A City to Sea Odyssey – 5 days in Brittany

Itinerary

This ‘City to Sea’ itinerary is for those who want to taste ‘a bit of everything’ in Brittany. From the banks of the Loire River follow the Green Line through Nantes. Work your way inland and be charmed by the tranquillity of Rennes in the heart of Brittany. Finally, head to the picturesque Emerald Coast and rejuvenate your senses as you explore beaches, villages and islands in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. Multiple transportation options make this an easy itinerary: Fly directly to Nantes or take the high-speed TGV train from Paris. Or, if you wish to do this itinerary the other way around, travellers from the UK can take a scenic ferry journey across the Channel to Saint-Malo.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Hunt for treasures on the Green Line in Nantes

Your eclectic self-guided tour of Nantes begins at Le Jardin des Plantes botanical garden. Find the Green Line and instantly be connected to key monuments, captivating art, heritage attractions and unorthodox playgrounds around Nantes.

Lean into your curiosity and weave your way between quiet alleys and across bustling squares. Gain insight into the region’s past at the palatial Château des ducs de Bretagne. Sample the rich collection of art at Musée d’Arts de Nantes. You get extra points if you can find Jungle Intérieure, a green oasis cultivated by Evor, the reclusive local gardener!

Glance upwards as you walk towards Passage Pommeraye! You do not want to miss the many quirky shop signs that showcase collaborations between artists and local businesses.

Refresh yourself with a bistronomic lunch at Sain Nantes where you will also be able to shop local products. Continue to Parc des Chantiers and shoot some hoops with locals at the ‘basketball tree’ (L’arbre à basket) before taking a ride on the popular hydraulic beast, Le Grand Éléphant, a local favourite at les Machines de l’île.

Head back to your hotel to rest and freshen up before experiencing a multi-sensory dinner at Sepia, a creative bistronomy concept by Chef Lucie Berthier Gembara.

La Cantine du Voyage is a short walk from Parc des Chantiers. Head there to relax, grab a cider, mingle with locals and watch the colourful illumination of Les Anneaux (The Rings) by Daniel Buren and Patrick Bouchain as the sun sets over the Loire River.

Cycle, picnic and enjoy a spa in Nantes

Load up on your calories during breakfast. You’re going to need some energy for the journey to sample the Estuaire Collection, a series of 33 original art installations strategically placed along the Loire River.

You can reach unusual works like ‘La Maison dans La Loire’ and ‘Misconceivable’ by water taxi, bicycle or car. We rented electric bikes from Paulette Nantes where we marked out a short section of the 60 kilometre art trail (which runs from Nantes to Saint-Nazaire) aiming to see four installations. Before heading out, we stopped at a local patisserie to stock up on some food and drink items (our bikes’ saddle bags came in handy) and enjoyed a picnic during our self-guided excursion.

What better way to rest and recuperate after all that sightseeing than to enjoy some pampering? Head to Le Lieu Unique, former home to the iconic LU brand, and now a multipurpose space, to enjoy a relaxing Turkish Hammam.

For dinner, take a walk to Maison Bagarre in the Graslin district for a relaxed but elevated dining concept by Chef Martin Davy.

The Pass Nantes offers discounted 24hr, 48hr, 72hr and 7-day tariffs for public transportation (buses, trams, trains, Navibus water taxis) and discounts on selected experiences and attractions in Nantes.
If you would rather avoid the exertions of sightseeing, Nantes offers a more unhurried alternative. With its location on the edge of the Loire vineyards, Nantes is perfect for a wine tasting day trip to the Muscadet wine region.

Journey back in time and sail canals in Rennes

The next morning, take the high-speed train from Nantes to Rennes, the capital of Brittany. You will be charmed by the genial character and gentle pace of this city. Easy to navigate on foot, the city centre offers many points of interest.

Walk through the Mordelaises Gate in the footsteps of the Dukes of Brittany on their way to be crowned. Look up at the stunning interiors of Rennes Cathedral and the Parliament of Brittany. Marvel at the timelessness of the colourful half-timbered buildings; the old town centre has a number of well-preserved examples.

