Located along France’s Northwest coast across the English Channel from Great Britain and just a few hours by train from Paris, Brittany has a fascinating history. It’s strong Celtic heritage dates back to the Middle Ages, when immigrants from Ireland, Wales and Southern England established communities on the peninsula, calling it Brittany or Little Britain.

Brittany, France is located in France’s northwesternmost region, a hilly peninsula extending out toward the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 1: Rennes to the Pink Granite Coast

Arrive to Brittany’s capital city, Rennes, where Brittany’s medieval history is on display through the city’s well-preserved half timbered houses. There are several ways to get to Rennes from Paris: High Speed Train - Paris Montparnasse – Rennes 1hr 30min, or Various Air France and Lufthansa flights from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Rennes – approx 1 hour flight.

In the heart of some of the most stunning landscapes on Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast and facing the Château de Costaérès, set off off on a gourmet voyage of discovery at the restaurant “La Table de Mon Père”. With their grand bay windows, its warm, contemporary-styled dining rooms offer a fabulous view over the ocean. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun set while tasting creative cuisine full of the seasonal flavours of Brittany.

Featuring in numerous good food guides (including Michelin, Bottin Gourmand, Pudlo Bretagne, Gault & Millau and Champérard), the restaurant also has the title of “Maître Restaurateur”, awarded for entirely homemade cuisine.

Day 2: Paimpol-Saint Brieuc Bay-Cap Frehel

Begin your journey to Paimpol, the fishing and oyster center, your first stop. The little fishing harbor has been shaped by its maritime past, starting with cod fishing trips to Newfoundland and Iceland. Today, its glory is an oyster: the famous Paimpolaise!

Shops sit alongside beautiful ship-owners’ houses and half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries on picturesque side streets which you will walk with your guide. The Latin quarter is a maze of old streets that lead to the fishing harbor and marina. On Rue des Huit Patriotes stands a beautiful 15th-century house that is a listed Historic Monument, the Jézéquel House. It has been a hardware shop since 1886. Other sights to see are the Old Tower, part of the old church, and the Church of Our Lady of Good News, completed in 1914.

Close to the center is Beaport Abbey, a magnificent, remarkably well-preserved monastic complex that is a Historic Monument and is well worth the stop on your way to Saint Brieuc.

The bay of Saint-Brieuc ranks 5th in the world by the amplitude of its tides (fair warning). To admire it from above, head for the Pointe du Roselier, Pordic or Les Guettes. Walkers usually take a customary path, along a spray-soaked balcony on the sea, unless they opt for kitesurfing, kayaking or catamaran. Next, head to Paimpol, to survey the lively docks and taste the famous Paimpol oysters.

Step back in time and follow your guide during an exploratory tour of Saint Brieuc, founded by a monk in the 6th century. The ‘fortress cathedral’ of St-Etienne, built in the between the 12th and 18th centuries, bears testimony to his evangelisation. The old quarters of the town, which date back to 14th and 15th centuries, grafted onto the grounds around the cathedral are still full of timber framed houses, three of which are classified historical monuments.

Stroll along the farmers’ market stalls, and pick up local finger food and specialties on your way. Continue with your guide to the bay and the trails.

The Bay of Saint-Brieuc is first and foremost a vast coastal space of cliffs, inlets, dunes, promontories and beaches (fifteen in all). The chemin des douaniers (the “customs path”), a communicating pathway running along the coast of Brittany, once used by customs officials and coast guards, is today open to hikers where the best views of the Bay can be found.

Taking this GR34 route through the terrain of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, you will discover the fascinating diversity of a landscape that changes with the rhythm of the tides. Running between cliffs and dunes, the path is like a balcony looking out over the sea, a protected maritime domain.

Afternoon Cap Frehel Lighthouse
Classified as an historic monument, the lighthouse of Cap Frehel is bathed by the bay of Saint Brieuc, and extends over 100 feet high. The first lighthouse was built in the early eighteenth century on the original instructions of Vauban. The latter is completely redesigned in the first half of the nineteenth century, before being destroyed by the Second World War. The current lighthouse was built between 1946 and 1950, entirely in stone. It is impressive!

