2 Days Brittany Itinerary: Top Things to Do

Today, I’m giving you 15 ideas for spending the weekend in Brittany if you don’t know where to go. The region is full of pretty towns and whether you are looking for a thalassotherapy weekend in Brittany, a seaside break to relax, a cocooning weekend or a cheap weekend, you can find what you are looking for in a magnificent setting.

Brittany has magnificent landscapes but also inimitable gastronomy (apart from pancakes, galettes and kouign-amann, you can taste seafood freshly brought in by trawlers, good andouille sausages from Guémené, butter salty and the equally salty caramel!)… without forgetting a certain talent for well-being!

There are many hotels with spas and thalassotherapy centers on site, I’ll give you some good addresses throughout the article to prepare for your future weekend in Brittany!

Here is the map of all the cities I will tell you about in this article!

1. A Weekend in Brittany in Carnac

Carnac is famous for its alignments of megaliths (dolmens, menhirs) which form the largest set of this type in the world: alignments of Ménec, Petit Ménec, Kermario, Kerlescan and Manio, the site is classified as historical monuments and you can make a beautiful 7 km walk there, the Circuit des Alignements.

These megaliths would have been placed here around 4500 years before our era, the justification of their presence remains mysterious and surrounded by legends.

History buffs will be served, with a visit to the Museum of Prehistory and several monuments to discover: Mané Kerionned dolmen, Saint-Michel tumulus… With a pretty little seafront, a vast sandy beach, Carnac is a pleasant town.

Its visit can easily be combined with that of Quiberon, 19 km to the south and, during a longer stay, with a visit to Belle-Île-en-Mer or the islands of Houat and Hoëdic nearby.

You can spend a cheap weekend in Brittany by turning to the 2-star hotel La Licorne. It is located a few minutes walk from the beach.

If you have a little more budget, look at the hotel Le Churchill (4 stars with heated swimming pool, hammam, sauna, 1 minute walk from the large beach of Carnac).

Carnac also has a Nuxe spa hotel, Le Diana, with a sea view, and a thalasso & spa hotel managed by Thalazur on the edge of the salt marshes. You are therefore spoiled for choice if you are looking for a thalassotherapy weekend in Brittany.

2. Visit Quiberon

Quiberon is, as I told you, south of Carnac… and the visit of the two cities can be combined over a long weekend. If you want to spend the weekend in Brittany without knowing where to go, this is the opportunity to discover a pretty area, without the risk of getting bored.

The coast is particularly beautiful near Quiberon and if you like photography, you will find your happiness by going to watch the waves crashing on the rocks of the tip of Percho or by taking the beautiful walk to the tip of Conguel, without forgetting to observe the Château Turpault, nicknamed the “Château de la Mer”.

It is a private residence, a superb mansion of 550 m² surrounded by a park of almost 5000 m², overlooking the ocean, which awakens inspiration and feeds the imagination.

There are few visits to be made in Quiberon itself, it is rather a city where you take the time to enjoy nature and breathe the good iodized air for a weekend by the sea in Brittany.

On the other hand, it is the perfect starting point for visiting other emblematic places in Brittany, whether Belle-Île-en-Mer or the islands of Houat and Hoëdic. Compagnie Océane takes you there and offers you passes combining several islands in order to save money.

The accommodation offer is, from my point of view, more qualitative in Carnac than in Quiberon itself… but you can find some nice hotels on site:

• The Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa, again with a view of the ocean, offers a complete thalassotherapy center with a well-being offer and a slimming offer… not to mention a beauty institute, a hairdresser/barber, several restaurants, everything to do pamper during a cocooning weekend in Brittany!
• The Europa hotel, which overlooks the ocean and offers a sauna, a hammam and an indoor heated swimming pool ideal for enjoying the pleasures of swimming whatever the season and the weather. You can also book massages here.
• The ibis Styles Quiberon Center hotel offers good value for money for small budgets: located a few minutes’ walk from the beach, it offers a Jacuzzi, a heated swimming pool and a sauna.

