Please sign in to post.

Brittany next September

My partner and I are booked to spend another two weeks in France, this time with the bulk of the time in Brittany, mostly to hike and kayak, with a bot of sightseeing as weather allows. Our plan is to take the TGV to Rennes to pick up a car and drive from there to a a guesthouse called Cornec just outside of Paimpol for four nights. From there, we have another four nights in Morgat on the Crozon peninsula, ending with two nights in Quimper before returning by train to Paris.

Reservations are made so I’m not looking for suggestions there, but if anyone has any specific stretches of the coastal trail or boat excursions that they can recommend, I’d appreciate it. Or any specific cultural attractions. I have ordered a used copy of the Michelin guide but it has yet to arrive. The breadth of things to see and do in this region seemed staggering and we know that this will provide nothing beyond an introduction to Brittany.

Thank you in advance.

Posted by
1360 posts

Indyhiker,
Don't miss Carnac and the dolmens!

Posted by
272 posts

Thanks, but we won’t be going to Carnac on this trip. It’s too far from our bases and our time in Quimper is meant for Quimper.

Posted by
7162 posts

If weather cooperates definitely take the boat from Paimpol to Isle de Brehat and hike to the lighthouse. Then maybe rent bikes to explore the rest of the island. The boat circles the island for a lovely view of the island and lighthouses from the water. It was one of my best days in Brittany. Also the hike to Cap Frehel is pretty spectacular. It's about an hour and half from Paimpol.

Posted by
482 posts

The coast around Paimpol, (all of Brittany for that matter) is marvelous. The Beauport abbey is a very evocative ruin. Treguier is close by and worth a look. Try to get out to Ille-du-Brehat.
We really liked the Crozon Peninsula. Great coastal hiking...real end of the earth feel. Camaret sur Mere is a cool fishing village. Quimper is one of our favorite towns in France. Dump the car upon arrival in Quimper, not needed at all. Gotta say this is a great itinerary. Brad

Posted by
272 posts

Thank you, Brad. I appreciate those suggestions. Yep, we are returning the car when we get to Quimper.

Greg/Zebec, I’m a long time fan of your trip reports and had already eagerly read your one on Brittany. Your photos from Quimper convinced me that was the right stop for us, especially for the pottery. We can add to our collection. I love the platter you bought in Quimper.

So excited for this trip!

Posted by
25 posts

Hi
The coast between Douarnenez and La Pointe du Van is one the wildest coast in Brittany. Search "cap Sizun" in Google.
Near Quimper, the "Pointe de la Torche" worth the visit, especially when the wind is blowing. For canoe, in south Finistère : Crozon peninsula, the Morgat caves, the estuary of the river "Odet", and the Glenan islands. It's not always easy to find canoe hirers out of season. And near Paimpol, Bréhat is of course a must do, but you will have to take account of the tide currents. It's the same in the river Odet.

Posted by
272 posts

Thank you, Bergoula! I just got the Michelin Green Guide and was looking at that very area (Pointe de Van) and wondered if it might be worth the drive from Morgat. It sounds like it would be.

Posted by
7308 posts

I would keep the car when in Quimper. I go to Quimper very, very often for work (too often, if you ask me), and I would say that a good tour of Quimper takes half a day. With 2 nights, I fear you will run out of things to do in Quimper itself. Concarneau is worth the side trip, for example.

Posted by
25 posts

Hi Crozon is far from la Pointe du Van . Both are very scenic but if you stay only two days in Cornouaille, it would be better to chose. And for Canoe, the best spot is Morgat, near Crozon. But if you canoe you will not have much time to visit the peninsula.

Posted by
272 posts

Thanks for the suggestion on the car, but I’ve identified several things we want to see and do in Quimper. I don’t think we’ll run out of things to do. Plus, rentals are just not as inexpensive as they used to be.