My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris, Normandy, and Brittany for the fall of 2026. We are already very familiar with Paris, and we are pretty clear on what to do in Normandy, but I know very little about Brittany. We will probably NOT rent a car, so I'm wondering what cities/villages you recommend that we can reach by train. (How is the train service in Brittany?)
We appreciate any tips and advice for the trip!
Brittany is vast, encompassing four French departments.
The train network is limited to major cities; if you want to get around, it's best to use the bus network.
Brittany relies on BreizhGo regional transport.
See the network map below:
https://www.breizhgo.bzh/itineraires-et-horaires/plan-du-reseau#8/48.19/-3.21
Or in PDF format:
We spent six days in Brittany last month and also visited that area several years ago. We had a car - I think trying to visit villages without a car would be very time-consuming. That said, here are the places we enjoyed: Saint Malo and Dinan on the north coast. Pont-Aven, Saint Cado, the river port area of Auray on the south coast. For prehistoric sites: Carnac, Locmariaquer, and the boat trip to Gavrinis Cairn. Guerande for a walled medieval town. For prettiest most flower-bedecked village anywhere we have visited in France: Rochefort-en-Terre. Vannes and Vitre were also on our list but we didn't have time for those two. On our previous trip we also visited Quimper and Beauport Abbey (both highly recommended) and the Rosegranite coast in the far northwest which I found under-whelming compared to the coast between Monterey (where we lived for many years) and San Luis Obispo. Rough Guide and Moon both have excellent guide books for Brittany.
On our last trip to Brittany we didn't use a car...no regrets. BreizhGo and trains served us well. We visited Quimper, Cameret sur Mere, Pont Aven, Locronon, Audierne, Vitre and Fougeres, busses got us to most of these . Gotta be able to read a bus schedule. Brad
you need the Michelin Green Guide for Brittany. It lists just about every town of interest to a tourist. You may also want to look at Stu Dudley's Normandy & Brittany itinerary; see https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/normandy-and-brittany-stu-dudleys-updated-itinerary-1670294/
