I am looking at a guided cycling tour in this area at the end of May. We visited Brittany on a driving trip perhaps 20 years ago and really loved it, particularly seeing the churchyard close(s) and quaint small towns. That visit was mid-summer though. But, we didn't really visit the part of Brittany the cycling tour covers, although we did take in an international Celtic festival in nearby l'Orient. If you have been to this tour's area, I would appreciate some comments on the countryside and the surrounding area in general, not just the towns where we'd be staying. I have read about the southern coast of Brittany in places having given its soul over to big beach resorts, and standard beach resorts do not interest me in the slightest. I want to visit authentic Brittany and can't figure out if this tour encompasses Brittany's real ambience.

The trip starts with a 2 night stay in a vintage hotel in LaBaule. (From what I have read, LaBaule per se doesn't particularly interest me, but I don't know about the surrounding countryside.) We'll ride along the Cote Sauvage for a ways to LeCroisec. We'll cycle to the Briere and Kerhinet areas.

Then we'll cycle north of LaBaule to La Roche Bernard for a 2 night stay. On the way we'll observe the salt marshes and harvesting and stop in Guerande. The next day cycle to Muzillac and Billiers.

Then cycle from Surzur to Château de Suscinio for a visit. Cycle along the route des Huitres. Cycle to Locmariaquer for an overnight.

Cycle through Carnac towards Hennebont. On the way there go through Île de Saint-Cado and the river Etel and Plouhinec to Hennebont where we stay for 2 nights.

The last day of cycling, visit La Maison de Île Kerner. Go to the village of Port Louis with its Grand Plage (not that a beach is at all appealing this early in the season or at any time for me).

What do you think? Does this tour reveal some more of Brittany's true essence? Or, having visited Brittany before, will I be disappointed? Thanks.

The first part of the tour isn't in Brittany any more, but in Loire-Atlantic. We have been to the area a couple of times with the camper van. I admit it isn't my favourite part of Brittany, but it is still a lovely area. May is a good time for such a tour, before it gets too overloaded with holiday makers.
If you get the chance to stop in Erdeven there are standing stones you can walk among for free, impressive as Carnac is I prefer the quieter sites where you get more of a feel of the history and the mystery.
I haven't been to Port Louis though I know it has a citadel.
You will probably be cycling into the wind much of the time!

How did your February trip go? Did you do a trip report somewhere?

I thought of you when I watched this video:
- maybe that would appeal to you as a tour?

Anyway I hope you will have a good time whatever you decide!

I would consider visiting the prehistoric site of Gavrinis in the Gulf of Morbihan. It is on a small island, and you take a quick ferry ride there. You need to reserve tickets for the site and the ferry in advance.

I am now debating whether this particular cycling trip is going to suit what I am looking for--quintessential Brittany. I am still looking for a cycling trip this spring and haven't yet found one that goes where I want to go when I want to go. That's why I have been posting these questions about various areas.

In February I participated in the first ever cycling trip in Egypt. It was a good trip and I am happy I did it, but I have now seen all I need to see of Egypt and don't feel a need for a return trip to the country. No trip report yet though.

hetismij2 I watched the video and actually recognized one of the guides as one on a previous trip I took. And, it was a good video for me to watch because this particular Burgundy trip isn't what I want; it reminds me too much of an adventure my husband and I had when we rented a self-drive boat for a trip on the Canal de Garonne.

My trip report for that: Bordeaux, la Rochelle, Toulouse & Garonne-by bike, self-drive boat & car

I wasn't suggesting it for you julies it just made me think of you and your adventures.
I hope it brought back some happy memories for you though.

I looked at Brittany for tours last year, but they were nearly all self-guided. The company we used - we rented their gite and did our own trips in the end - no longer offer guided tours either.
The only one I have found this year is a British company, but I don't think their dates would work for you.
https://www.peak-tours.com/shop/brittany-by-bike/

We were thinking of Sweden this year, self guided, but I think it will be too expensive to get there sadly.

I'm glad your Egypt trip went well, and hope you can find a tour which appeals for Brittany, or maybe somewhere new!

I checked out the link for peak tours. Those are serious cyclists! I am interested in something much more leisurely.

I am all over the place in terms of countries now thinking about cycling tours, and as usual it's pretty last minute planning for me.

Two years ago I did a bike and barge (not my favorite type of trip as a single when everyone seems to be paired up in couples) from Amsterdam to Bruges and am perhaps actually considering another one in the Netherlands because I liked the country and the cycling. Historic Hanseatic Cities. https://www.boatbiketours.com/tours/...emorable-tour/

Thanks again for the assistance.

That looks a nice trip I used to live near Bunschoten-Spakenburg and Naarden. All the places they visit on that are lovely. The Ijssel is a lovely bike riding area.
You could also have a look at sail and cycle - on traditional sailing ships from the same company. A couple of them comes into my home town, and the one which includes the Weeribben is an interesting one too, but they offer some tempting routes in other countries too.

https://www.dutchbargecruises.com/to...den-sea-2026-1 is another company offering sailing and cycling.
I can understand the reluctance of being the only solo on a trip like that, but hopefully people will be friendly and make you feel welcome.

I would seriously consider an e-bike (electric assist - you still have to pedal) to cope with the "Dutch Mountains" - the wind! It can get old really fast cycling into a strong wind.

Despite being breton, having spent my youth in south Brittany and still visiting my parents who still live there, I am struggling to define what would be "quintessential Brittany". It could be the small bits of culture that still survive through festnoz, festivals (like the one you attended in Lorient) or pardons. It could also refer to some iconic places like tiny harbors (Doelan), "old" villages (Locronan), Vauban forts (Port Louis, Concarneau, Belle ile), spectacular scenery (pointe du Raz, north coast), churches and closes.... In a nutshell, as opposed to other provinces where you would know immediately where you are, Brittany is not homogeneous.
Also to consider is the "cycling experience". Expect a lot of traffic on these roads. Personnally, I would chose a quieter area like central Brittany for such a trip, something like from Forêt de Broceliande to Huelgoat via Josselin, Pontivy, Le Faouet...

rouelan Your posting is right on for me, especially when you listed my reference to "quintessential" things. When we visited years ago we did attend and love festnoz. Architecture in some of the small villages with their memorials were also memorable. And, interestingly enough, when you mentioned quiet and interesting roads for cycling, we rented bikes for a day cycling trip and I seem to recall that it was near Pontivy and Josseline.

I think the responses that you have all given me have turned me away from the cycling trip I was wondering about.

Now I am seriously doing a 180 turn and contemplating central Netherlands and the trip I linked above that hetismij2 says sounds lovely.

Thanks again everyone.

There is an old canal eg https://ilovewalkinginfrance.com/nantes-brest-canal/ which might interest you. I once developed a cycling map based on fat cycling for the older cyclist and this one I've not gotten around to. You'll know about these I guess https://www.brittanytourism.com/matc...s-in-brittany/