Camping Brittany

Camping in Brittany means you'll be either by the sea or in the more hilly inland area, which is brimming with exciting city life, charming villages, delicious restaurants, entertainment, and authentic festivals.

Brittany is home to a vast number of megalithic monuments. The largest is the Carnac stones, which can be found near the south coast of Brittany, with the majority of them located within the Carnac commune. They are visible at Alignements de Kerlescan and Alignements de Carnac.

Brittany is also home to a large number of medieval structures. Numerous churches, castles, and half-timbered houses were typically built from sandstone and granite in villages, towns, and cities. Several Breton towns still have mediaeval walls.

To get a full taste of Brittany, you will need a lot of time, so pick a specific area and take your time enjoying everything it has to offer while also discovering hidden gems that Brittany has to offer in its nature and unexpected ancient landmarks.

Brittany is the far northwesternmost region, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. It is bounded to the north by the English Channel and to the south by the Bay of Biscay. The Breton coast is dotted with cliffs, rias, and capes. The Gulf of Morbihan is a vast natural harbour with forty islands that is almost completely enclosed by water. Around 800 islands are located off the coast of the mainland. Brittany has nearly 3,000 kilometres of coastline, which is roughly one-third of France's coastline. The area is hilly and is bounded by the Armorican Massif.

Coastal areas are called Armor or Arvor in Breton, meaning “by the sea” and inland is called Argoat, “by the forest”.

Brittany, which means "land of the Britons," is derived from the Latin word Brittania, which was used by Romans to refer to Great Britain. Brittany is the traditional homeland of the Breton people, and it has been originally inhabited by five Celtic tribes, each with its own cultural identity. Brittany was divided into three kingdoms at the beginning of the mediaeval era: Domnonea, Cornouaille, and Brorec. During the 9th century, these realms merged into a single state. Brittany experienced an economic golden age from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Local seaports such as Brest and Saint-Brieuc grew rapidly as a result of successful trade with Spain, England, and the Netherlands. Although Brittany was legally reconstituted as the Region of Brittany in 1956, it maintained its cultural distinctness and began opening bilingual schools that taught both Breton and French.

When camping in Brittany, you can tour a variety of attractions. Everything from seaside salt air to the most spectacular cultural heritage can be found here. Depending on where you stay, here are some sights you might be interested in seeing.

1. There are numerous Small Towns with Character, but Josselin stands out with its majestic castle reflected in the Oust River. The castle is owned by one of Brittany's oldest families, the Rohans, and serves as a symbol for the town. Stroll through the magnificent gardens. The mediaeval streets are lined with outdoor restaurants and cafes, and the river provides a pleasant walk promenade.

2. Morbihan's megalithic sites have the world's highest concentration of this type of heritage. A 4 kilometre stretch of perfectly aligned stones was placed there sometime during the Neolithic period, and the mysterious origins of their function can be discovered at Maison des Mégalithes. There are also guided tours and for children, role-playing activities.

3. Rennes is famous for its university and vibrant culture, but it also has 15th-century half-timbered houses and narrow streets lined with lively cafes and terraces. Rennes attractions such as the Portes Mordelaises, the Duchesne tower, and the Saint-Yves chapel should not be overlooked.

4. At Pointe de Pen-Hir, you'll be on the edge of the world. Crozon peninsula is ideal for hikers due to the rugged walk over the cliffs with turquoise water below and the idyllic landscape surrounding it. The viewpoint is a popular spot for holiday photos.

5. Brest is a maritime city nestled in one of France's most beautiful bays. This seaside city incorporates Modernism, Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and other styles. Discover the sights by foot, bike, bus, tram, or cable car. The Albert Louppe bridge is only open to cyclists and pedestrians. The best views of the city could be observed while strolling through Quai Commandant-Malbert. The panoramic views can be discovered on the Plateau des Capucins.

6. Nantes is a former Brittany capital that is now the administrative centre of Pays-de-la-Loire. Begin with a visit to the impressive Château des Ducs de Bretagne before exploring the medieval old town.

