On average, how long would a full walking tour of Brittany take?

At a rate of around twenty kilometres a day, expect to take about 100 days to travel the whole of GR®34, which is over 2,000 km long! But you don’t have to do it all in one go: the path can be explored bit by bit, as the mood takes you and the seasons change.

What are GR®34’s levels of difficulty?

The Customs Officers’ Path isn’t a high-mountain hiking trail, but watch out! It requires plenty of stamina all the same. The terrain is uneven: no major summits but a succession of short ascents and descents one after another that really get to be hard work for your legs after a while! The section between Mont-Saint-Michel and Pointe du Raz is more hilly and features most of the differences in altitude, but its landscapes are well worth the effort! There’s no need to hurry: the main thing is to go at your own pace…with the sea as leitmotif.

How do I divide the GR®34 into doable stretches?

Feel like tackling a GR®34 that combines walking along the coast with watersports? Then take a look at our itineraries , which pepper your hike with swims in hidden coves, kayak trips, catamaran getaways and even diving at the foot of the cliffs. Another way of exploring the Breton coastline with an added touch of adventure!

What’s the best time of year to go hiking along the Customs Officers’ Path?

In spring , between mid-April and late June, conditions are ideal for exploring the GR®34. Temperatures are mild, days are getting longer and paths are in bloom. You walk in the light, in the midst of gorse and heather, with the scent of salt water in your nostrils and birdsong in the background. A peaceful atmosphere, very different from summer’s hustle and bustle, and campers also appreciate the warmer nights. And what if you set off in September? That’s a good idea as well! The air is still mild, the panoramic views are still there…and the paths are quieter.

Is accommodation available at each stage?

The path skirts a good many municipalities where gites, campsites, B&Bs and small hotels are ready and waiting. There’s even “Rando Accueil”-labelled accommodation , designed especially for walkers and providing a warm welcome, useful information and appropriate services… everything you need to recharge your batteries and set off again on the right foot. And to find out where best to rest your head at the end of each stage, take a look at all our recommendations and accommodation adapted to hikers’ needs here: Hiking in Brittany: where do I sleep ?

Is there a luggage transfer service along the path?

Yes, and its very practical for lightweight hiking! There are luggage transfer services all along the GR®34. And, on request, many Rando Accueil – and Étape Rando Bretagne -labelled accommodation providers will send your stuff to your next stop-off. In order to organise your itinerary without having to worry about the weight of your backpack, take a look at all the useful information and list of service providers on our page dedicated to luggage transport on the GR®34 .

What equipment is essential when you go hiking on the GR®34?

Before you set off along the GR®34, it’s best to make sure you have everything you need in your backpack. We’ve made you a short list so you won’t forget anything and can walk in complete peace of mind !

What are the path’s most spectacular stages?

The GR®34 covers over 2,000 km of breathtaking Breton coastline. Whether you’re hiking or simply taking a walk, a number of sections provide captivating viewpoints where it’s almost a natural reflex to stop…just to look. We’ve identified 8 of the GR®34’s most stunning views for you.

Are there any specific guides to or maps of the GR®34?

Even when it’s well marked-out, a trail can sometimes play tricks on you. In order to avoid unintentional detours, it’s best to set off well prepared. Maps, guides, topoguides and so on… We’ve selected the essentials to help you prepare for your hiking adventures in Brittany: Guides and maps for hiking in Brittany.

Where can I find more information on hiking?

Need advice or a helping hand with logistics? There are several resources available to assist you: Mon GR® : the Grande Randonnée’s official website, published by the French Hiking Federation (FFRP) Itirando : facilitates long-distance hiking on the Customs Officers’ Path in Brittany Ma Rando facile : organises your hikes’ logistics (luggage transport, provision of a guide, etc.)

