When to visit Brittany
"Rainy" is the reputation of Brittany. While it sure does rain (where doesn't it?!!),it is far from being excessive and the rain brings it's charm while it falls! In fact, it's thanks to this reputation that the region has continued to preserve it's charm and beauty, making it a perfect destination to visit without being over crowded with tourists.
Brittany has its peak of visitors in the summer, like many other places, when the sun shines on the regions numerous beaches. It is at least the time of the year when the temperatures are high enough to swim without a wetsuit!
Brittany in the summer also offers a large range of activities such as surfing, cycling, hiking and horse riding amongst others. Find out more here about what to do in Brittany.
Brittany in spring and autumn is equally one of the peak seasons as the temperatures remain mild and the rain and storms less frequent. Moreover, the prices in the region for accommodation tend to be lower.
Brittany in winter is for us our favourite period. Nature is wilder and the coast less populated. It is the best time to admire the surfers hitting the waves at the Pointe de la Torche, one of the top surf spots in the world. In the winter, Brittany is a region for gastronomy: the fish is abundant, and what is better than enjoying seafood platters with family and friends? So what other advantages are there to spend a winter in Brittany? It is one of the regions in France where is rarely under 10 degrees Celcius and prices are lower.
The holiday home of Le Presbytere in Brittany is open for reservations throughout the year.
How to get to Brittany?
Brittany is the region the furthest to the west of France. The region is very accessible by car via the highway system ( and the only highway system in France which is free to drive on!). The region is also accessible by the highspeed TGV trains. Thanks to the new TGV Atlantique line, Quimper is only 3.5 hours from Paris. Trains also serve stations such as Lorient, Vannes and Brest. If trains are booked well in advance, you can easily get a ticket from Paris to Quimper for less than 40 Euros each way.
Brittany is still a region in France where holidays tend to be cheaper througout the year.
It's also possible to fly to different airports in Brittany. Airports such as Nantes, Quimper, Lorient and Brest are all within easy access of maximum two hours from Le Presbytère.
The best way via public transport to reach our gite in Brittany, Le Presbytère in Plomeur is to arrive in Quimper by train/bus and rent a car for the final 20kms. The gite is located 20 minutes from Quimper.
What to do in Bretagne?
Brittany is full of sport and leisure activities. Water sports in our region is on the top of the list, and mainly surfing.
The best surf spots in Brittany are mainly located in the region of Finistère. One of the top, the Pointe de la Torche, is located very close to our gite in Brittany, Le Presbytere. Other activities include kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing and fishing.
If you enjoy hiking, you will be charmed by the hiking trails between the sea and into the land along the entire coast of Brittany. The GR 34 is the most famous train that follows the entire coast and peninsula. Cycling is also a common activity and the roads are great and well marked.
Brittany is also a land of gastronomy where you will discover exceptional products (notice to lovers of crêpes, cider and seafood!). At Le Prebytere in Plomeur we also offer fishing activities by foot followed by cooking classes to enjoy your catch.
If you like horse riding you will love riding beautiful horses on the gigantic fine sand beach of La Torche.
What not to miss in Brittany and Finistère?
A few lines are not enough to list all the things not to miss in all of Brittany. As the locals say: you need ten whole lives to know Brittany!
Nevertheless, during your holiday in Brittany and at Le Presbytere, it is possible to enjoy many of the secrets the region has to offer.
So here are our favourites!
La Pointe de la Torche
We fell in love with the Pointe de La Torche during our first visit. This wilde side of Brittany and the large beaches surrounding it. To walk there is amazing. There are also a lot of walking trails both on foot and for cycling around the protected sand dunes. Moreover, La Torche is THE most reknowned surf spot of Brittany. Our chance? Our gite Le Presbytère is less than 10 minutes away!
The old town of Quimper
We love walking around in the old town of Quimper, which has kept it's medeival charm. For lovers of shopping there are more than enough stores to suit all tastes. And the cafes located on the small cobbled streets are perfect for a coffee or an aperitif. Don't forget to visit the majestic cathedral. Quimper is about 20 minutes away from Le Presbytère
Fishing by foot
Fishing by foot is a super activity to do as a group and is perfect for all ages. The region of Finistère has a number of secret spots where one can find many types of shellfish. The most common and easiest to find is the cockle. These places are known to the locals and usually kept secret. Get to know them for them to share their secrets. Once your bucket is full, make your way to Le Presbytère for a cooking class and learn how to prepare a perfect meal for the whole family using your catch of the day: Our favourite recipie: Pasta a la Vongole with wild sorrel!