Brittany does not make you feel like you're in France. The otherness comes from the indigenous cuisine, and you won't find local wines or cheeses, but instead, local dishes like kig ha farz - stew with buckwheat dumplings - and cotriade - a Breton bouillabaisse. There's also the galette, a crêpe's cousin. If you happen to be at Guémené-Sur-Scorff, they make andouille smoked pork sausage.

Restaurants like Louise de Bretagne in Le Conquet are well-known for their crêpes and galettes. Le Relais du Vieux Port, located in the same city as the former, is a harbour restaurant that serves an abundance of seafood. Le Koadenn in Saint-Brieuc serves open fire-cooked dishes as well as a variety of other tasty options such as galettes and fish. La Taverne de la Marine in Rennes is a superb fish and seafood restaurant with a fantastic nautical design. Chez La Mère 6 Sous in Vannes serves traditional Breton cuisine.

Port-Louis and Larmor-Plage are two of Brittany's most popular nightlife destinations. And did you know you can sample Breton beer? Throughout the region, various breweries offer pale, dark, or red Breton beer, always served at the proper temperature and in the proper glass. Traditional breweries can be found in Vannes, Quimper, Brest, and Carhaix.

1. Océanopolis in Brest. This one-of-a-kind ocean discovery centre in Europe features massive aquariums as well as a seal clinic. You can immerse yourself in the underwater world with your family and even pet some of the wildlife.

2. Climb aboard one of the 49 traditional sailing boats from Sept îles in the Gulf of Morbihan. Observe the seals, puffins, and gannets for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

3. Through the Monts d'Arrée range, you can ride, walk, or cycle. Mountains aren't something you'd expect to find in Brittany, but they have everything: stunning views, diverse vegetation, plenty of ascents and descents, and unspoiled nature. With an area of 8, 000 hectares, it is the largest in Brittany. There are over 250 kilometres of marked trails, as well as a true playground for mountain bikers. The highest point is 385 metres above sea level. It's also great for horseback riding.

4. The famous Mont Saint-Michel Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the location of Europe's largest tides. It is worth visiting to be amazed at how the landscape changes depending on the tide. Popular activities include walking or horseback riding across the flat and spectacular bay. If you enjoy bird watching, bring your binoculars and face to the île des Landes ornithological and botanical reserve. Do you enjoy sailing? You might see bottlenose dolphins swimming across the bay. Prefer to ride a bike? The Tour de Manche route in Europe connects Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo.

5. Explore the Brocéliande Forest. Among the century-old trees, it is the birthplace of King Arthur legends and the home of the Knights of the Round Table. Romance and adventure lurk among the trees of Brittany's largest forest, following in the footsteps of Lancelot, Arthur, and Guinevere (7,000 hectares). Aside from legends, the forest is rich in biodiversity. There are deer and roebucks there, as well as squirrels, hedgehogs, and a variety of birds. There are nearly 200 signposted trails ranging from easy to difficult routes designed for walkers but also accessible to bikers and horseback riders. The forest is also traversed by the long-distance footpath GR37.

The Marché des Lices, one of France's most beautiful indoor markets, is brimming with colours and flavours. Rennes is where you'll locate it. Fresh and handmade goods, fishmongers, and flowers can be found among the city's half-timbered houses and cafe terraces.

Dinard's Place des Halles is transformed into an open-air, high-end boutique three days a week. Everything from fish, vegetables, and fruit to candles and soap, decorative items, and designer second-hand goods can be found there.

Questembert's Monday markets have been designated as a historical landmark. There's even a horse-drawn shuttle that takes you to the market to give you the most authentic experience possible. As a result, irresistible.

Every year, 25,000 tonnes of fish are sold at the Merville market by the sea in Lorient, which is open daily from morning to afternoon.

Get up early on Saturday morning to visit Saint-Place Renan's du Vieux Marché. In the summer, there are nearly 300 stalls selling fresh produce as well as local gourmet goods.

The best shopping scenes are encountered in major metropolitan areas, which have large shopping malls, popular streets lined with numerous shops, antiques, and chic boutiques. Passage Pommeraye in Nantes, in particular, should not be missed. A marvellous glass-roofed shopping mall from the nineteenth century.

Rennes' picturesque historical centre is also dotted with reasonably priced shops.

