Looking for a nice coastal holiday town in Britanny?

Question

We want to stay in a small town - not too much traffic - with lots of creperies and pizzerias. Also a great beach for swimming, footpaths and cycleways. Somewhere on the coast near Vannes or Nantes. Doesn't matter if it's thronging in the summer, as we'll be going in September - renting a flat via the Internet.

We stayed in Sain Gilles Croix de Vie (Vendee - further south) a couple of years running and just want a change of scenery.

Thanks all.

Answer 1

It s a pity you want on the south coast !

I would have told you:

Saint Malo or Dinard (a few km close)

Answer 2

binic

Answer 3

Concarneau is a lovely place. Haven't been for a while but I just remember it being a really nice, traditional town on the coast.

Answer 4

near Vannes : la trinité sur mer !

Answer 5

Carnac and Quiberon are lovely places but are not really "small town".

Answer 6

You are spoiled for choice and I would put Concarneau near the top of your list with its walled  "Ville Close" which has dozens of restaurants and creperies. The Festival des Filets Bleues  (Festival of the Blue Nets) occurs during the last 2 weeks of August is a great event to be part of. Brittany is still quite a religious area and August 15th, the Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, has many village festivals and there is a fabulous folk festival on the top of Menez Hom (the highest point in the area) near Plomodiern.

The beaches I prefer are those at Benodet  which are sandy, clean and excellent for swimming and water sports.

If you want to be near Vannes, the little resorts around the Golfe de Morbihan are lovely with places like Auray, Ste Anne - de - Palud  and the neolithic stones at Carnac are within easy distance. I suggest you buy a copy of the Michelin Green Guide to Brittany from WHSmith's and use this as your information source. Wherever you decide to go in that part of france you are bound to enjoy your holiday!!

Answer 7

I concur that Concarneau is a beautiful town some great small beaches nearby and the little "Castle Town on an Island" is fantastic.  The people are very warm and friendly.  

In August they have the Fete de fillet bleu (excuse my spelling) and the whole town has a massive festival with eating, drinking, traditional costumes, and a huge stage for local musician concerts in the town square.  

Went there in 2006 and I'd go back tomorrow.  Actually I'd move there tomorrow. If I had the money!!