Bénodet
Bénodet is a beautiful little town by the sea near the river Odet, which flows into the Atlantic. It is a pleasant town that should definitely be visited for lunch. It is also from here that the boats to the islands of the Glénans.
The islands - Glénans
Les Glénans is a small archipelago less than one hour by boat from Benodet. The water is turquoise and in the low season you feel like you are alone in the world when out there. This place is also known for the famous sailing school. It is also a location which is loved by fishers. Definitely a day trip not to miss when staying at Le Presbytere.
Where to stay in Brittany?
Brittany is a region for tourism since way back. There are hence a lot of different options for accomodation.
Hotels in Brittany
Towns and cities near the coast have hotels of all different ratings. The trend for Boutiqute hotels, small establishments focusing on unique experiences continue to open up. Our favourite is Le Bateau Libre in Benodet.
Guest Houses in Brittany
Many guesthouses and bed and breakfasts have opened up in Brittany in unique locations and beautiful historical buildings. It's a good way to discover the region closer to the locals and your host who is there to give you their secrets and recommendations. Guesthouses usually include an overnight stay and a delicious breakfast.
Gites in Brittany
If you prefer a more private setting, you cvan also rent a gite in Brittany. This is equivalent to a cottage and holiday home. This allows you to rent a home in its entirety for your family or group of friends.
Renting a big house in Brittany
A l'image du Presbytère de Plomeur, la Bretagne possède certainement l'une des réserves de demeures insolites et batisses de maitres les plus grande de France. La Bretagne a également beaucoup de châteaux qui se visitent ou se louent. La location de grande maison en Bretagne est courante et vous trouverez beaucoup d'options pour vos vacances en famille ou l'hébergement de groupe à des prix très abordables.
Camping in Brittany
Finally, if you like camping you are in the right place. In the summers, campings open all along the coast of Brittany. Many options are available, should you be travelling with a tent or a camping car or wanting to rent a mobile home. It's probably the cheapest option for accommodation in Brittany.
How to get around in Brittany?
Once you have found your accomodation in Brittany, it's time to think about how you will get around once there. Apart from the large cities, public transport is not very well developed in the smaller towns. There are some bus connections that connect the bigger cities with smaller towns within a certain radius, and luckily for us, a bus from Quimper to Plomeur where our gite Le Presbytere is located.
The best way to get around and to keep your freedom is to rent a car. If you are not arriving in Brittany with your own car there are many different rental options available from the large car rental companies or directly from the owners via platforms such as Drivy.
To get around within the location of your accomodation for shorter distances, bikes are perfect! There are a number of rental companies where you can rent a bike for the duration of your stay.
For the most adventurous, one can also hitch-hike!
Pourquoi choisir ses vacances dans le Finistère?
Le Finistère a toujours été une région à la fois touristique tout en restant secrète. Ce paradoxe s'explique surtout par l'apparence éloignement de la Bretagne par rapport au poumon de la métropôle. Mais le Finistère est aujourd'hui très accessible grâce au TGV qui le relie à Paris. Choisir ses vacances dans le Finistère c'est l'assurance d'un cadre idéal pour se reposer, se ressourcer, le tout dans une nature extraordinaire. Le Finistère Sud et sa côte sauvage est particulièrement beau et truffés d'hebergements de groupe et autres gites en Bretagne.
Where to go in Brittany ?
If you are looking for a vacation near the sea in Brittany, you will find a lot of options. The coast is very large and there are many small villages and towns along the way. You can chose the north coast around Saint Malo, giving you an easy access to Normandie. You can also opt for the extreme west around Brest - a region just as beautiful but less touristic. Or, choose the South with Finistère or Morbihan for its diversity in nature.
What to do as a family in Brittany?
Brittany is an ideal region for a family holiday along the coast. Since the region is still rather affordable in terms of accomodation rental, and as it has a lot to offer in terms of activities, it is a perfect destination. There are numerous large homes to rental, such as Le Presbytere in Plomeur that can welcome big families and groups.
There are many activities for all ages, from water sports, horse riding, hiking and cycling.
Which gite to choose in Brittany?
To easily choose your holiday home in Brittany, it's important to know the size of your group, your budget and the destination. There is a large choise available for rental in the region. The longer your stay, the cheaper each night will become. If you are a large family, or travelling as a few families together, try to find a home that can accomodate you in seperate bedrooms with shared common areas.
Prices usually vary depending on the number of rooms
As an indication, below are some reates for weekly rentals during the mid and high season.
- 1 to 2 rooms : 300€ to 800€ per week
- 2 to 4 chambres : 500€ to 1500€ per week
- 4to 6 chambres : 1000€ to à2000€ per week