3. Discover Belle-Ile-en-Mer

Let’s continue to descend towards the south of Brittany, with Belle-Ile-en-Mer, aka “Belle-Île” for short! In addition to having been honored with a song by Laurent Voulzy, the island can boast of being the largest of the Ponant islands.

85 km² of splendid landscapes to contemplate the waves on Donnant beach or the ridges of the “Aiguilles de Port Coton” (sea rocks that inspired the painter Claude Monet), marvel at the color of the water which sometimes nothing to envy to more “exotic” destinations, stroll near the fishing port of Sauzon, visit the forts of the island (Vauban citadel, fort of Sarah Bernhardt), take a deep breath of fresh air between moorland and wild beaches, climb 52 meters high in the Grand Phare de Kervilahouen…

Belle-Ile will appeal to those looking for a weekend by the sea in Brittany to take the time to breathe, rest and recharge. Here, we are far from stress, we eat VERY well: from the tasty crepes and galettes of the Coton creperie or the restaurant Les Embruns to the refined gastronomic cuisine of Roz Avel and the Table de la Désirade or the good products of l’Abri Côtier, we have fun and at often very reasonable prices with regard to the quality offered.

And to complete the experience, Belle-Ile offers quality accommodation, especially if you are looking to spend a wellness weekend in Brittany:

• Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa – Facing the ocean, this is the reference thalassotherapy center in Belle-Ile-en-Mer, with heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, massages and treatments… A 4-star hotel which offers par elsewhere a meticulous restoration (gourmet restaurant, seafood buffet).
• Hotel Le Grand Large – Set in a dream setting between the lighthouse, the moor and the ocean with the Aiguilles de Port Coton, this 3-star hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and is a 5-minute walk from the Castel thalassotherapy center Clara.
• Hotel Corto Maltese – For a lower budget and quality hospitality, this hotel is worth a visit. It is located 5 minutes walk from the port of the Palace.
• Hôtel Atlantique – Also located on the Port du Palais, it often offers low-budget rooms.

4. A Weekend in Brittany in Rochefort-en-Terre

Rochefort-en-Terre is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Beyond the stone that characterizes it, it is a concentrate of architectural influences, where the Gothic rubs shoulders with the Renaissance style, where half-timbered houses mingle with 19th century buildings.

Rochefort-en-Terre can be visited quickly but you have other activities nearby if you want an “active” weekend. In particular, you can visit the Maison Yves Rocher located in La Gacilly, the village itself is very pretty and it is an opportunity to discover the history of the brand and to buy products at reduced prices ( more information here ).

There is also a prehistoric park in Malansac ( see here ), with “life-size” dinosaurs and scenes of prehistoric life, within a 25-hectare park. I did it when I was little and I really liked it. Since then, the park has aged, adults seem to have a more “critical” view of it, but it often appeals to young children so it can be an outing to do during a family weekend in Brittany!

In terms of accommodation, Rochefort-en-Terre is a very small town so you won’t find a big hotel there, it’s an opportunity to test accommodation in a bed and breakfast, authentic and pleasant. Take a look at Vingt Vieux Bourg and Lywel Park, a few minutes walk from the city center.

5. A weekend in Brittany in Dinard

Dinard is a really pleasant town for a cocooning or thalassotherapy weekend in Brittany! A sumptuous coastal path, beautiful villas overlooking the sandy beaches, good restaurants, a film festival (British Film Festival)… not to mention the proximity with Saint-Malo which allows you to organize a long weekend in Brittany without the risk of getting bored!

