Background – It was our first trip to Brittany but we are already planning our next visit as 12 nights was not nearly long enough to discover everything that the region has to offer. My parents had never travelled outside of the UK in their motor home and so the proximity of Brittany from the UK made it the perfect destination for their first overseas adventure. This article shares our Brittany road trip itinerary.
We were all completely blown away by Brittany, it is an absolutely stunning part of France. Our highlights were boat trips to Houat Island and the Glénan Islands, walking along side a 40-foot mechanical elephant at Les Machines De I’ile in Nantes and swinging through the trees in Carnac.
Table of Contents
Two week Brittany road trip itinerary (starting in Nantes and exploring Carnac, Houat Island, Bénodet and the Glénan Islands).
Three nights Nantes
My parents travelled across to France with Brittany Ferries in their motor home and met my boys and I in Nantes. We started our tour around Brittany with two days and three nights in Nantes, using a campsite in Nantes as our base.
Nantes is an incredible city, located on the river and home to lots of attractions for families with kids of all ages. You need to spend at least two full days in Nantes to see the main sights, although next time we will definitely stay for longer. You can see what we got up to in this post – 48 hours in Nantes with kids. The highlight of our visit was a trip to The Machines de l’île to see the famous mechanical elephant roaming the streets…
I thoroughly recommend the four-star campsite we stayed at – Nantes Camping, http://www.nantes-camping.fr/ You can read our full review here – Review Nantes Camping.
Two night stay in Carnac
We chose Camping Le Moustoir in Carnac as our base to swing from the trees at Foret Adrenaline and jump on a boat to explore Houat Island. To be honest it was a perfect location for Foret Adrenaline but the one hour early morning drive to join the boat at Port Navalo to travel over to Houat Island was a killer! (I would suggest booking a campsite in Arzon if you plan to visit Houat Island to be close to the boat pier and avoid an early morning drive).
The rope courses at Foret Adrenaline are absolutely brilliant and I would thoroughly recommend for families with kids (and big kids!) of all ages. We had such a fun morning –
Day trip Houat Island
Houat Island is truly spectacular and well worth a visit. The island is just 5 km long by 1 km wide and has some of the most spectacular coastline I have ever seen. Click here to read our review of Houat Island and tips for visiting with kids.
Recommended campsite Carnac – We stayed at Camping Le Moustoir, Carnac, http://www.lemoustoir.com/. The campsite is located in a perfect spot for exploring the Carnac famous stones and has lots of great facilities for families, as you can see below. Click here to read our Review of Camping Le Moustoir, Carnac.
Seven night stay in Bénodet
We stayed at a campsite near the market town of Bénodet for our last week which was the perfect location for beach days, coastal walks and for visiting the nearby Glénan Islands.
The Glénan Islands were the main reason that we decided to visit Brittany. I had read about the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches and knew I had to experience a trip out to the Glénan archipelago. Click here to see our video and read our review and tips for visiting the Glénan Islands with kids.
Recommended campsite Bénodet – We absolutely loved the campsite we stayed at in Bénodet – Camping Du Letty, http://www.campingduletty.com/). We had originally planned to stay just a few nights but loved the campsite beachside location and facilities so much that we extended our stay. There are a few pics below and you can read our full review here – Review Camping Du Letty.
Other family attractions Bénodet
We had intended to visit several other local attractions recommended to us by the Brittany tourist board but to be honest my boys were so happy rock pooling and swimming in the pool that we enjoyed a pleasurable few days at our campsite and nearby.
For our next trip to Brittany we intend to visit the walled town (ville close) in Concarneau, the riverside village of Pont Aven, watch the surfers at Pointe de la Torche and have a day out at Océanopolis aquarium in Brest. (Edited 20th June – We have just returned from a stay at Domaine de Kerlann near Pont Aven, another campsite we thoroughly recommend – Reviewed: Domaine de Kerlann).
As we plan to explore northern Brittany during our next visit we will travel across with Brittany Ferries possibly from St Malo. Here are a few reasons why we are tempted to ditch the flight!
