribbean-like beaches, a quaint town, a landmark lighthouse and the best patisserie we’ve ever eaten. Take part in a scenic coastal walk to find the Kermorvan lighthouse. This lighthouse sits tall on a rocky spur at the end of the Kermorvan peninsula in Le Conquet. The peninsula offers a scenic coastline walk including a secluded bay and historical ruins.

Just a short stroll from the scenic harbour of Le Conquet is the exquisite Restaurant La Corniche. The restaurant sits right on the seafront overlooking the ocean where the sun sets. With the chef having close ties to the local fishermen, farmers and artisans they offer superb, fresh seafood and quality seasonal produce from the region. This was by far our favourite setting, view and food from our week in Brittany.

Les Abers & Plouguerneau

Explore the Sainte-Marguerite dunes at high tide and walk through the wild orchids while listening to the birds amongst the strong sea breeze. From the white sand, watch the windsurfers glide over the waves and take off as they fly in the air. Head to one of the sheltered white sandy beaches along the coastline and sunbathe till your heart’s content.

At low tide walk over to the Lighthouse Island Wrac’h. Or visit at high tide by kayak.
Stop at the Atelier Ty Room with its hippy and relaxed vibe. Browse art and crafts made by the locals and relax in their snug garden.

Plouguerneau & Carantec

You can’t visit Brittany and miss Île Vierge lighthouse. This lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in Europe. The spiral staircase is made up of 365 steps and is lined with opal glass tiles. You can visit the island by boat. On your way back sail through the picturesque river Aber Wrac’h and Aber Benoît, keeping your eye out for oystercatchers and egrets. At low tide do the coastal walk to île Venan. This small island offers great views opposite Île Vierge lighthouse and the island.

Visit Ile Callot, a small seahorse-shaped island, at low tide via the causeway and discover the creeks, dunes, fields and sandy beaches. A peninsula at low tide and a small island at high tide (1.2 miles or 2km long), there are a number of nameless bays and beaches to relax on. We visited late in the day to watch the sunset behind the island. The reflections of the burnt orange sun in the water around the causeway were stunning. The excitement of knowing you can only access the island at certain points of the day, your time being controlled by the tides, gives a sense of adventure!

Morlaix bay & Roscoff

Translated as “The Wanderers of the Bay” this boat trip was one of our favourite activities of our time in Brittany. Riding with Gwendal, our very knowledgeable guide, he taught us about the local flora and fauna and surrounding architecture while we circled the Bay of Morlaix. The boat ride was exhilarating, riding fast along the sea, twisting and turning between the small islands covered in basking seals. We saw vibrant oystercatchers, cormorants drying off their wings and seagulls caring for their fluffy chicks. From the boat trip take a wander around the town of Roscoff. Built on a peninsula surrounded by the Channel, this port and seaside resort is buzzing with tourists and locals alike. The 16th-century granite buildings line the harbour. The busy streets are filled with charming gift shops, art galleries, and local markets along with restaurants and cafes specialising in local seafood and Breton crêpes.

le local roscpoff
Get up early to experience the beautiful sunrise from Tahiti Beach. From here watch the sunrise behind Taurus Castle and Phare de l’Ile Noire. This was the most beautiful sunrise we experienced during our trip around Brittany.
While in Roscoff head to Le Local for lunch. Sit outside and eat beautifully presented food while watching the people go by in the cobbled street.

Cap Fréhel & Saint-Malo

With endless panoramic views and fine sandy beaches, Cap Fréhel is a picturesque peninsula in northern Brittany. Being a designated bird reserve, hundreds of seabirds provide the natural soundtrack to the headland and is a popular location for nature lovers and bird-spotters. The predominantly rocky landscapes are made up of pink sandstone cliffs, moorland and marshes. With no restaurants, villages or shops nearby it’s just you and two scenic lighthouses. To finish your week-long trip visit the walled city of Saint-Malo. Saint-Malo is a wonderful seaside city at low tide and an impressive fortress at high tide. The tall walls surround the city, forming a complete loop of 1.2 miles (2km), making a picturesque walk with views looking out to sea and the cobbled streets below.

We hired electric bikes to ride through the countryside to get to Cap Fréhel. We loved riding the bikes, feeling the sea breeze in our hair while taking in the breathtaking views of the turquoise coast and the Channel Islands!
From Cap Fréhel visit Fort-La-Latte. This impressive medieval fortress was built high on the clifftops at the Bay of the Fresnay in the 14th century. With 360° views of the surrounding countryside, cliffs and emerald water, the historic monument is breathtaking. We’ve never been anywhere like it before!

Focus on

One of our favourite food stops on our week in Brittany was a visit to Bakery Frédéric Bian. A definite must-see (or in this case, must-taste) while in Le Conquet. Filled with locals buying their daily bread and pastries, we followed the smell of freshly baked goods and bought a selection of cakes, croissants and baguettes for our lunch. The food was outstanding and we couldn’t recommend a visit here enough! Take your delicious baked goods and find a bench overlooking the harbour. Watch the small multicoloured boats bob along the water and swing in the wind.

Where to sleep

La Demeure in Guingamp

This charming 18th-century townhouse sits in the heart of the picturesque commune of Guingamp. Relax on the sunny terrace which overlooks the quaint houses and private garden below. With an eclectic yet relaxed feel, we felt like we lived here and wished we could have stayed forever!

La Demeure

Hostellerie de la Pointe St-Mathieu in Plougonvelin

Sitting on the very tip of Brittany, this 4-star hotel comes with its own Michelin-starred restaurant and luxury spa. With the best views of St Mathieu’s lighthouse and historical abbey ruins, your room gets caught in the glowing beam of the lighthouse’s beacon. Take in the sea views and watch the boats go by from your sun terrace, coffee in hand.

Hostellerie de La Pointe Saint-Mathieu

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Brock & Betty

Brock & Betty, a married couple from England, are passionate travellers and content creators. They love storytelling through photography, videography, and the written word. They use their blog and social channels to inspire wanderlust for the lovers of exploration and adventure, including travel advice, guides, beautiful photography, and tips and tricks.

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