The city is rich in quality accommodation, here are some recommendations:

• The Royal Emeraude hotel – A 20-second walk from the beach, the hotel is decorated in a Belle Epoque style and has a magnificent glass roof. We are well received there, in a cozy environment while being in the heart of Dinard.
• The Altaïr Hotel – For tighter budgets, this 2-star hotel is simple but well located, it gives the impression of being in a “family home” and the welcome only reinforces this impression.
• Le Castelbrac – A few minutes walk from the beach, this 5-star hotel combines charm and discretion. There is a spa, you can eat there facing large windows that open onto the ocean and, in summer, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy your well-being weekend with complete peace of mind. in Brittany !
• The Grand Hôtel de Dinard – Impossible not to mention this institution! What’s more, this legendary hotel has recently been renovated. We appreciate the possibility of reaching the beach on foot in a few minutes, the sea views which make you forget everything, the offer of spa treatments, the indoor swimming pool, the sauna and the hammam which allow you to take time for yourself whatever either the season.

6. Explore Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac’h

In the north of Brittany, Perros-Guirec is a place for nature lovers. There are pretty beaches – Plage de Trestrignel, Plage de Trestraou – but also an exceptional coastal path, the Sentier des Douaniers. In winter, it is the spectacle of the ocean whose waves crash on the rocks; in summer or in good weather, the reflections of the water, the sunsets which magnify the decor.

Off Perros-Guirec is the Sept Îles Nature Reserve : it is known for its great ornithological richness, as the seven islands in question are home to around 27 species and more than 20,000 pairs, making it quite simply the largest coastal reserve of France. It can be reached through boat trips via Armor Navigation.

Via Armor Navigation, you can also treat yourself to a day trip to the island of Bréhat.

And a stone’s throw from Perros-Guirec (you can even walk there on a nice 4 km walk), is Ploumanac’h, a village attached to Perros-Guirec. There are beautiful beaches, including Anse Saint-Guirec, a beautiful port… and the pink granite coast reveals all its splendor, especially at Pointe Ar Skewell.

There are quality hotels on site:

• L’hôtel des Rochers – A 3-star hotel located on the Ploumanac’h side, which offers a sea view, excellent hospitality and good food, especially if you like seafood!
• Hôtel du Parc – Also located near Ploumanac’h, a stone’s throw from Saint-Guirec beach, it offers quality service and also has 3 stars.
• The Castel Beau Site spa hotel – For those looking for more upscale accommodation, this 4-star hotel is located opposite Saint-Guirec beach (Ploumanac’h side, therefore!) and offers a restaurant based on local products. products, a champagne bar, an outdoor Jacuzzi facing the ocean and the possibility of having a massage in your room.
• The Agapa hotel – This 5-star hotel located on the Perros-Guirec side itself has a magnificent swimming pool and a Nuxe spa with sauna, hammam and jacuzzi. Ideal for a romantic weekend or a cocooning weekend in Brittany!

7. Spend the weekend in Brittany in Vannes

I discovered Vannes on the occasion of a wedding, proof that Brittany knows how to seduce lovers;) It is a relatively large city (more than 50,000 inhabitants) where there is no risk of getting bored.

In Vannes itself, we take pleasure in browsing the historic center, where we find all the charm of a medieval town with its half-timbered houses. You can walk around the ramparts of the city and visit the French gardens which are installed there ( ideas for circuits are proposed here ), go for a stroll on the port, browse the promenade of the Garenne to enjoy a pretty view on Valves.

You can also eat very well there: La Tête en l’Air, L’Annex, Le temps d’une crêpe, there is no shortage of good addresses!

If you have the time and want a change of scenery, you can spend the day in Auray : it’s a small town of barely 15,000 inhabitants, with a pretty port. It is located 19 km west of Vannes and is full of charm.

Another nice excursion: take a boat to visit the islands of Houat and Hoëdic. The Vedettes du Golfe will take you there and discover these islands on foot, promising a good breath of fresh air!

