Dear all,
I searched a lot trying to understand the differences (and similarities) between La Baule and Biarritz...or between La Baule and St Malo? The reason is...I have never been to La Baule but of cause visited the other two destinations and I LOVED them! I read La Baule and know the beach is amazing...I need to know if it has an old town or vibrant city center with small roads and restaurants like the other two destinations...st malo has many day trips possibilities...how is La Baule? Please compare it to Biarritz and St Malo? Same for La Rochelle...how is it similar or different than Biarritz and or St Malo? By the way our trip will be in August...thanks in advance for your responses...

None of these places can be compared to each other. If you like old streets and buildings and enjoyed Saint-Malo then you will likely enjoy La Rochelle. La Baule does not have an old town or the narrow small streets that you seek. It is a beach resort town that attracts a lot of Parisian tourists, though it is lively and does have a nice beach.

I agree with FMT (including having nothing to say about Biarritz because I have not been there). La Baule has a great beach and just about nothing else. There are many appealing day-trip destinations nearby, but you might be better off using a different base in the area. I like Vannes, but I don't need a beach on my doorstep.

For me, La Rochelle was interesting but not anything like the atmosphere of St Malo.

If you plan to drive to La Rochelle, be aware that parking in the main area is quite difficult. We arrived around noon and drove around in circles for quite some time before we realised that all the signs for 'more parking this way' were actually directing traffic to those same car parks that were already full.

We finished up parking over near the aquarium and walked across the causeway by the old tour, then into the town that way. Di

Thank you all...we like a beach but like an old city ... Am now considering Vannes thanks to Padraig...but again how is it similar or different than st malo?...we like beaches (prefer those with a mountain background or view from far)... Old city with narrow streets...and we don't mind touristy but wish to run away from August heat!

You can easily use Google to get a street-view picture of each of these places. They are all quite different from one another. I've been to all of them. To try to simplify things:

La Baule is a resort - very little "quaint atmosphere" or narrow back streets. Nice beach.

Biarritz is a busy, glitzy surfer's paradise with a big casino and a nice beach.

La Rochelle is also busy, but not particularly glitzy, with a nice waterfront, bounded by two old towers, that is teeming with cafés and restaurants. The town center is charming. There is a small beach in town. Across the bridge is the Ile de Ré, a swanky island with numerous beaches and nature preserves and a few small, charming towns.

St-Malo is a classic walled city with plenty of charm and lots of small streets. Plenty of lively cafés and such.

Vannes is a lovely, classic Brittany town, but not really ON the beach.

There are hundreds of other places that would meet your criteria also. Just to name a few: St-Jean-de-Luz, Collioure, Noirmoutier, St-Brieuc.......

La Baule is just a beach place.

StCinq...I was hoping that you answer my question and still hoping for Stu Dudely to give his input...with your help (and others on Fodors) I planned lovely trips in Provence and DOrdogne in the past years...
I am now looking into this: I have been to St Malo area and I have seen DInan, Rennes, Dinard and MSM. Why don't I try the southern bit (the one closer to NAntes as I will fly to its airport)...also since I need to go go south towards San Sebastián ultimately...but I was so in love with St Malo and Dinard area that am afraid I will be disappointed by Vannes/southern Britanny....hence the questions to compare!
Now, I have a choice to repeat St Malo (satisfaction guaranteed as it ticks all: weather, beach, walled city, alley of narrow streets, lively, touristy...etc). This time I can go see the emerald coast and concale and cap frehel which I missed last year...
Or...do Vannes and the southern part...I found good hotels that suites our criteria in Pornichet and in Arzon...not in Vannes...my inner other voice says: southern part is also famous...u might not love it as much as the northern part but u will definitely not be disappointed...after all this is a famous desired area as well...it also says..try something new..and it is nearer to La Rochelle where u are heading next...am I making sense? By the way, we r a couple with two kids (2 and 7 yrs boys)...that is why a resort with a beach as a base is ideal...I think!! Can anyone help with ANY ideas...given the elaborated version of the questions? Thanks in advance...and please any feedback on Arzon vs Pornichet is highly appreciated...

Try Saint-Jean-de-Luz:

http://www.saint-jean-de-luz.com/

Or Collioure:

http://www.collioure.com/

Or Cassis:

http://www.ot-cassis.com/en/

Thank you ... I think cassis is out of my way...but will definitely look into the other two suggestions!

I have stayed in both Arzon and Pornichet. Neither offers the "old town" atmosphere that you seem to want so much - but they are appealing places in other ways.

If you want (a) a beach for the children, (b) an old walled town (admittedly very touristy), and (c) southern Brittany, then Concarneau ticks the boxes. It is a little further off your route to the south, but not impossibly far.

Thank you Padraig...it looks like a very nice place indeed...checking hotels now!

It might be very difficult to get anything in August. Why not look again at Arzon (some spots there are lovely) and get your old-town fix with excursions to Concarneau, to Vannes, and to Guerande?

Actually I found a good hotel in Arzon...will check...thanks..but to be honest...I am reconsidering going to south Brittany...I was told it is not as nice as the northern part ...not even close ...don't know...very confusing and what adds to my dilemma is the fact that I feel rushed to make a dicision...it is the first time I wait to last moment to plan...of course it was out of my hands...anyways...thank u again soo much...am looking into all your suggestions

In brief: north Brittany wins for rocky coastline; south Brittany wins for beaches. But overall, I don't think there is a huge difference in appeal. Not being a beach person, I favour the north just slightly.

Thanks a lot Padraig...you are a great help...will keep searching...a decision has to be made by this weekend!! Wish me luck...

So I ended up booking 7 days in st Malo and 5 days in Arzon...hope I made the right decision!!

Do come back and tell us about it!