I hope you have found this two week Brittany road trip itinerary useful. Please do let me know if you have any questions about any of the attractions or campsites we visited in Brittany. I am happy to help.
Disclosure – We were invited as guests of Brittany Tourist Board to review the campsites and attractions mentioned in this article. All words and opinions are, as always, my own. This is a collaborative post with Brittany Ferries.
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I would so love to do this, I have driven in France for our last three holidays around Normandy, Picardy and Paris and loved it! Kaz
Hmmm I’m just dreaming of a road trip to Brittany now. I love driving in France and think it’s a great destination to take the family as it’s so on our doorstep too! Nantes and Benodet look just wonderful!
This is a part of France I’m really keen to explore, and you’ve packed this post with lots of inspiration for us. I really think that moving around helps you really get to know a place
What an amazing few weeks! I’ve never been to France but I’d LOVE to go and love to take the kids. We are now campers (as of last year) and it looks like you found some great places to camp! Off to have a closer read of Camping Du Letty as it sounds like a perfect spot for us.
I am SO jealous of all these sunny pics! We’ve never taken the children to France but I’d love to visit soon – there is just so much to offer isn’t there.
There’s so much to do in this part of France. We love it! It’s a great sign that you decided to prolong your stay in the Bénodet campsite. I’ll make a note of it, for the future.
What an itinerary! I just love Brittany. It’s so close …. yet so different! And often sunny x
So glad I checked out your post… have never even considered Northern France for a holiday (apart for a Paris citybreak) only just the south. But that marina and the beaches seem beautiful. I suppose my hesitance is in part due to the fact I don’t speak a word French either and would worry about travelling there with no skills. Do you speak French or found locals who could speak English?
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I have quite basic French skills Sanna which did come in very handy for ordering in restaurants, greeting staff at campsites etc. My parents don’t speak any French at all beyond simple greetings and they were ok and still found the roads very easy to navigate;) I certainly wouldn’t let this put you off visiting France, just pack a mini French vocab book;)
Great to see your route and journey across this part of France. We’ve so much to explore there so this is good inspiration. Nantes is firmly on my list! #mondayescapes
It looks incredible, we so want to do another tour of France we loved our last one, great tips Lisa x
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You would absolutely adore Brittany with your boys Sarah. So much to do with kids of all ages.
It’s fun to see all there is to explore in Brittany. I hope to go there — bucket list place!
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I hope you get to visit soon Sharon!
I’ve never visited the north west of France and I realise more and more how much I’m missing out on. It looks like you had a fantastic family holiday. And so special that your parents could join you :-) #MondayEscapes
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You really are missing out! Book that trip. It’s a shame that Brittany is over shadowed by the popularity of the south of France.
Lovely post! I haven’t been to Brittany for a long time. I need to explore x
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Thanks Donna;)
I love the old houses so much! They have so much charm and character. That beach also looks very peaceful and beautiful. #MondayEscapes
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We were very lucky, I think the local kids had returned to school during our visit so we did tend to get beaches to ourselves;) The weather was also incredibly kind to us
Thanks for highlighting everything there is to do, I had no idea all the time I lived in the UK this is literally on the door step! #mondayescapes
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A short one hour flight or ferry journey! So convenient to get to and cheap too;)
Sounds like a great itinerary for a road trip! I’d love to see that mechanical elephant! It’s definitely useful that you reviewed so many of the campsites so that people can know where to stay in the area. #MondayEscapes
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I hope it is useful for other families. It can take a long time to plan a family holiday!
I’m still a little hesitant on road trips with our kids, since they are still young and don’t love being in the car that much. But these stops would make it worthwhile! #MondayEscapes
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All of the stops were not too far from each other too Celine. My boys are pretty good in the car but I don’t like spending too much of our holiday in the car when we can be out and about exploring;)
WOW!!! We love slow travel, and so this itinerary looks just perfect! I would never have considered Brittany if not having read your post! #MondayEscapes
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Glad to hear I have brought Brittany to your attention Ariana!
