4 adventures off the beaten track in Brittany |

Why not make Brittany your next destination? We’ve pinched addresses and secrets from Bretons to tell you about four places that you might not have thought of. Four destinations for a perfect break including great addresses, cultural gems, natural encounters and unique evenings. Let’s go, quickly!

In the blink of an eye

1. A mix of nature and culture close to Rennes

Le Château des Pères in Piré-Chancé

A luxury spa and hotel that looks like a tree. A contemporary open-air art exhibition in an immense wooded park; a sculpture or modelling course to reconnect with yourself… welcome to Château des Pères! In addition to its gastronomic restaurant, this exceptional place accommodates a festive and cheerful bistro: the Re-Père. Open from brunch to dinner serving local and seasonal food. It’s the perfect place for a breath of nature and well-being; it’s our favourite sanctuary!

Where to sleep: Domaine du Château des Pères
With a few extra hours: 20 minutes away, head to Rennes for an architectural and arty stroll, from Le Belvédère by Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec above the river Vilaine, to the nearby Tours Maillols.

Ideas

The inratables of the summer, the place to be to treat yourself to a seafood platter, the best views on the GR®34, the best spots to start surfing… in short, all the good...

2. Gentle living by the sea

Lorient

For the best weekend by the sea with a difference, go to Lorient. Why? For the call of the sea and its travelling past, which influences everything: pop-up galleries, terraces, gastronomy, etc. Don’t miss the restaurants of the chefs who have passed through the greatest Parisian kitchens: Karantez, Sources, Gare aux Goûts. A walk around the Base is also a must. Take a boat trip and enjoy an drink in the small port of Locmiquélic just opposite, or continue a little south towards the Gâvres peninsula – a haven of paradise. If you have sea legs and an adventurous spirit, hop on-board the Key Largo, an ecological boat that will take you straight to Groix island, with the added bonus of sunbathing, gently rocked by the waves.

Where to sleep: at Aiden by Best Western, a boutique hotel in the style of Compagnie des Indes, with a designer and bohemian mood. Perfectly in keeping with the theme!
With a few extra hours: head to Larmor-Plage to enjoy a drink like a local, facing the sea – at Villa Margaret, for example.

3. Cultivate art in the city

Guingamp

Head to Guingamp for heritage, contemporary art, shopping and football matches! Strolling around the streets of this little town of character 30 km from the Pink Granite Coast is a journey through time – from the Middle Ages to 21st-century encounters. The sculpted half-timbered houses, the listed former prison, now a centre for art, and the contemporary sculptures that pop up all over the town are worthy of special mention. After a healthy lunch at Be Good Inn, head to the banks of the Trieux or shop for local creations – or you could take part in the Mystère Abgrall, a life-size game to discover the city differently.

Where to sleep: La Demeure, an 18th-century mansion with a cheerful and friendly atmosphere. Sidonie & Compagnie, the tea room restaurant, is also a delight!
With a few extra hours: in the Heart of Brittany, discover the Gorges du Corong with legendary rocks and the miniature village of Loc-Envel.

* Distoufer craft beer, ceramics from Aux gres de l’eau, Breizh Angel clothing…

4. Freeze frame by the sea

Daoulas

A few kilometres south of Brest, there is a little port tucked away in a pretty little corner of the bay: Daoulas. In this incredibly charming medieval town built on the water, you’ll move from island to island. You’ll love the bucolic alleys, the path of its small streams and the beauty of its stone houses. From April, discover the town and its treasures thanks to the Balades Photographiques (Photographic Strolls): they will take you to the abbey’s listed gardens, where an exhibition on world cultures takes place every year. Daoulas also has a group of creators (painters, ceramists, etc.), who are active all year round, a Sunday market, a Natura 2000 bay, and not far from there, in Logonna-Daoulas, a very lovely hut in the summer months… For dining, you can’t go wrong with the Faïencerie, serving local and bistronomic food. It’s a proper gem!

Where to sleep: We love La Maison Chicorée with its swimming pool, large park and access to the river.
With a few extra hours: make the most of the ideal position at the gateway to the bay for long walks along the trail and a whole host of water sports – how about a SUP outing on the Mignonne, to start with?