Brittany is the perfect family desitination with a wealth of attractions for all ages. Our holiday houses are located in Finistere, not only is the scenery wild and natural, but the mystery and legends are that much stronger due in part to it’s remote location literally at ‘The end of the earth’. Some of the villages feel like the land that time forget and you can take a step back into the past, to old traditions and ways of life, that remain authentic and rich in history.
The endless coastline and variety of beaches is made for exploring whatever the weather. Clambering over rocks, paddling in the waves, make your own french chateau in the sand, search the rock pools for tiddlers and crabs. Older children can take advantage of the endless coastal sports on offer, dinghy sailing, sand yachting, surfing, kayak and stand up paddle to name but a few. Outdoor activities in the region are very well organised and lots of fun.
This area has an almost endless supply of places to visit and things to do. Lots of activities are free, or very reasonable priced. Brittany Tourism has created a website dedicated to family fun family.brittanytourism.com The website is well laid out and has sections for all ages. You can search by activity or maps and it will give you lots of ideas for your holiday.
See also our Things to Do in Brittany page, which has lots of activities for older children and teens.
Brittany’s rich history is steeped in legends and ancient relics. Standing stones dot the countryside, fairytale castles abound for small knights and princesses. Walk the ramparts of the Ville Close at Concarneau. The Ancient Abbey at Landevennec has a museum and is still inhabited by monks, and the gardens of the Abbaye de Daoulas are both open to visitors. The Chateau de Trevarez has different exhibitions throughout the year.
A trip up the River Odet is a very nice thing to do. It is justifiably claimed to be one of France’s most beautiful. There are various chateaux on route, which can only be seen from the river. The boats depart from Benodet.
There are also trips out to the Glenan Islands. This is only really recommended on sunny days. The islands are very pretty in the sunshine as they are white sandy sand banks with turquoise water. When you get there you can hire a kayak, or picnic on the beach.
The Ile de Sein, across the water from the Pointe du Raz, is accessible by regular boat from the beach at Ste Evette. The journey is about 1 hour and gives a good view of the coast and dolphins can often be spotted en route. Check times for the boats at the tourist office or the slip at St Evette.
The Port Musee in Douarnenez is a good maritime museum with live exhibits. Kids can clamber over fishing vessels and tug boats, and play at being a Breton fisherman for the day. After eating a delicious crepe, take a walk along the sentier de Plomarc’h, situated just above Port de Rosmeur (with the sea behind you walk to the left and hug the coast as much as you can). There is a lovely ‘town farm’ with pigs, donkeys, sometimes lambs, horses and chickens. The coastal path then takes you to some interesting ruins and small creeks.
The well preserved medieval town of Locronan dates back to the 10th century and has been the setting for many a film. The town is pedestrianized and has various gift shops and creperies and an interesting glass blowing shop.
The Aquashow in Audierne is a small and friendly aquarium which features a lot of the local sealife as well as a bird show and very hand for our houses Ty Traez and Ty Bili.
Oceanopolis at Brest is one of the regions best loved attractions and a good excursion for a rainy day. If you like aquariums this one is impressive and a favourite of our guests.
Inland Huelgoat – La Roche tremblant and Le Champignon. If you park in the town centre of Huelgoat beside the lake and the tourist office, just to the right of the small bridge with a weir there is a footpath into the amazing forest of Huelgoat with its outsized boulders and tortuous river. Maps of circular walks can be obtained from the tourist office or are well signposted. Look out for the café / librairie located in the woods at Berrien for a light lunch or snack. Tel. 0298 99 72 58 You can also visit the art gallery Ecole des filles which has exhibtions throughout the year.
The Parc Natural Regional du Armorique is Brittany’s regional national park and runs from the Ile d’Ouessant and Molene across the Crozon Peninsula to the Monts d’Arree. The Domaine de Menez Meur in Hanvec is a wildlife park dedicated mainly to wolves, but has other things to see such as black sheep from Ouessant and wild boar. There are various trails to choose from but there is a ‘parcour animalier’ or wildlife tour (3km) which is walkable even for little children, and an outdoor adventure playground.
There are a host of small museums dedicated to the rich local heritage of this area. Some of the best are The Maison des Vieux Metiers Vivants which is a living museum where you will see in action some of the age old crafts of the region. The Maison des Mineraux, at St Hernot only a few minutes drive from our house at Lostmarc’h. The Musee de l’Ecole Rurale in Tregarven brings alive what it would have been like at school over a century ago. In the area – Les Viviers de Terenez on the Road from Pont de Terenez to Le Faou, sells oysters, shellfish and trout – you can also eat ‘sur place’. The Ferme Apicole de Terenez, sells everything to do with bees – honey, pain d’epices, wax candles.
Phares de Penmarch – There are three of them at Penmarch, the most famous being that of Eckmuhl. Climb the 307 granite steps and admire the view. On the route stop in at Le Guilvinec to watch the return of the fishing boats at about 4.30pm. There is a large terrace where you can watch them off-load the catch of the day ready to be sold at Le Criee. There is a musuem La Haliotika which is dedicated to all that is ‘La Peche’.
Theme parks – our friend google should help you find out information on the following.
Parc d’attractions Odet Loisirs. Set in a lovely location of rolling park land about 15 minutes to the east of Quimper. This quirky theme park is lots of fun and refreshingly old school.
La Labyrinthe de Pont Aven et sa mini ferme.
Peninsula de la Labyrinthe, Crozon
Breizh Park – Crozon – treetop climbing, paint-ball, mini golf and horse and carriage rides
Parc de Loisirs Bel Air – Landudec – bouncy castles, waterslides, pedal boats and trampolines.
La Recre des 3 Cures – Milizac just north of Brest. This is a great day out if you are looking for some high adrenaline theme park rides.