I love Brittany and visit when I can from over the border in Normandy. Carnac is wonderful and I really want to visit the giant mechanical elephant in Nantes. #AllAboutFrance
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I need to return and spend more time in Carnac Rosie. Our trip has definitely left me wanting to see more of the region!
Lisa I loved following your trip, and you have really inspired us to visit next year in the camper van. Houat Island looks beautiful. It is somewhere I have wanted to visit for so long, thanks for the inspiration I am hoping we may just get there next year!
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Aw what a lovely thing to say. Thanks Mrs S;) I hope you find this useful for planning your family trip
Ooh you now have been considering Brittany as a holiday destination. Thanks for the tips
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Whoop glad to hear it!
Loving the inspiration to travel to Brittany. Have pinned your ideas and suggestions for future planning, thank you ;)
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Hope you find them useful Claire
Great post- lots of great suggestions, def going to bookmark this for planning a trip soon. Those blue skies and lovely beaches making me want to escape for sure!
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Certainly beats the grey skies in the UK right now!
Oh you were so lucky with the weather! We’ve done lots in Brittany – love Carnac and Concarneau especially. If you get the weather, there’s nowhere better!
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We were very lucky, for the entire 12 days (apart from a heavy 15 minute rain shower whilst we were on Houat Island which completely took us by surprise!)
I’d love to do this trip Lisa. Britanny is stunning – it looks more like the Caribbean than France – and all the activities you did looked wonderful. Thanks for the road trip inspiration!
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Doesn’t it just! I have spent a lot of time working in the Caribbean and it brought back many happy memories for me being in Brittany;)
Honestly, it doesn’t matter where it happens but rockpooling just has to be a favourite everywhere, doesn’t it?!
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Ha ha yep! Definitely with my boys. They can spend hours collecting and releasing crabs, (ready to collect all over again!)
Brittany looks like a gorgeous place to visit, and fun with kids too! Thanks for sharing your trip :-)
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Very welcome Melissa;)
There are a lot of these places I have never heard of. I think that is the reason why I like this itinerary so much! Those beaches and the machine of Nantes are so cool. The idea of visiting so many islands is tempting. You are making my bucket list even longer!
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Glad to hear it Ruth!
Looks like a gorgeous area to explore as a family!
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It truly is Holly!
Great infographic! Brittany sounds like such a great destination for a family vacation.
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Especially for Brits Anita, it’s just so convenient with different ways to get there too.
You obviously had a great time travelling through Brittany this summer. We often visited Brittany when i was younger, so haven’t been for a good while ow. You obviously had great weather during your trip #MondayEscapes
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We were so lucky with the weather. It wasn’t too hot that my boys were uncomfortable but we had bright blue skies everyday!
Wow, what a great trip! That coastline on Houat Island was gorgeous! Looks like the perfect family vacation, thanks for sharing!
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Houat Island is definitely worth visiting, particularly if you enjoy coastal walks and discovering hidden beaches
This is an amazing post and so informative! We recently drove to Paris for the first time so its great to know that driving to Brittany was equally fine. I’d definitely consider doing it for a holiday next summer. The beaches looked lovely and loads to do for the children too! Looks like you thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thanks for having me a first timer on #MondayEscapes :-)
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Glad you found it useful KellyAnn. The beaches are truly gorgeous. I felt like we were in the Caribbean and not just a short hop across the channel from the UK!
It really is a beautiful part of France isn’t it? I first visited on my French Exchange many moons ago, I remember being so bored at the standing stones of Carnac, ungrateful child I was! :D
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Ha ha yes I didn’t attempt to take my boys to the stones as they are just too young to experience them. They adored swinging through the trees at Foret Adrenalin nearby though;) Much more suited to adventurous families.