GR® 34, the customs officers’ path

This is the most famous of the Grande Randonnée long-distance footpaths! It’s a route steeped in history, salt and sea spray. This is the preferred long-distance footpath of the French: welcome to the Customs Officers’ path! It snakes along the coastline of Brittany for over 2,000 km, from Mont-Saint-Michel to the bridge of Saint-Nazaire. Showing off its red and white markers, it offers anyone who walks it a large breath of fresh ocean air and stunning sea views. Select a section and let the charm behold you: you’ll soon be ready for another little section…

The Tour of Brittany on foot

Out and about in Mont Saint-Michel Bay

On the Brittany-Normandy border, this vast bay is as wonderful as it is famous. Sky, sand, sea, salt marshes, polders, and of course the...

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Les Others

A succession of postcards

To my right, rocky points, wild coastline, dunes, beaches and coves. To my left, marshes, a variety of fauna and flora, a rich historical heritage… and always the sea or the ocean in the background. Every bend on the GR® 34 plunges you into a new postcard. As you walk, the spirit of Brittany invades you, winning your heart, and you feel invigorated by the ocean breeze. The bay of Mont Saint-Michel, the Emerald and Pink Granite coasts, the Abers of the Finistère headland, the Crozon peninsula, the Cornouaille coast and Pointe du Raz, South Finistère, the Gulf of Morbihan, the marshes and the ledges of the Côte d’Amour coast …, etc. In a large splash of green and blue, get ready to be amazed!

A path steeped in history

Created in 1791, the path was travelled by controls of customs officers – hence its name – in charge of preventing smuggling. To keep an eye on trafficking and on the pillaging of shipwrecks, they strode up and down the coastline, night and day, in all weather: think of this when your legs are tired! After falling into disuse in the early 20th century, the path experienced a revival in 1968, when a few passionate walkers decided to make it into a walking route. The famous white and red markers that signpost the route first appeared near Lannion: the GR® 34 was born! Today it goes all around the Brittany coastline, from Mont-Saint-Michel to the bridge of Saint-Nazaire. It leaves a permanent mark on anyone who walks it.

Routes on the GR®34

FAQ: Everything you need to know about the GR®34, the Customs Officers’ Trail

On average, how long would a full walking tour of Brittany take?
What are GR®34’s levels of difficulty?
The Customs Officers’ Path isn’t a high-mountain hiking trail, but watch out! It requires plenty of stamina all the same. The terrain is uneven: no major summits but a succession of short ascents and descents one after another that really get to be hard work for your legs after a while! The section between Mont-Saint-Michel and Pointe du Raz is more hilly and features most of the differences in altitude, but its landscapes are well worth the effort!
There’s no need to hurry: the main thing is to go at your own pace…with the sea as leitmotif.
How do I divide the GR®34 into doable stretches?
What’s the best time of year to go hiking along the Customs Officers’ Path?
In spring, between mid-April and late June, conditions are ideal for exploring the GR®34. Temperatures are mild, days are getting longer and paths are in bloom. You walk in the light, in the midst of gorse and heather, with the scent of salt water in your nostrils and birdsong in the background. A peaceful atmosphere, very different from summer’s hustle and bustle, and campers also appreciate the warmer nights. And what if you set off in September? That’s a good idea as well! The air is still mild, the panoramic views are still there…and the paths are quieter.
Is accommodation available at each stage?
The path skirts a good many municipalities where gites, campsites, B&Bs and small hotels are ready and waiting. There’s even “Rando Accueil”-labelled accommodation, designed especially for walkers and providing a warm welcome, useful information and appropriate services… everything you need to recharge your batteries and set off again on the right foot. And to find out where best to rest your head at the end of each stage, take a look at all our recommendations and accommodation adapted to hikers’ needs here: Hiking in Brittany: where do I sleep?
Is there a luggage transfer service along the path?
Yes, and its very practical for lightweight hiking! There are luggage transfer services all along the GR®34. And, on request, many Rando Accueil– and Étape Rando Bretagne-labelled accommodation providers will send your stuff to your next stop-off. In order to organise your itinerary without having to worry about the weight of your backpack, take a look at all the useful information and list of service providers on our page dedicated to luggage transport on the GR®34.
What equipment is essential when you go hiking on the GR®34?
What are the path’s most spectacular stages?
Are there any specific guides to or maps of the GR®34?
Where can I find more information on hiking?