Hello. We are planning a trip to Brittany in Sept-October. We plan to spend 4 days in the Dinan area and would like to find one town to stay in on the coast to west/southwest.
We’d like to drive to visit other locations. What do you recommend? Looking for town recommendations, but gite or hotel recs welcome. Thanks!
you need the Michelin Green Guide for Brittany. It lists just about every town of interest to a tourist, has suggested driving routes, and more.
We stayed in Locranon--absolutely charming town. From there we visited Quimper and coastal sites, including Douarnenez a town with a beautiful beach. In Locranon we stayed at Logis Hôtel Rest. le Prieuré, which has a wonderful restaurant.
We enjoyed a Brittany trip several years ago. After flying to Brest for a couple days, we rented a car there, and headed out. It’s on the coast, due west of Dinan, but it’s a big city, and less charming than other places in Brittany.
Farther south, Quimper (aka Kemper as well as Quimpair) was a fascinating Renaissance town, although it’s a bit inland from the coast. Same with Pont-Aven, where many Impressionist artists were based, long ago. We had memorable stays in both.
Nearby is Concarneau, on the coast, a nice town where we also stayed.
Last, Lorient was good, a small city on the coast, and from where we also did a two-day guided sea kayaking and camping trip to the Isle de Groix.
If you can, on your way from Dinan, stop off at Josselin, a medieval village with a fairytale castle.
Schinn, our TR below may be of some use.
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/lappel-de-mer-a-southern-brittany-tr-also-paris-1723447/
I did a tour of Brittany by car, but I was lucky enough to have a local friend do the driving. We did what they call the Route des Phares which was winding through little villages along the coast looking at lighthouses in an area called the Finistère (Land's End). We did beach combing (I found a little sea glass) and had picnics out on the rocks. It was a fantastic trip, and one that could only be taken by car.
Now, since I was along for the ride, rather than driving, I couldn't necessarily tell you any specifics about our route or where we stayed. But one place I remember was in a little village where we stayed in a hundred year old stone house right on the shore (the house belonged to the mayor of the town who was a friend of my friend - so not something you'd find on Travelocity.) I believe the village was Plouguerneau but we wound through so many little towns and villages, I lost track.
My absolute favorite lighthouse was the Île Wrac'h lighthouse which is on a tiny "island" which you can only reach by foot at low tide.
Thanks to everyone for your wonderful suggestions!
There are so many options—it is hard to choose just one! I suggest staying in Perros-Guirec, which sits right on the waterfront along the stunning Pink Granite Coast. It’s less than a two-hour drive west of Dinan, but you should make it a full day’s journey, stopping in beautiful places like Dinard, Cap Fréhel, and Saint-Quay along the way.
In Perros-Guirec, you’ll be in the heart of the Pink Granite Coast and have access to some truly spectacular coastal hikes. Don’t miss the Friday morning market, which spreads across three different plazas and makes for a delightful experience. On Saturday, you can take part in a “longe-côte” (water walking) activity on the famous Trestraou Beach—wetsuits, gloves, and shoes are provided. The nearby towns of Lannion and Trégastel also offer plenty to explore.
Emma from Crepes & Travel.
