Brittany recommendations

Poshman
Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
edited June 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Toying with the idea of visiting Brittany for the first time - but know little about the area apart from seeing pictures of pretty, Cornish-type bays. With 3 to 4 weeks with a caravan in September, where should I head for? We are 2 oldies who like quiet sites close to good walks, interesting towns/villages and a supermarket not too far away.

If a beach/fishing port is close by, even better. Would think about a week in 3 separate places.

Will weather be OK that time of the year? Will there be plenty of spaces at sites? 

So recommendations welcome over destinations, good ACSI sites and suggested Channel crossing.

Thanks.

 

Comments

  • Frank Gill
    Frank Gill Club Member Posts: 153 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #2

    Love Brittany, living close to Plymouth that is our preferred route. You will be spoilt for choice on places to visit and beaches you can have all to yourselves. But be aware that a lot of sites in France  close in the middle of September.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #3

    The quick answer is 'all of it'. It's a whole lot bigger than Cornwall. I'm two weeks into a three week circular tour and it feels like it has been a bit rushed. Three months would have been a better time-frame. Sables Blanc at Concarneau, although pitches are a bit small, Les Druides at Carnac. Our other stops have been motorhome aires so not applicable for you.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #4

    We love the coast west of St Malo towards St Jacut and Cap Frehel, the Crozon peninsula in the far west, and historic towns such as Dinan, Vannes and  Auray - but a good guide book will tempt you elsewhere for sure. But why wait until September - the nights will be drawing in.

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited June 2018 #5

    Thanks for the suggestions so far, particularly those about the sites from Cyberyacht.  Please keep them coming.

    In answer to ET, we enjoy the summer along the coast in our beautiful home county of Norfolk but then fancy crossing the Channel when the schools go back. Weather tends to be more settled in September. Had too many wet Junes in France in last decade!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #6

    Have you tried looking in on the story section? Chasncath have contributed some interesting details about their travels in Brittany recently. They've moved further south now but you should see some good ideas and places on there. Worth a look. smile

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #7

    Buy Walk Brittany books by Charles Davis. They're in English and great but also buy local maps. 

    The weather could be great (see last year) or dreadful (a couple of years ago). Bit like Cornwall. 

    I can't lay lay my hands on my old diaries for sites as we're abroad at present but you should be able to get in most sites after schools start again.

    You should enjoy it. Fantastic place.

  • C Williams
    C Williams Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited June 2018 #8

    We are currently at Les Embruns, Le Pouldu in Finistere. What a gem. Our first time in Brittany and we are in a five star camping, in the heart of the village and 2 or 3 minutes from the beach. The coastal path east or west is stunning. Nearest town, Clohars-carnet has two outstanding butcher/traiteurs (what is that in English?). Just know it equals good food. Lovely places to visit within 30 mins to 1 hour driving, which suits us as caravanners. Great local markets, including right here if cheese, paella and fresh veg are your bag. Using ACSI plus 3 euro supplement we are on a "grand confort" pitch with EHU, tap and drain for 20 euros. Beautiful indoor swimming pool. Good restaurant next door.  Open till 23 Sept. So will be quiet. Weather? Who knows? But who cares? Scenery will be still be there. Vive La France!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited June 2018 #9

    Off towards home today from a MH aire at le Conleau, Vannes. There is a full site adjacent and looks quite good from the gate. Pleasant location and convenient for visiting the town.

  • Jamsdad
    Jamsdad Forum Participant Posts: 275
    edited June 2018 #10

    Brittany is a lovely region. Its also quite big!. 

    Do go to Western Brittany - Finisterre and Morbihan departments. The Plymouth Roscoff ferry gets you there very painlessly. 

    I would suggest a three site trip, starting at St Pol de Leon, close to Roscoff - Camping Trologot is a good bet, on the coast and in walking distance of the town; then south to Lesconil - Camping Les Dunes, charming, quiet, close to town and coast, and then down to Vannes, Glower Camping  Le Conleau, again close to the coast, but also on the outskirts of Vannes with a good bus connection into a very clharming city.

    Enjoy!

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited June 2018 #11

    Thanks for the comments and recommendations so far. All helpful.

    But a quick gallop through Brittany Ferries website shows some eye-watering prices, even for September. I know there are some astute posters on this site who find seem to find good fares on some of these longer sailings. Any suggestions as to how to get keener prices with a caravan.Otherwise it might be Newhaven-Dieppe or even a longer drive from the Tunnel.

    Thanks.

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited June 2018 #12

    We are planning to go to Brittany in September. For us East Anglians there are no benefits in driving all the way to Plymouth so I have just costed out Portsmouth/ Ouistreham and by going on a Sunday as opposed to the following day, Monday, we could save £94 so you need to play around with the dates. Likewise the afternoon ferry out is a lot cheaper than the morning one. Out of season if you buy CMC cheques you get a big discount on the ferry price so that pays for the cheques and gives you four 'free' nights camping. From Cambridge Portsmouth is 30miles further than Dover but puts you 200 miles nearer the Brittany coast.

  • C Williams
    C Williams Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited June 2018 #13

    We use the tunnel, because it suits our dog best. But we save all our Tesco points and this makes a big difference. Thanks Club Together. This was another tip we got from the Forum.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #14

    Hi, if you are going to use BF then look at the price for an ITX package from the Club.