Finally, when exploring a city, town, or village, keep an eye out for shops that may not be popular tourist destinations and therefore are noteworthy.

When parking in Brittany, it is important to be aware of Blue Zones. There are 'blue zones' (zone bleue) in many cities and towns, which are denoted by blue street markings. You can park there for free for one hour between 09.00 and 12.00, and again between 14.00 or 14.30 and 19.00. Mondays through Saturdays, with no time limit on Sundays, as well as government holidays Parking, is not restricted between the hours of 12 a.m. and 14 a.m., which means you can park for free from 11 a.m. to 14 a.m. or 12 a.m. to 14 a.m. 15.00: A parking disc (disque de contrôle/stationnement) must be displayed in your windscreen. These are available from garages and travel agencies for free or for a small fee at agencies, automobile clubs, tourist information centres, police stations, taverns and a few shops. Set your arrival time in the left box, and the time you should leave is shown in the right box; for example, if you set 10.00 in the left box, 11.00 is shown in the right box. You may be fined if you overstay your free time.

In Brittany, you can also find camping car parking lots and most places are open all year round.

1. Panoramas Festival

In Morlaix , springtime means the biggest contemporary music scene at the Panoramas Festival. It's a great way to kick off summer music festivals with a lineup of rock, rap, electro, and other genres. The concerts are taking place at the Parc de Langolvas, the Théâtre du Pays de Morlaix, clubs, and even a swimming pool.

2. Festival of Brittany

The most lively start to the summer festival by the sea, with 300 events showcasing Breton culture over the course of four days. Concerts, marshes, exhibitions, traditional dance, street entertainment, workshops, and markets are all on the agenda. And, of course, there will be a tasting of Breton cuisine. The festival's reach extends beyond Rennes and Brest.

3. Art in the Chapels

If you think cultural landmarks are uninteresting, you'll think again after attending this festival, where contemporary art meets religious art in thought-provoking exhibitions. Central Brittany is rich in culture, and at the end of the summer, the chapels of the Blavet valley attract visual artists.

4. Maritime Festival

The Douarnenez Maritime Festival takes place in Rosmeur harbour and invites traditional sailing ships to participate. You can practise sailor knots, watch sailing films, listen to live music and meet new people. The younger attendees can take their turn at climbing the rigging.

5. Festival du Film Britannique

Come in the autumn to find out who will take home the Golden Hitchcock Award at the British Film Festival. The Dinard festival is the autumn equivalent of the Cannes festival. Premieres, retrospectives, and tributes to both British and French films can be observed here.

Brittany has a wide range of seaside campsites. Camping with dogs is very common in Brittany, and you will almost certainly bring your four-legged companions. There are numerous campsites in Brittany that are either by the sea or by a lake, and there is always plenty of aquatic fun. There are many Brittany campsites with swimming pools that are open all year. Brittany has quite a vast number of 4- and 5-star campsites. Camping on a farm in Brittany is becoming increasingly popular, and it typically provides a more natural setting as well as activities for campers with children. If you want to camp on a farm or in a mobile home, or if you want to stay in a chalet or a bungalow, you will have a lot of options.

Camping in Brittany with a motorhome, caravan, or tent is very popular and comfortable. Even on the hottest days of your vacation, whether you're near the sea or further inland, you'll likely enjoy the breeze and shade of trees. Most campsites provide electricity and water connections on pitches or nearby, with sanitary facilities always nearby. If you are travelling with children or have limited mobility, campsites might very well accommodate you with pitches located on flat land and providing special sanitary facilities.

When camping in Brittany, you don't have to sacrifice comfort. Glamping home furnishings are available at many campsites, and the number is growing. Safari tents, lodging, and furnished tents are the most common types of rentals. Book a vacation rental that will provide you with a comfortable vacation while keeping you close to nature.

This is the place to go for luxury camping. It is possible to fulfil your childhood dream of camping near the castle. Holiday parks are typically outfitted with every amenity and facility imaginable. They cater to vacationers who want to stay within the area with their families or friends. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, pools for toddlers and children, sports and relaxation facilities, entertainment for young and old alike, as well as bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Holiday parks cater to all of your vacation needs.