Good base in Brittany?

Glowing

Hi all,

Taking the ferry to Roscoff with the hubby and our (will be then) 9 month old. We're staying 2 weeks in France and intend to base ourselves in Brittany - potentially renting 2 gites (or mobile homes) for a week each.

We're just looking for some ideas for nice towns to base ourselves in. We ideally don't want to be driving more than a couple of hours from Roscoff, and would like to spend a week in the country, and a week near the coast.

We were thinking of a place called Moreac near Pontivy for a week, but does anyone have any other suggestions? We don't have any 'must see's really - just want to potter, see a few markets, some nice food, some nice walks etc, so we're not too fussy

Thanks!

P. Breathnach

Most people who travel to Brittany head for the seaside resorts, and the big question for them is whether it is best to head for the north or south coast. Inland Brittany is a whole different thing, for the most part much less touristy.

I don't know Moréac, and a Google search tells me why: it seems to be a bog-standard small Breton village (3 bars = very small village). You might love it there, because I form the impression that you would not be the most demanding tourists: pottering about and looking at markets and stuff sounds like my idea of fun.

You might consider Huelgoat (http://www.huelgoat.net/). It's in the Monts d'Arrée, Brittany's version of high mountains. Or dig in here: http://www.brittanytourism.com/discover-brittany/hidden-gems/.

A couple of hours from Roscoff is a fairly generous brief, as the roads in Brittany are good and not very crowded.

Some of the nicest coastal areas in Brittany are quite near Roscoff: head down to Morlaix (nice town, fantastic market), turn left, and almost every place along that stretch is appealing. Renting accommodation within walking distance of the sea can be very expensive; within a ten-minute drive of the sea is merely expensive; slightly further inland is a good deal cheaper.

I hope you like seafood. That, and crèpes, is what Breton cuisine is about.

Glowing

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Most people who travel to Brittany head for the seaside resorts, and the big question for them is whether it is best to head for the north or south coast. Inland Brittany is a whole different thing, for the most part much less touristy.

I don't know Moréac, and a Google search tells me why: it seems to be a bog-standard small Breton village (3 bars = very small village). You might love it there, because I form the impression that you would not be the most demanding tourists: pottering about and looking at markets and stuff sounds like my idea of fun.

You might consider Huelgoat (http://www.huelgoat.net/). It's in the Monts d'Arrée, Brittany's version of high mountains. Or dig in here: http://www.brittanytourism.com/discover-brittany/hidden-gems/.

A couple of hours from Roscoff is a fairly generous brief, as the roads in Brittany are good and not very crowded.

Some of the nicest coastal areas in Brittany are quite near Roscoff: head down to Morlaix (nice town, fantastic market), turn left, and almost every place along that stretch is appealing. Renting accommodation within walking distance of the sea can be very expensive; within a ten-minute drive of the sea is merely expensive; slightly further inland is a good deal cheaper.

I hope you like seafood. That, and crèpes, is what Breton cuisine is about.

Wow, that's great, thanks for that. Will have a look at those links later. This is our first holiday with a baby so are reluctant to set the bar too high!

LOVE seafood & crepes.

Professor Knowall

I have been going to Brittany for the last 6 years. After travelling around and staying in various places, I find Dinan the nicest place to stay. If you have a car, you can still take trips to Mont San Michel and San Malo etc. Avoid San Brieuc at all costs.

P. Breathnach

Professor Knowall wrote: »

I have been going to Brittany for the last 6 years. After travelling around and staying in various places, I find Dinan the nicest place to stay. If you have a car, you can still take trips to Mont San Michel and San Malo etc. Avoid San Brieuc at all costs.

I feel the same about St. Brieuc. Dinan is very attractive, but is perhaps not the best place to go with a child in a pushchair: too many steep slopes and cobblestones. It's the same problem with the Mont St Michel, but it's such a special place that it's possibly worth the struggle.

OP, can you envisage carrying your child in a sling?

Glowing

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I feel the same about St. Brieuc. Dinan is very attractive, but is perhaps not the best place to go with a child in a pushchair: too many steep slopes and cobblestones. It's the same problem with the Mont St Michel, but it's such a special place that it's possibly worth the struggle.

OP, can you envisage carrying your child in a sling?

Funny you say that, we just got her a rucksack ... We would like to visit Dinan alright, have read a bit about it, but would there be enough in that area to keep you busy for a week?

P. Breathnach

Glowing wrote: »

Funny you say that, we just got her a rucksack ... We would like to visit Dinan alright, have read a bit about it, but would there be enough in that area to keep you busy for a week?

More than there is near Moréac! Especially as you seem to like the idea of pottering about.

As Professor Knowall has said, you can make excursions to St. Malo and to the Mont St. Michel. I would add Dinard, Dol-de-Bretagne, and Mont Dol.

ollaetta

I was looking for Moréac on Google Maps and found it not too far from Josselin. Stayed there a few years ago and thought it was a really nice Breton town with loads to do in the vicinity. Well worth checking out IMO. http://www.brittanytourism.com/discover-brittany/quintessential-brittany/josselin