Road-trip in Brittany and the Atlantic Coast

This summer, make a lot of memories! We have concocted a road trip idea in Brittany and the Atlantic Coast... You'll tell us some news!

France is a wonderful country for many reasons. First, it has an impressive cultural richness, certainly coming from its very long historical life. But France is also the country where many different landscapes cleave, forming a natural picture of the most breathtaking.

Wanderlix offers today an idea of itinerary to realize a road trip by car in Brittany and on the Atlantic Coast. So go to discover the literal landscapes of our country, from Rennes to Biarritz. A veritable sword to the French and to the sailors who will bring you his lot of memories!

1. From Rennes...

Rennes is a city that deserves the detour alone. Dynamic, it is animated by the young population who stormed it. A true cradle of creativity, many start-ups, and other innovations of all kinds, it is a very attractive city. On the cultural side, it enjoys the great influence of Brittany and its History, but also the mix that its situation gave it the chance to have.

Open to the world, Rennes is visiting with alleys lined with half-timbered houses, old buildings, museums and other troquets that make its reputation.

To start this road trip in Brittany and on the Atlantic Coast, we suggest you leave Rennes. Then head to the first stage of this trip: Saint-Malo. If you can, enjoy it to make a detour via Dinan and Dinard. These are very pretty cities with undeniable charm.

2. The coasts of Émeraude, Goëlo and Granit Rose

Brittany is known, among other things, for its wild and beautiful coastline. A long succession of cliffs, beaches, and granitic chaos. This stage will allow you to discover three of the emblematic coasts of Brittany. First, the Côte d’Émeraude, between Saint-Malo and Saint-Brieuc. It is characterized by the color of water which, in places, is emerald.

It will be an opportunity for you to visit Fort Lalatte, Cap Fréhel or Cap d’Erquy. Then, head to the Goëlo Coast, especially the city of Saint-Brieuc. Dynamic and modern, it has a very charming historic centre, which is visited by tasting a crêpe for example!

Finally, the Côtes-d’Armor are a department that is widely appreciated for the Côte de Granit Rose. Not far from the small town of Perros-Guirec, is one of its emblems: the Ploumanac’h lighthouse, a very special granite construction. Indeed, its stones come from the rocks that jalign its surroundings, sometimes chaotic. Also, this piece of the Breton coastline has been protected since 1901 by a union. This justifies its still impeccable condition that delights more and more tourists every year.

To finish this very coastal stage, we suggest you go to Morlaix and discover its viaduct and its eponymous bay.

3. The Finistère, from north to south...

Once you've been to the city of Morlaix, take the direction of Brest. On the road, do not miss Landerneau, a pretty little town located at the bottom of the Rade de Brest, once it became the Elorn. It is a picturesque little town to see if you have time. Then you arrive in Brest, the “Cité du Ponant”. It is one of the European capitals of the sea, due to its radius which is among the most beautiful in France.

The Second World War was not tender with the city, which was then destroyed by many bombings... Rebuilt, it no longer attracts tourists who come to search for the charm of the Breton cities. On the other hand, it is an extremely lively and lively city! Of course, there are a lot of things to do, such as visiting museums, or the Ateliers des Capucins, a true concentration of culture and art in a modern space.

Then get down south of Finistère! On the way, you can make a stopover at the Presqu’Ile de Crozon, where natural wonders await you. The Pointe de Pen-Hir, the beach of the Virgin Island or the Cap de la Chèvre are beautiful places where you can embrace the horizon without any other limit than the infinite.

Further south, discover the city of Quimper, which, unlike Brest, has preserved its ancient charm, with its paved city centre and its cathedral Saint-Corentin. A true city of Art and History, it is all the Breton identity that is reflected by Quimper. Before you leave, do not miss Place au Beurre, the largest concentration of crêperies in Europe! So enjoy it to please you!

4. ...and the Morbihan, from west to east

This fourth stage of the road trip in Brittany and on the Atlantic Coast will make you discover the Morbihan along its coastline. Thus, from Quimper, head east to Concarneau. You can choose to go there, of course. Concarneau is a city to see when visiting Brittany, especially for the closed city.

Once in Lorient, discover this maritime city, very lively in summer and winter thanks to a dynamic municipality. Then take the tangent and go to Carnac where you can observe the very famous menhir alignments that make the reputation of Morbihan. Not far from Carnac, you can also choose to visit the Presqu’Île de Quiberon. A small piece of paradise on earth attached to Brittany via the isthmus of Penthièvre.

Finally enter the second part of your stage: the Gulf of Morbihan. It is a natural and wonderful setting that the Breton coast seems to protect. In its centre, Île aux Moines and Île d’Arz. In the summer, many boats and boats storm the gulf, as it is necessary to admit that the place is ideal for perfect holidays... Also enjoy being around the corner to visit Vannes, the Morbihanese capital. Halfway between seaside resort, medieval city and dynamic centre, Vannes is very easily revealed.

Finally, take the direction of Guérande where we strongly advise you to discover the salt marshes, located not far from La Baule-Escoublac. It is fascinating to see how Guérande salt is made, which we find on our tables all over France.

