Brittany Advice Request - Where to Base?
 

Mrs. P and I will have a week in Brittany and optionally some Normandy in September, sandwiched between a few days on either side in Paris totalling 13 nights. We've never been. So far I plan to get cheap TGV tickets to Rennes when the sales window opens. We'll rent a car. I like Stu Dudley's idea of staying at least a few days in different bases from which to do day trips. My question then is which places would be good for these bases, probably 2-3 nights each, before heading back to Paris.

Parameters: We prefer hotels over BnB's. Logis (formerly de France)? There should be something in the area that would be a fun day trip in case of a rainy day (about 1/3 days have rain according to my research). Any experience with Oceanopolis? Good food even if not starred would be nice. I want to visit a menhir (why not?). We decided to view rather than visit le Mont St Michel (technically in Normandy) but surely want to see the Bayeux tapestry (also Normandy). We will have to consider the logistics of car drop off, which could be anywhere with good trains or all the way into Paris if that would allow seeing something on the way. Options must consider that some drop off points will not be open Sundays.

All advice and opinions welcome.

AJ

We did a shorter trip a few years ago with bases in Dinan in the north and Pont-Aven in the south. Here's a (lengthy) TR - https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...ements-858151/

Brittany is fascinating and huge with lots to look at. My numerous trips have been without a car so restricted to locations for train and bus service. I don't particularly like staying in little villages because they tend to close after dinner. For one north visit base I chose Saint-Malo and took ferries to Jersey and Guernsey. For a couple of the south visits, I chose Quimper and lovely , gracious Nantes which historically a vital part of Brittany isn't technically within Brittany.

The main thing to consider is whether you want to be in coastal Brittany or inland Brittany. It is really quite a large area, so it makes a big difference, as well as the difference between the southern coast of Brittany compared to the northern coast.

Brittany and Normandy are each quite large, and you have only a week as I understand it. I wouldn't pick more than 2 bases.

My favorite town in Brittany is Vannes - plenty big enough to have lots of attractions, has both a fine arts museum and an archaeological museum for when the weather is inclement, a lovely port, and fabulous food. It has good rail connections to other places in Brittany, but it doesn't sound as though you'll need that except for a car drop-off maybe.

I also like Dinan and St-Brieuc, lots. And Normandy is of course full of treasures too. You've got a lot to choose from. You should by all means seek out menhirs and dolmens.

IMO, inland Brittany is not nearly as interesting as coastal Brittany.

If I had to choose only 2 bases in Brittany, I would choose Rennes & Vannes. Both are less than 1 1/2 hrs from Rennes. Stay more nights in Dinan so you can visit the pink rock section from there. Lots of menhirs near Vannes. You have a list of the starred restaurants (in my itinerary) near Vannes - and which ones we liked the most. There are also several starred restaurants near Dinan. We will be near Dinan for 2 weeks this June, and I will "update" the restaurant section of my itinerary for Dinan.

Stu Dudley

Rennes is about as inland as you can get in Brittany.

Yikes - I made a bo-bo. I meant Dinan and Vannes. Thanks, I'll edit my original post also.

Stu Dudley

I guess I can't edit any of my posts except the most recent.

Stu Dudley

Yeah, the moment anybody else posts, you can't edit, no matter what the site.

We had a month in France last year and enjoyed Dinan and Vannes. Both very attractive small towns with beautiful historic buildings. In both, we stayed in cheaper hotels in the middle of town. We stayed in St Malo a few years ago and loved it. Rennes was not a favourite, would not return.

They were doing massive renovations to the train station in Rennes but that was months ago so might be finished. If you are driving this won't be relevant but if you decide on public transport to Dinan, the TGV to Rennes then the bus to Dinan seemed the most efficient. The bus station is also at the train station (round the side).

Kay

I thoroughly enjoyed Rennes and Dinan. If the northern coast appeals (I loved it!), consider Ploumanac'h.

I believe the limit for editing is one hour, whether someone else posts or not. I could be wrong!

Océanopolis is a great aquarium in Brest, for sure the best one in north west of France. In case of rainy days, there are interesting museums in St Malo, as well as a German fortress of WWII. In Lorient there is la cité de la voile, in the frame of another German submarine base. For an art lover, Pont Aven is a good place too, as well as larger cities like Quimper, Rennes, Vannes or Nantes.

The Quiberon peninsula has quite a few fans. I have actually not been there yet myself, but it is on my priority list.

The western "Cote Sauvage" of the Quiberon peninsula is quite nice. There is even a surfing beach there where people were taking lessons. The town of Quiberon is "miss-able".

Stu Dudley

Quimper for western Brittany and Vannes for the megalith area.

We like Cancale in the north--or Honfleur, and La Trinite sur Mer and Pont Aven in the South. You almost can't miss by staying anywhere in Brittany. It's all good.