Wow Brittany looks really nice! I’ve done Normandy (and big cities) only. Need to check this region out
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I need to check Normandy out next! Share tips for a family holiday if you have any Bea;)
Gosh I’m feeling all nostalgic for Brittany now. It’s such a wonderful place to take children – so many happy memories. And we always found the roads to be excellent too.
#mondayescapes
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They really are Trish, they put the UK roads to shame!
That sounds like a great vacation. Brittany looks like such a beautiful area. I can see why you’d want to go back. #MondayEscapes
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It was great having so much choice – active sports, gorgeous beaches, islands to discover… loved it and cannot wait to return!
I would never have thought Brittany would be so pretty – I’m putting this on the list for next summer #MondayEscapes
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Glad to hear it!
This post makes me feel all summery again! It was rather nippy outside this morning ;-) I visited Brittany as a child with my family many (many!) years ago. Would love to take my boys here.
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Certainly beats the dull grey skies in the UK right now Jenny!
I absolutely agree on staying 3 nights in Nantes. I visited a few years ago and it is still one of the best city surprises EVER! I thought it was such a great place. I have yet to discover the rest of Brittany.
#MondayEscapes
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I was overwhelmed by how much we enjoyed Nantes. Glad we didn’t just rush through on our way to the coast!
Looks like such a good mix of relaxation, sights and culture. I remember visiting Brittany with my family when I was a child and loved it – feels so far yet it’s really easy to get to.
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Yes I think you have it spot on there Samantha, it really does feel like you are much further away from the UK than you are. So convenient for families
This looks like such a fun roadtrip and the pictures are super beautiful! #MondayEscapes
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Aw thanks Lisa. Glad you like them. It’s easy to take good shots when a destination cooperates and provides a fortnight of bright blue skies;)
That elephant is so striking. I’d love to go there….
Such a nice itinerary! Since I live nearby, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Brittany many times and I love it. It’s one of my favorite regions of France! #allaboutfrance
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I need to pick your brains for our next French road trip adventure Diane!
What a fabulous article about Brittany and its attractions – there surely are so many! The promenade in Bénodet looks like a lot of fun. #AllAboutFrance
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Yes I would have loved to of taken part in the water sports in Benodet, but we just ran out of time…. definitely next time though;)
Such a fabulous fortnight. We did.summer holidays like this when I was young although never the Glenan isles which are on my list along with the elephant in Nantes.
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You would be in your element in the Glenan Islands Cathy. So many beautiful spots for taking photos
Happy memories of many summers spent in Brittany when the boys were small, it really is the perfect family destination. We liked getting there with Brittany Ferries, ideally out overnight and back on the fast catamaran. #AllAboutFrance
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Yes I quite fancy the idea of the overnight ferry on the way out. Sounds like such a fun adventure with kids;)
Great pictures! Thanks for the very complete details, so useful. Looks like you guys have a wonderful trip!
This is a great itinerary for exploring Brittany, but you’re right, it deserves more than 12 nights as it’s a large and fascinating area. I’ve been to various parts of Brittany including Nantes and Carnac always by car driving around and mostly in terrible weather!!! You were so lucky with the sunshine during your trip (clever of the Brittany Tourist Board to arrange that too!!!) Your photos are lovely and with all the linked articles I’m sure this will serve as a very useful resource for families planning holidays to Brittany. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance
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I hope so Phoebe;) It’s so time consuming planning a family holiday, hopefully this will help out other families and ensure they make the most of their time in Brittany.
We live two hours drive away from Nantes (in the Deux-Sèvres) and have done for 13 years, yet we’ve never done Nantes (aside from the motorway ring road). I really must plan a trip, it’s been on my bucket list for too long. I helped out on a school trip to southern Brittany when my now 17yr old was in French primary school, so it was nice to revisit many of the things I remember through your photos. Thank you.
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You really must Jacqui. Go this weekend!
Thank you I LOVE this post, we watched a movie recently and I loved the images of Brittany so much that I want to plan a trip…and you have just made it easy! #AllAboutFrance
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Aw so pleased to hear it Carolyne