On the accommodation side, here are some quality leads:

• The Escale Océania hotel – If you are looking for proximity to the center of Vannes, this 3-star hotel offers good value for money since it is literally a minute’s walk from the historic center.
• The Best Western Plus Vannes Center Ville hotel – This 4-star hotel combines attractive decoration, quality services and a good geographical location in relation to the city center (a 2-minute walk from the historic center). It also has a sauna and gym.
• The Originals City, Hôtel Manche-Océan – A 2-star hotel for small budgets who want to be well located (1 minute walk from the historic center) and sleep in peace!
• Best Western Plus Le Roof – This 3-star hotel has an original location; slightly out of the way from the port of Vannes (3.5km), it is located on the Conleau peninsula, a pretty strip of land with a beach, a pine forest and a natural swimming pool. The hotel therefore offers a peaceful setting, with a terrace overlooking the water.

8. Visit Roscoff in Brittany

Roscoff, like many cities that I have chosen in this article, is not a big city… but it is also what you come to look for when you don’t know where to go for a weekend in Brittany: places to breathe fresh air, to go for beautiful walks, to eat well, to relax.

And precisely, Roscoff is located in Finistère and offers everything you need for a change of scenery! You can stroll along the edge of the ocean, discover a splendid Exotic and Botanical Garden (my passion!), stroll along the “small port” and observe the commercial “grand port” with the ballet of boats leaving for the Ireland or to England.

Roscoff is also the opportunity to go to the island of Batz in 15 minutes ( more information here )… a godsend even if, like me, you suffer terribly from seasickness (in 15 minutes, we can survive ^^). It is a small paradise that can be visited easily on foot, especially when you like to walk.

Roscoff offers a thalassotherapy center but this is not where I would advise you to go for a thalassotherapy weekend in Brittany because the services are less qualitative than what can be found in other cities (Dinard, Quiberon, Saint-Malo, Pléneuf-Val-André with its Marine Spa or the Miramar La Cigale d’Arzon hotel are, in my opinion, above in terms of services and location).

As for accommodation, the offer is modest but there are good addresses :

• Hotel Aux Tamaris – For small budgets, this 3-star hotel is very well located, a few minutes walk from the port and many small restaurants!
• The Mercure Roscoff Bord De Mer hotel – This 4-star hotel allows you to do everything on foot, whether arriving from the train station, joining the ferry terminal or visiting the center of Roscoff! It is also very close to the city’s thalassotherapy centre.
• The Kersaliou residence – Intended for those who are transported, it is a little more out of the way but offers lodgings with access to the barbecue and the outdoor swimming pool. It is a good solution for those who come with their family to Brittany, because the residence’s holiday homes can accommodate up to 6 people.

9. A Weekend in Quimper

Quimper is located inland, northwest of Concarneau, in Finistère. The town is crossed by the charming Odet river. Its center offers a very beautiful cathedral, a quality Fine Arts museum and an Earthenware museum, a charming old town and green spaces that are worth a visit, like the Jardin de la Retraite.

A little more out of the way, the Stangala gorges will appeal to walkers: a wooded place, surrounded by nature, where the river is sometimes very turbulent – ​​especially in winter…

If you have a vehicle, you can easily go and explore some pretty towns around… in particular Locronan : Locronan is one of the most beautiful villages in France and is only 15 km from Quimper.

Also 15 km away is Bénodet, a pretty seaside resort with beautiful beaches and beautiful walks.

Moreover, when it comes to accommodation, you have a choice.

• You can stay near Quimper – The Gingko hotel-spa is a reference with a massage offer on reservation, a hammam, a sauna and a Jacuzzi. If you are looking for a hotel at a reasonable budget while remaining close to the city center, take a look at the Escale Océania Quimper Center hotel which is a few minutes walk from the heart of the city.
• You can also stay in Bénodet – In all seasons, the Citotel Le Cornouaille offers an indoor swimming pool and a sauna and allows you to reach the beaches on foot. Also look at the Villa Ti An Amiral, especially in summer: it is a very beautiful 4-star hotel residence, a few minutes walk from the port and the beach with a large heated swimming pool, a spa and independent apartments.