Enjoy some retail therapy and a coffee at boutique shop/patisserie Chérie Chéri.
You will find fresh ingredients sourced sustainably and packed full of flavour by chefs at Bistro Origines, a former maternity hospital turned entertainment, social enterprise, microbrewery and creative space.

Round up the afternoon with a leisurely electric-powered motorboat ride along the Ille-et-Rance canal. Les P’tits Bateaux offers rentals with no licence needed.

Nightlife in Rennes is something to experience. In the old town centre, find a terrace, square or courtyard and enjoy a pre/post dinner cider. The areas around Saint-Anne, Champ-Jacquet and Rallier du Baty are especially lively.
A dinner recommendation is Chez Brume, a cosy and charming restaurant serving good quality seafood at reasonable prices.

Shop like a local and feast on galettes

Stay in Rennes to experience a weekly shopping tradition (Saturdays only) dating back 400 years. In the early hours, the area around Place de Lices is transformed into a buzzing farmers’ market (the second largest in France) which runs until 2pm. Le Marché des Lices brings together local farmers, growers, fishmongers, butchers and food producers who offer an enticing array of fresh produce from across the region.

Buckwheat galettes are a must-try Breton specialty and the market hosts several food trucks serving them hot and fresh. To avoid the queues, get there early to sample a delicious Galette et Saucisses (or two) before navigating through the crowds to shop for other delicacies.

By mid-afternoon, when the market closes, it is time to head to the Emerald Coast of Brittany!

Can’t get enough of buckwheat? Experience the fusion of Breton and Japanese cultures at Le Breizh Café, a chic crêperie conceived by food entrepreneur Bertrand Larcher. Creative menu items (curated by Chef Raphaël Fumio Kudaka) are made from locally sourced organic buckwheat.
Fancy a quick swim to burn off those calories? Head to the Art Deco Saint Georges swimming pool (built in 1926). The heated public pool sits in a gorgeous bath of mosaics created by the Odorico family.

Enjoy nature in Mont-Saint-Michel bay

It is your final day in Brittany. You’ve tasted its cities. Now it is time to ‘taste’ the sea!

Brittany boasts over 2,860 km (1,780 miles) of coastline, accounting for one-third of France’s entire shoreline. Spend the last day of your trip exploring a small section around Mont-Saint-Michel bay where you can expect lush natural beauty, an exceptionally rich heritage, fine sandy beaches and ever-changing landscapes shaped by one of the most dramatic tides in all of Europe.

Take in gulps of fresh sea air and impressive views from the ramparts of Saint-Malo. Wander along the stunning Longchamp Beach in Saint-Lunaire. Admire elegant villas and belle époque architecture in Dinard or go sand-yachting in Cherrueix. A visit to Mont-Saint-Michel and its stunning Benedictine abbey (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is highly recommended.

Taste the sea – Popular with locals, Le Bistrot Joséphine, a family-run restaurant overlooking the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, sources its ingredients locally and pays homage to the Breton coast with simple but creative and flavourful seafood dishes.

Focus on

Le Mémorial de l’abolition de l’esclavage in Nantes, is a powerful reminder of the tragic impact of slavery and human trafficking. In a bold acknowledgement of its past as a leading port in the ‘Triangular Trade’ (which included enslaved people), this memorial is a poignant reminder of the need to protect the human rights of freedom and equality.

Where to sleep

Mama Shelter
Located in Rennes’ city centre, the colourful boutique hotel Mama Shelter is an excellent base for your local forays. The lifestyle temple offers 119 charming and fun rooms, an indoor spa/pool, retro arcade games, vibrant rooftop and terrace bars and cheerful spaces.

Mama Shelter Rennes

Parenthèse Maison D’Hôtes
Stay at The Parenthesis Guest House, a stylish boutique B&B located in Le Vivier-Sur-Mer curated by Maeva and François. This environmentally conscious and charming guest house offers five thoughtfully themed and spacious rooms with ample natural light and outdoor space.

Parenthèse Maison d’Hôtes

Hey Dip Your Toes In

Eulanda & Omo; award-winning travel, food culture, and lifestyle content creators are based in Kent, UK. They believe identity is not static, and that with every new adventure and experience, we add more fabric to our own. Their desire is that through their blog and social media, others will be emboldened to enrich the tapestry of their lives!

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