    These fares consist of the ferry and sites or Club vouchers and can give substantial savings. We usually price up the crossing on its own then with vouchers, or in the past Camping Cheques, and then compare with BF. Also once we have what looks like the best deal we phone the Club to see what they can offer and usually book then.

    Not done it recently so can’t assume same level of savings but our last trip, in 2017, was around £300 cheaper with an ITX than booking direct with BF.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited June 2018 #15

    We have just come back from Brittany (first real time).

    We stayed on a municipal site; Camping du Fond de la Baie in Locquirec. Absolutely beautiful. We had a beach side pitch, woke in the morning to waves crashing. Plenty of walks, especially a beach walk into the town.

    Cant recommend enough. Not in ACSI but does take Camping cheques.

    Good luck

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #16

    But 600 miles extra driving to Brittany and back to take a dog through the tunnel. Mmmm. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited June 2018 #17
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  • VolvoV70
    VolvoV70 Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited July 2018 #18

    We are also East Anglians and Brittany fanatics having been there every year for the last twenty.

    Our special favourites are Lannion (Camping Plages de Beg Leguer) and Camaret (Camping Municipal) but we also love the south coast.

    Just back from a month-long trip. Even the awful weather for the first two weeks didn't put us off from already thinking about next year's trip. We use Poole-Cherbourg out and Caen-Ouistreham back with site vouchers from the Club

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2018 #19

    All these lovely places I missed. Grrrrr.yell

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited July 2018 #20

    Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions for my proposed September first-time holiday in Brittany. There are so many good sites recommended!

    Still have to make a ferry choice.I  need more information about these club site vouchers Brittany Ferries offer and what benefit to me, as an ACSI card holder, these would bring. Are there many sites in Brittany where I could use them? 

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #21

    Many of the sites in Brittany are municipals or family-run sites and many of them charge rates that compete with ACSI discount rates.

    Municipal at Quiberon

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #22

    I agree with ChasnCath - you don't have to stick to the ACSI list. Here's another Brittany municipal site for solitude lovers - Camping du Motten near Aurayand just inland from the Gulf of Morbihan.  This is the Saturday night at the end of June this year  - 8 outfits on a site which would take a couple of hundred. Full facilities all spotless, hot showers, dish washing, launderette, free wi- if of sorts, and priced at 14 euros a night. And that price is valid all through the summer. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #23
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  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited July 2018 #24

    Re the weather.  It is just like being in Southern England so if weather is important and you are going in September then south is the direction.  However, given the beauty of the area probably worth a punt

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited July 2018 #25

    If you are going to Brittany from Norfolk, I would use Portsmouth - Caen. Roads to Portsmouth are free, motorways from Caen to Brittany are free. Ferry + 4 CMC vouchers (worth £87) is as low as £290 if you choose the right days and times

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited July 2018 #26

    There are 24 sites in Brittany and the vouchers cost £21 each so they are dearer than ACSI but the saving on the ferry price is so huge it is worth paying more for four nights pitch. If you look at the booking page for site vouchers it shows you exactly where they are.

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited July 2018 #27

    Thanks to excellent advice from other members, particularly Lagerorwine and Longtimecaravanner, I am now aware I can make a good saving on Brittany Ferries by purchasing 4 site vouchers.The penny has dropped!!

    Now I am sure this question has been answered several times before but may I ask if Riva Bella would still be open if I arrive on the 14.45 ferry from Portsmouth that means I will get to the site in September in the dark at 10pm. Should I book through the club to ensure they let me in at that time of night?

     

    Thanks to everyone for their comments/suggestions.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #28

    The site will be open and staffed when you arrive, but an e mail to them will set your fears to rest.

    You can hand in one of the 4 vouchers you are going to buy as payment when you arrive. Or show an ACSI card and pay17 euros cash if you intend to use the vouchers elsewhere .

     

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited July 2018 #29

    Thanks for that ET. I will email the site beforehand.

    When I Iook through the list of 24 sites in Brittany that accept the CMC vouchers, most of them appear to be 'family' sites. Water chutes and evening entertainment is not really my cup of tea at my age but at least in September they should be reasonably quiet. But not one of the Brittany sites recommended by posters on this thread seem to be in the voucher scheme.

    It would be interesting to hear if anyone can give the thumbs up to any of the CMC voucher sites in Brittany where I might be happy to use one of my vouchers.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #30

    I think you misunderstand what campsites in Brittany will be like in September embarassed

    Of the ones on the Club voucher list i suggest Chateau de Galinee to visit the classy stretch of coast between St Malo and St Brieuc. Les Abers in the far wild, windswept west. Camping Trologot to discover how lovely Roscoff is and to go out to the islands of Batz and Callot. And Le Hallerais for a day or two eating your way around Dinan and walking the ramparts after a hearty lunch. 

    Just check that they will still be open when you go. Good wishes. 

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited July 2018 #31

    Trust me, you can ignore the word 'family' in September. In this country we stay on CLs which tells you the sort of site we like, but we happily stay on family sites in May and June when we normally go to France and from our last trip to France in September 2016 I know that September is not very different from June.

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