10. Discover Lorient over a Weekend

Lorient is a city turned towards the sea… and it shows in the places of interest that you can visit for a weekend! Port city of Morbihan, it is at the mouth of the Blavet, the Scorff and the Ter and has several ports as well as a submarine base. This base of Keroman is also one of the fascinating visits to be made on site.

You can also discover the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly, which tells the story of sailing in a fun way: the place offers a simulator to project yourself into piloting a trimaran, there is a host of workshops for children to familiarize themselves with the world of sailing. There is also a small museum in Lorient, the Davis Tower, installed in what was once a training ground for shipwreck submariners.

Near Lorient, you can take the boat to go on an excursion to the island of Groix, the Compagnie Océane  will take you there in 45 minutes, the time to cross the harbor of Lorient then to cover the few kilometers towards the open sea which lead to Groix.

The island is known for its mineralogical heritage, minerals that give magical colors to the landscape (such as the “Plage des Sables Rouges”). It is also known for its coffee, which we happily share with the locals: they owe it their nickname of “greks” (coffee pots in Breton).

Going around the Ile de Groix is ​​30 km, with its 8 km long and 4 km wide, it can be explored largely on foot.

To stay in Lorient, you can take a look at these few addresses:

• The Originals City Les Océanes hotel – Not far from the Cité de la Voile and the submarine base, this 2-star hotel offers decent services and good value for money.
• Mercure Lorient Center – Near the Jules Ferry park, close to the departure point for Compagnie Océane boats, this 4-star hotel is a good choice, especially if you plan to visit the island of Groix.
• Hotel Victor Hugo – Also very close to the Compagnie Océane boats, this 2-star hotel is well placed for the city center and allows you to get around easily.

11. Visit Cancale in Brittany

Cancale is famous for its oysters, of course, and the oyster market won’t disappoint if you’re a fan! But Cancale also offers splendid walks : follow the Douaniers trail, go to the Pointe de Grouin or the Pointe de la Chaîne, admire the oyster beds…

It is an ideal destination for a weekend by the sea in Brittany under the sign of oxygenation and iodized air!

In terms of accommodation, I recommend the  Manoir Des Douets Fleuris, a very beautiful building with swimming pool that exudes authenticity. It is slightly out of the way (5 km from the Pointe du Grouin). A stone’s throw away, you also have the Le Chatellier hotel, a 2-star hotel with swimming pool which offers very good value for money.

If you’re looking to get closer to the seaside, look to Hotel Le Querrien, a 3-star hotel facing the ocean, or Hotel La Maison de Lucile, which has a spa and swimming pool.

12. A Weekend in Brittany in Saint-Malo

There would be a lot to say about Saint-Malo, a city where you can easily return several times without having the feeling of having visited it.

Saint-Malo has ramparts that are pleasant to walk around, beautiful beaches to take a breath of fresh air (Bon-Secours beach with its seawater swimming pool, Sillon beach), the fort of the city of Aleth which can be visited and was part of the system of fortifications of Saint-Malo…

At low tide, you can also access the tiny island of Grand Bé where Chateaubriand is buried. A weekend in Brittany in Saint-Malo is also an opportunity to approach the countless fortifications and architectural curiosities of the city – such as the Fort du Petit Bé – or to discover the history of Saint-Malo through the Residence of Corsair.

If you have already explored the city’s must-sees, you can also easily get out! In summer, there is a “sea bus” which allows you to easily reach Dinard, which I have already mentioned in the article.

Then, you can take the boat to discover Cézembre Island  or the Chausey Islands. Enough to broaden your horizons, whether for swimming, hiking and photos.

And if you want to continue your stay, boats also leave for England!

Saint-Malo is very rich in quality hotels, you are spoiled for choice and I advise you to take a look at Booking.com with this selection of hotels highly rated by travellers.

In terms of favorites, I can mention the Le Nouveau Monde hotel, a 4-star hotel facing the sea with a spa and indoor swimming pool, perfect for a well-being weekend in Brittany.