Castle of Bienassis
Discover a privately owned 15th century castle, and meet the owners who still live here. This is a super special experience to find out what it really takes to own and run a castle in modern times.

Not far from Fort-la-Latte in Erquy, Chateau de Bienassis is owned by Pierre Yves Huguet along with his wife, children, horses, ducks and the family dog. Can you imagine growing up in a castle? The castle is from the 14th century and has been in Pierre’s family for seven generations.

Meeting the castle dog at Brittany’s Chateau Bienassis

The outdoors are composed of a forest park, a French rose garden, and a vegetable garden. The castle itself is bordered by moats! After crossing the bridge that used to be a drawbridge, you have direct access to the main courtyard. Still inhabited, you will visit the furnished ground floor, living room, dining room, kitchen, guard room, stairs and chapel. Surrounded by a moat and mighty walls, Bienassis is a registered historical monument, and a fascinating look at historic and modern life in Brittany.

Day 3: Art & Relaxation

Meet the artist who will give you a two hour and thirty minute lesson on how to sketch and apply watercolors to your drawing during an outdoor class. Bring back home a unique souvenir from your discovery of Brittany that you will keep forever and will show to your family and friends. Relaxing and fun this class is a unique addition to your time in Brittany.

Enjoy the afternoon on own. This is a wonderful opportunity to follow Darley’s experiences at sea and embark on a catamaran, or paddle-board as she did along the Pink Granite Coast, or discover the Sept Iles nature reserve by boat. Alternatively, go for some VIP yachting with a cocktail on board or enjoy the hotel spa and relax.

If you prefer horsebackriding, enjoy the low tide sandy beach near the hotel, or simply walk along the beach and admire the scenic coast up to Ploumanac’h lighthouse.

Day 4- Pink Granite Coast to the Emerald Coast

Check out at your hotel and head to the Emerald Coast.

Day 5: Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is one of our favorite cities in France. It’s stunning, has amazing history and architecture and is a truly unique experience. We loved it!

St Malo is an ancient rampart city built in the Middle-Ages. This historic walled city was once home to French privateers and pirates, who collected wealth from passing ships and defended the area from attacks from Vikings, and British armies. During the liberation of France in August 1944, the historic walled city of Saint-Malo was almost totally destroyed by artillery fire. Saint-Malo was rebuilt over a 12-year period from 1948-1960.

Walk the ramparts with your guide, hear about these passioning stories of pirates, and explore the farmers’ market the heart of the city. Stop by the covered market (Halles), stop at the butter shop Beurre Bordier as Darley did, and taste local farmer’s butter. It’s the best butter we’ve ever tasted and very hard to find outside of France!

Continue to Maison Gallard following Darley’s steps, for some pastry specialty called kouign-amann and essentially make with butter, before heading to your cooking class.

After lunch, head to the Roteneuf Site, where more than 300 rocks were sculpted by one man for 16 years in the 19th century! Walk the beach and learn more about this incredible site.

Darley Newman in Medieval Saint Malo in France

Day 6: France’s Oyster Capital in Cancale

This morning, after breakfast, drive to Cancale, where restaurants and an outdoor market entice visitors to enjoy fresh oysters and see how they’re farmed. Cancale has been renowned for its indigenous flat shelled oysters since ancient times.

Embark onboard the Ausquémé with Jérôme, a food-loving sailor, and Emmanuel, an ocean-going chef working the spice routes. It’s no wonder that this meeting of minds led to a great idea: to combine gastronomy and traditional sailing aboard the Ausquémé.

Spend 4 hours on board their traditional sailboat, sail the enchanting seas of Cancale Bay, and sample the gourmet treasures of buccaneering days! You will explore flavors directly from the sea, and learn so much about Brittany and its culinary traditions.

After your cruise, spend the rest of the day on your own in Cancale, a charming port ; explore the port of La Houle and in the picturesque “back streets.” We recommend tasting some oysters from the stalls, freshly picked from the ocean farm in the morning.

Darley discovers very big oysters in Cancale France

Day 7: Return to Paris or Home

Safe travels!

Brittany, France Vacation Itinerary