5. The city of Nantes

Now that Brittany and its literals have unveiled some of their precious secrets, continue your road trip to Brittany and the Atlantic Coast with Nantes and its region. Nantes is one of the most dynamic cities in France, with a very young population and modern infrastructure. There are a lot of things to discover in Nantes, which is why we devote him almost an entire stage. As well as its region.

First, don’t miss the Island Machines, the biggest attraction. These impressive machines challenge the mechanical imagination and demonstrations will be offered! Perhaps even you will be selected in the crowd to guide yourself machines!

The city centre is also worth visiting with its many shops and the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, to which the Nantais attach particular importance. Just like the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, imposing building housing the Musée d’Histoire de Nantes. See also!

6. Roche-sur-Yon and La Rochelle

Welcome to Vendée! From Nantes, you leave the Loire-Atlantique for the Vendée and its treasures. No, not only its delicious bunny: La Roche-sur-Yon and La Rochelle. Two emblematic cities that smell the sun and the sailors. First, La-Roche-sur-Yon has this advantage of being the most populous city in Vendée, so it is very dynamic and lively.

Its proximity to the coast makes it very attractive, especially with the Sables-d’Olonne, the stage of the annual launch of the Vendée-Globe solo race. It has a very rich historical heritage, not to mention the monuments that have flourished over the centuries still standing today. Then go down south, cross the Regional Natural Park of the Poitevin Marais (a welcome stop), and go to La Rochelle.

La Rochelle is a city with medieval architecture that has preserved many of its old structures. Like the Old Port and its two towers, the Halles market or the old city. Very anchored in the maritime landscape, La Rochelle also has some culinary specialties from the sea such as mussels or oysters, which abound.

Don’t miss the Île de Ré, finally very close to the French continent, thanks to its famous bridge. A small paradise and Atlantic island, the Island of Ré offers a lot to discover. Like, for example, the Baleines Lighthouse, the Châtelier Abbey, Saint-Martin-de-Ré or the famous salt marshes...

7. Red and carnal wine: welcome to Bordeaux

Now take a good breath and go straight down to Bordeaux. For the last stage of this road trip in Brittany and on the Atlantic Coast, discover one of the most popular French cities. Known for its gastronomy and vineyards, Bordeaux also illustrates its dynamism, its modernity and its openness to the world. First of all, don’t miss a taste of a true Bordeaux carnelé, gastronomy is a must in the destination.

And why not accompany her with a glass of local wine... These are only suggestions, of course. Bordeaux is also a rich heritage, especially with very aesthetic urban buildings. Don’t miss the Place de la Bourse and its water mirror, near which you’ll certainly see photographers go away to catch the perfect shot.

Then go a little to the west and discover Arcachon, its Bay and its Oiseaux Island. This seaside resort is renowned for its calm but also its oysters. For example, you can devote time to the visit of Arcachon – its city centre, beach and promenade – and then go for adventure at the Dunes du Pilat, a real local attraction. If time and schedule allow, keep time for the Island of Birds.

It is a small piece of land in the center of the Bay of Arcachon which owes its name to the birds who come to find peace there. Otherwise, you can also go to the Cap Ferret, which is in front of Arcachon. However, to access it, you'll have to bypass the whole Bay!

8. Arrival to good port... of Biarritz!

Cross the Landes from north to south to reach the city of Biarritz, south of the Gulf of Gascogne. Biarritz is a city brought by the ocean, where nature occupies an important place. Certainly famous for its beaches and surfers with hair blondened by the sun, there are many other things to discover in Biarritz.

For example, the lighthouse of Biarritz, overlooking the city of its 40 meters, or the Rocher de la Vierge, very frequented and accessible via a bridge dating from the reign of Napoleon III. In the city we recommend a stop at the Halles, a lively heart of the city, where the gastronomy takes on its most beautiful habit!

Since we are on the theme of gastronomy, direction Bayonne where you must taste the eponymous ham. What's more authentic? Not much. But we must know that Bayonne is the emblem city of the Netherlands. At the foot of the Pyrenees, its location allows its visitors to taste the joys of the beach and the mountain at once.

It is therefore very attractive, that one comes for his culture, heritage or landscapes. Its architectural heritage is also very important: wood-paned houses, often dyed with red, are typical of the region, and testify to the long past of the city.

Documents on board

During your road trip to Brittany and the Atlantic Coast, here are the documents you will need on board:

• An identity document;
• The driver's license;
• The certificate of registration of the original vehicle;
• Vehicle insurance papers.

Also consider having in your vehicle the following elements, which are mandatory:

• A spare wheel;
• Alternative bulbs for lighthouses;
• A reflective jacket;
• Two emergency triangles;
• An extinguisher.

Rules of conduct

This road trip being in France, the rules of conduct will remain the same as in your daily life. However, here is a reminder of three fundamental rules:

• The belt is mandatory both in front and back;
• The maximum speed limit is 130 km/h on the highway, 90 or 80 km/h on the departmental roads and 50 km/h in agglomeration;
• The maximum alcohol level limit is 0.5 g/l. (this rate is 0.2 g/l for young drivers).

Motorways: information & rates

During the first stages of the road trip will be beneficial to your budget. Indeed, Brittany does not have a highway. So all your trips to the region will be free. You will mainly take national roads “2×2 tracks”, limited to 110 km/h.

Once exited from Brittany, the highway will make its appearance and this until the Basque Country. You will use highways A83, A87, A837 and A63.