13. Discover Concarneau and Pont-Aven

Pont-Aven, in Finistère, is famous for its butter galettes, which even inspired a film by Joël Séria. On site, you can also visit the Pont-Aven biscuit factory.

The historic center of the city is charming with its port and its Musée de Pont-Aven, a small painting museum which tells the story of the school of Pont-Aven, the name given to a group of painters who came to draw inspiration in local landscapes, like Gauguin and Sérusier. You can also take advantage of the visit to stroll through the Bois d’Amour or take a trip on the Aven river.

In Pont-Aven, there are some very nice accommodations, I would tend to advise you to stay there if you have a car: as it is a very small town, fans of busy weekends will surely feel the need to expand their horizons!

And just a stone’s throw away (or more exactly 16 km) is the town of Concarneau, on the edge of the ocean. You can therefore find beaches there but also a very nice fishing museum: on 1500 m2, you can discover the different fishing techniques as well as shipbuilding and fish conservation. Part of the museum is on land, the other in a trawler.

Concarneau is also a fortified city built on an islet in the 15th and 16th centuries: the current town of Concarneau has gradually developed around this initial islet.

For accommodation in Concarneau, there are a few simple but well placed hotels in relation to the historic center and of good quality: The Brit Hotel des Halles (3 stars) or the Hotel du Port (2 stars) for example.

But to find my favorites in terms of accommodation, it is better to go a little further from the historic center in the direction of the Plage des Sables Blancs (a 20-minute walk from the walled city). There you will find two very nice hotels.

• Hotel Les Sables Blancs (4 stars) – It is located at the foot of the beach and the rooms have a balcony with a sea view, perfect for recharging your batteries and admiring the sunrise or sunset.
• The Kermor hotel (3 stars) – A welcoming accommodation, most of whose furniture comes from old freighters.

It is also in this corner of the city that the Concarneau thalasso is located , if you fancy a well-being weekend in Brittany!

14. Explore Douarnenez

We stay in Finistère with Douarnenez, which is located by the sea halfway between Quimper and the Crozon peninsula. If you have a vehicle, you can easily go for a jump in the Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique.

And without a car, you can visit Douarnenez, its port and its natural site, the Plomarc’h. A pretty walk to do by the sea, Gallo-Roman remains to observe, and 20 hectares of natural spaces with small gardens, an educational farm (perfect for families with children!), the large wash house of Plomarc’h …

I also warmly recommend a visit to the Port-Museum of Douarnenez. It presents a fine collection of boats and 5 of them can be visited.

If you have the soul of an explorer (at least vaguely!), I advise you to discover Tristan Island, so close to the coast that you can walk there when the tide allows it. The tourist office offers plenty of tour packages, on foot or by boat.

For accommodation, take a look at  Valdys La Baie : it has thalassotherapy facilities (heated seawater pool, spa area, hammam, whirlpool baths, etc.) and is located opposite the sea, very close to the Tristan Island.

15. Weekend in Brittany in Dinan

To visit Dinan for a weekend in Brittany is to succumb to the incredible beauty of this town, located inland to the south of Saint-Malo. I admit it, I am weak in front of medieval towns… and Dinan, they are magnificent ramparts, a castle (we had to defend the place, located at a strategic point to travel between Normandy and Brittany), half-timbered houses wood, a Saint-Sauveur basilica not to be missed…

If you have a car available, you can easily reach Dinard and Saint-Malo in half an hour, but also visit the Château de la Hunaudaye, a medieval castle which offers a very modern tour (with tablets), enough to win the favors of the youngest 😉

To enjoy all the charms of Dinan, you can stay at La Maison Pavie, an 11th century half-timbered house, or at  La Villa Côté Cour & Côté Spa which offers rooms with balneotherapy baths to enjoy moments of well-being. .

If you prefer hotels to bed and breakfast, there is a very good Mercure hotel (Port Le Jerzual) in Dinan.

Here we come to the end of this list of ideas (perfectly subjective)! I hope it will inspire you to go spend a weekend in Brittany or to prepare a road trip in the region.