10 Best Hotels in Brittany, France

At the tip of the magical Pen Lan Peninsula, this luxurious collection of 15th- and 16th-century Breton stone buildings resembles a tiny village—albeit one surrounded by terraced gardens that promise grand vistas of the Baie de Vilaine (Vilaine Bay). Once you step through the 13th-century "Portail de la Verité" entryway, the public areas entice with Baroque ex-votos, Louis Treize chairs, rock-face fireplaces, and plate-glass windows; guest rooms sparkle with checked fabrics, veneered woods, and modern furnishings. Chef Maxime Nouail rules the restaurant, which has a straightforward, classical menu. For a different type of indulgence, head to the spectacular Aqua Phénicia, which has a full spectrum of seawater hydrotherapy facilities and a gigantic indoor pool.

The cobbled streets of the Vieille Ville are visible from this comfortable 18th-century hotel directly across from the town theater. Guest rooms are bright and modern with stylish bathroom; Rooms 11 and 21 are largest, with pleasing views over the Old Town. Tall patrons take note: rooms on the top floor have sloping ceilings. Service is personable and friendly, and parking is reasonable (€10 per day), a real plus in the busy town center.

Nestled in a cove on a quiet strip of sandy beach on the Bay of Douarnenez, this mansion, with its sturdy round tower, is a remote retreat perfect for long, restorative walks; some of the comfortably furnished guest rooms face the water, as does the glass-front restaurant, where reservations are essential. After a seafood starter (sea bream tartare, oysters), try the grilled lobster "Sainte Anne," the turbot with marrow, or the fillet of beef "Rossini."

Dramatic views over Carnac and Quiberon Bay, coupled with a prime location just beneath the famous Tumulus de St-Michel, have been big draws for this modest, family-run hotel from its inception in the 1930s. Many of the comfortable, well-equipped rooms have views to the bay, and those in back overlook the Tumulus chapel. A small spa offers a surprising number of treatments—from thalassotherapy to seaweed wraps and massage—with good-value packages available. Weary travelers can steep in the outdoor hot tub or take an invigorating swim in the pool. An airy dining room with lovely views offers excellent fare (including reasonable prix-fixe menus, replete with fresh seafood) and a sophisticated wine list.

Up a storybook-perfect street lined with ancient half-timber houses, this fetching maison d'hôte dates to the 15th century and has been brought up-to-date in the best way, retaining much of its substantial character and charm. Each of five cozy guest rooms is done up in period antiques with botanical prints and matching fabrics. The Pastorale room, all in sky-blue toile, has Oriental rugs and a view over the pretty garden; the largest room, La Messidor, has a fireplace, rustic antiques, and a view through leaded-glass windows to the quiet street below. Breakfast (included) is served in a quaint dining room or outdoors in the garden with views of the medieval city.

Convenience and affordability combine in the most appealing way at this light-filled budget hotel at the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the railway station. Clean, comfortable, and up-to-date, the hotel offers all the services that assure a perfect stay: laundry, fresh healthy breakfasts, a delightful bar, bright rooms (some with small balconies and unobstructed views of Rennes), all in a chic, contemporary decor. What’s more, the on-site spa sets you up with a small pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and Carita spa should you require a massage or facial.

One of the fine-white-sand beaches that distinguish the Morbihan coast serves as the perfect backdrop for this spare, modern hotel, which calls to mind a cruise ship. All accommodations have a terrace or balcony facing the sea, where guests can indulge in an ample Breton breakfast or simply enjoy a bracing breeze. One bright suite has enormous windows and a wraparound terrace that seems to jut out over the water; smaller digs, decorated in earth tones, have sleek bathrooms and every modern convenience. Another plus is the on-site restaurant with—what else—plenty of fresh seafood offered either in the handsome dining room or, weather permitting, on a large sea-view terrace.

The beauty of the coastline is embraced by this Relais & Châteaux hotel, where guest rooms are far more than just comfortable; long and cruise-liner-low, the renovated 19th-century Breton manor house has been outfitted with dramatic windows—plate-glass, round, panoramic—so as to frame stirring vistas of the endless sea and the cliffs of the Côte de Granit Rose (all rooms have sea views and some have terraces). The excellent restaurant, with a wood-beam ceiling inspired by a hull, has a delightful model of the St-Yves ship suspended from its ceiling; it mostly serves seafood, but the squab is also good.

Surrounded by extensive forested grounds, this storybook 17th-century granite manor, landmarked by a sturdy tower and filled with lovely antiques, offers enviable lodgings; guest rooms vary greatly in size, but most have terraces overlooking the peaceful country garden. Five duplexes in the charming old stone stables offer all the comforts of a fine hotel, including new bathrooms and skylights. Another high point is its fine restaurant (closed mid-November–March), featuring an acclaimed seafood-centric menu. The hotel is close to Quimper and within walking distance of Locronan, one of Brittany's most charming villages.

This landmark hotel—frequented by artists and writers such as Picasso and Breton native Max Jacob in the 1920s—has been completely refitted with cool, light, modern furnishings that blend perfectly with its cove and beach setting. Guest rooms are not large, but 11 of them have great sea views. A garden now adorns the property, and a separate house has been outfitted with three independent apartments with terraces for larger groups and longer stays. Though on the small side, they are private and ideal for families. Didier Lecuisinier's menu, served in the glass-enclosed restaurant, focuses on fresh organic produce sourced from neighboring farms and fishing boats.