Camping in Brittany: fuss-free family holidays in France

The French know better than anyone how to camp in style, and increasingly many campsites are well-geared towards ‘glamping’: the upmarket alternative to traditional camping. Brittany is a particular popular camping destination amongst British families because of its proximity to the UK, its fantastic camping facilities, and the wide range of things to do when you get there.

Brittany’s tourist attractions

The unspoilt coastline tops the list of attractions, with many of the most popular beaches and resorts located on the south coast of the peninsula, including La Baule, Belle Île and the Gulf of Morbihan. On the wilder north coast you can escape the crowds, and the photogenic pink-tinted Côte de Granit Rose is one of Europe’s most unusual coastlines.

Brittany also has many interesting sights, from the mysterious megalithic standing stones scattered across the peninsula to old fortified towns such as Saint-Malo (Sant-Maloù), which has one of the highest concentrations of seafood restaurants in Europe.

Travelling to Brittany

Traditionally UK families have driven to the south coast ports and taken their own cars accross the English Channel on the many ferry services that operate cross channel. With the continued rising prices of fuel and some would say excessive farescharged by ferry companies during school holidays more and more people are seeking alternative economical ways to get to Britanny and booking car hire france in advance

Since the opening of the Channel tunnel travellers can get a train direct from London to Lille and change to continue onto Brittany – choosing stations with convenient location de voiture offices throughout Bretagne which has opened up the region for families to explore.

Another option for those who have access to regional airports is to take flights to Paris and either take the TGV train which runs almost hourly from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes, Brest and Quimper.  More recently these French regions now have scheduled flights to London and other regional airports which we hope will be a follow up article

Brittany’s campsites

Brittany’s well-equipped campgrounds are another good reason to holiday there. With many providing pre-erected tents, separate bedrooms and other extras such as decent camping stoves, families can enjoy a fuss-free holiday abroad under canvas without carting their own equipment across the Channel. You even get to sleep in your own bed at night, so you wake up feeling refreshed rather than with a crick in your neck after a night on a lumpy rollmat.

Many camp grounds also have all the facilities you’d expect from an apartment complex or a hotel, such as hot showers (albeit a short walk away from your tent), indoor and outdoor swimming pools, on-site restaurants and bars, and even kids’ clubs.

And if you like the idea of staying on a camp site, but you’re keen to avoid the inconvenience of midnight trips to the toilet block, you could go for the slightly more expensive option of a chalet or mobile home, instead of sleeping under canvas.

You can find great campsites for a spot of ‘glamping’ all over Brittany, but here’s a few to get you started:

Le Ty Nadan (Route D Arzano, Locunole, Brittany, 29310)

Nestled in quiet, wooded Breton countryside, Ty Nadan has fantastic facilities for active families including three outdoor pools, an indoor pool and spa, an impressive waterslide and waterchute, indoor badminton courts, and a rock climbing wall. Despite all this, reviews suggest it’s still a relaxing setting, with direct access to the sandy banks of the River Elle. The surrounding area is known for its year-round festivals, too, including Fête de la Morue in May in the pretty port of Binic, celebrating the local fishing industry.

Domaine Le Bohat (Sarzeau, Brittany, 56370)

Surrounded by an old Breton farm, this award-winning campsite offers pre-erected tents and plenty of on-site facilities. There are outdoor and indoor swimming pools with slides, and there’s a restaurant, games room, bar, shop and kids’ playground, plus internet access and horse riding.

Le Cap Horn (Port Lazo, Plouezec, Brittany, 22470)

For a lower-key option, this campsite deserves a mention – mainly for its great location with direct access to the sea and lovely ocean views. There’s a seasonal heated pool, a bakery, a grocery shop, a children’s play area, an evening snack bar, and French bowls. The site lies within the picturesque Côtes-d’Armor region, with a gorgeous coastline, lovely walks, and great bike rides.

Brittany – Camping in pre-erected tents

Visit ukcampsite.co.uk for a list of campsites in Brittany, and look on each individual campsite page for the icon highlighting those offering ‘pre-erected tents’.

Car Rental in France – Holiday Ideas

The Mimosa Trail

For the perfect holiday using car hire in France, take the Mimosa Trail from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse. The tour will enable you to see some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and learn about France’s famous perfume industry.

What is the Mimosa Trail?

The Mimosa Trail is an 80-mile route in the South of France which takes you through picturesque countryside where mimosa trees flourish.

The mimosa tree is a species of acacia which was imported to France by Captain James Cook during the eighteenth century, and the sweet-smelling, yellow blossoms soon became used by the region’s perfumers. The best time of year to see the mimosa trees in bloom is between January and March, although some varieties bloom several times a year.

Start of Mimosa Trail – Bormes-Les-Mimosa

The coastal village of Bormes-Les-Mimosa marks the start of the Mimosa Trail.  Park your hire car and stroll through the old part of the village to see its architecture and floral displays.

Highlights include the 16th century Saint Françoise de Paule Chapel, the 13th century castle ruins, the marina and the Fort of Brégancon, which became an Official Residence of the French Presidents in 1968. You can also visit the Parc Gonzalez, which has outstanding displays of Australian plants.

The Mimosa Trail – Le Rayol-Canadel

It will take you about 15 minutes to drive from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Le Rayol-Canadel in your car. Simply follow the D559 coastal road east to get there.

Don’t miss the Domaine du Rayol botanical gardens, just outside of the village, or the monumental Pateck Staircase, which leads from the sea to the Pateck Pagola in the town centre. You can also see the Massif des Maures mountains from the town.

The Mimosa Trail – Sainte Maxime

Sainte Maxime is a picturesque town with a number of attractions, including four beaches. Visit the town’s history museum, La Musee de la Tour Carree, which is located within the 16th century Tour Carree, or take a tour of The Gramophone and Mechanical Instruments Museum. Take a break from your hire car with a stroll along the promenade, or visit the nearby Parques Botanique des Myrtes (botanical gardens).

St. Raphaël

Sainte Raphaël is a pretty town with more than 30 beaches and five harbours. Highlights include the Prehistoric Underwater and Archaeological Museum and the 12th century church. There are also some great coastal paths nearby if you fancy a break from your hire car. It will take you about 35 minutes to get to Sainte Raphaël from Sainte Maxime in your rental car.

Mandelieu la Napoule

It will take you about 30 minutes to get to the seaside village of Mandelieu la Napoule from St. Raphael in your hire car. The main attraction is La Napoule Castle, but you’ll also find some excellent beaches, a golf course and good hiking trails.

Mimosa Trail – Tanneron

Tanneron is about 15 minutes’ drive from Mandelieu la Napoule and is situated in the Tanneron Massif, the largest mimosa forest in France. If you are staying here for a day or two, or you aren’t the one driving, make sure that you sample one of the mimosa cocktails available at one of the village’s bars.

Pégomas

The penultimate stop on the Mimosa Trail is the village of Pégomas. It will take you about 15 minutes to get there in your hire car. You can take a break from driving and explore this charming village.

End of the Mimosa Trail – Grasse

The Mimosa Trail ends in Grasse, the perfume-capital of the world, where the mimosa blossoms are made into luxury fragrances. You can visit a number of perfume factories in the town, including Parfumerie Galimard and the Fragrond Perfumery. You can also take a self-guided tour of the town, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
Car Hire in France – Car Rental
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