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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Brittany with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Brittany with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN THE BRITTANY
DISCOVER THE FRENCH PENINSULA OF LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS
Deeply rooted in both the land and the sea, Brittany offers many possibilities for an unforgettable sailing trip with its rugged coastline, beautiful medieval towns and magical islands dotted along its waterways and canals.
This adorable North West region of France is bordered by the English Channel to the north, the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Bay of Biscay to the south. Brittany comprises of four departments: Finistère, Morbihan, Côtes-d'Armor , and Ille-et-Vilaine. The north coast includes harbors and secret coves; the south coast has stretches of sandy beaches, and extensive estuaries and the west coast is all rocks and striking cliffs. The inland areas of Brittany are made up of lakes, moors, woodlands, and fields.
The entire region has a wonderfully undiscovered feel once you go beyond world-famous sights such as stunning St-Malo, regal Dinard, and charming Dinan. Unexpected Breton gems – including the little-known towns of Roscoff, Quimper and Vannes, the megaliths of Carnac, the rugged coastlines of Finistère, the Presqu'Île de Crozon and the Morbihan Coast – all demonstrate that there's far more to Brittany than delicious crêpes and homemade cider. Brittany's much-loved islands are also big draws – don't miss its two stars: dramatic Île d'Ouessant and the aptly named Belle Île.
North Brittanys ports are, pretty much without exception, attractive and a pleasure to walk, eat, drink and provision in Lézardrieux, Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Ploumanac’h, L'Abervrac'h, to name but a very few of the many gems. Intimately connected to the sea, Bretons play host annually to some incredible maritime festivals to which visiting boats are always made very welcome.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT BRITTANY
Normandy travelers vary and depending on which type you are, you may prefer a different trip here on your yacht charter than your friends. Beach lovers will want to visit in the summer, but of course this is the peak season brimming with tourists and high prices. If you’d prefer less crowds and lower prices, you’ll want to visit during winter.
From March through May, the highest average temperatures range from the 50s to low 60s, so you’ll need to pack accordingly. From June through August, temperatures are on average around 70 degrees. In September, highs reach the upper 60s so it’s a good time if you want a pleasant temperature with less crowds, however the most rainfall occurs during this time so be prepared with your umbrella even in October and November. To score your best hotel deals, come in December or January, but don’t expect tropical temperatures!
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: MAY TO SEPTEMBER
TIME ZONE: GMT +02:00
LANGUAGE: FRENCH AND BRETON
CURRENCY: THE EURO
REASONS TO VISIT
CELTIC CULTURE
CARNAC STONES
CASTLES
CHARMING PORT CITIES
CIDER ROUTES
CRÊPES
MYTHICAL SITES
QUAINT VILLAGES
SEAFOOD PLATTERS
GETTING TO BRITTANY
Flying in to catch your yacht charter is a good way to get here. The convenient airports in Brittany all host flights that comes from the UK and Ireland, mostly for a low price. What’s nice here is that you can create your own itinerary and explore at your leisure thanks to the unique departure points of the airports. From the UK, you can fly on British Airways, Flybe, Air France, Ryanair, and easyJet. Another option is to fly to Paris and then catch the train to Brittany.
From other places in Europe, you can use Air France, Iberia, Aer Lingus, easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling. In the USA, you’ll want to fly to Paris to catch the train or choose a domestic flight via Air France or easyJet.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
If you choose to take the train, take the Eurostar from London to Paris and then hop onto the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to make it to Rennes. It’s 4 hours for Brest or Quimper. Or you can choose direct routes that get you to Brittany without moving through the capital.
Have car, will travel! Brittany is in the far west of France and is easy to access from the Channel ports as well as other locales in France. The two main motorway routes that are available to you head toward Brittany. Once you get to the region, the network of carriageways is free to travel on for a smooth driving experience.
Because it’s surrounded by the sea on 3 sides, choosing the ferry is a good option from the UK and Ireland. You can come with a car, caravan, motorhome, or simply come as you are. You can access it at St. Malo or Roscoff. Ferries abound to Saint-Malo from Poole or Weymouth thanks to Condor Ferries. From Portsmouth, you can use Brittany Ferries. It’s easy to get to Brittany using the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry from southwest England. From Ireland, you can use Brittany Ferries to sail from Cork to Roscoff. You can choose Irish Ferries to sail from Rosslare to Roscoff too. Or you can get on your yacht charter and sail anywhere you wish!
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN WESTERN EUROPE AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC
AZORES
BALTIC
BAY OF BISCAY
BERMUDA
BRITTANY
CANADA
CANARY ISLANDS
COWES
FAROE ISLANDS
HOLLAND
IRELAND
MADEIRA
NORWAY
SCOTLAND
SWEDEN
WALES
WHERE TO STAY IN BRITTANY
The range of accommodation available varies according to the Preference. The main types of accommodation on offer includes: Chambre d’hôte (is the equivalent of the English Bed and Breakfast.),Hotels, Auberge, Gîte, Camping, Vacation Rentals, Villages resorts and tourist homes.
WINING AND DINING IN BRITTANY
This traditional region has its own culinary delights. Of course shellfish is among them though the French refer to them as “fruits de mer” which means “fruits of the sea.” The most popular offerings are mussels, scallops, winkles, and oysters. While they do make wine in Brittany, there is more of a concentration on crops and not the grapes themselves. There is some wonderful cider that comes from these parts though which is worth trying. Here are other things worth a taste!
Moules Marinières
This dish of mussels steamed in white wine and served with crispy fries is a simple yet completely satisfying meal.
Kouign Amann
Pronounced as “QUEEN-ah-mahn,” this is basically a croissant that is dusted with sugar and salt just prior to baking so that the crust becomes caramelized. It indulges both your sweet and savory cravings.
Chouchen
This form of mead is made from fermented buckwheat honey water. It’s 14% alcohol by volume and has a strong color and distinctive flavor.
Kig ha farz
Who could say no to simmered meats? This traditional Brittany dish is also enjoyed around Léon in the region situated west from Morlaix to Brest. It’s very similar to a pot-au-feu, which was once considered a dish for peasants but is today enjoyed by everyone.
Far Breton
This rich and dense custard is a classic French dessert, speckled with dried fruit that was previously soaked in alcohol like Armagnac, brandy, or rum.
Cotriade
This stew is a medley of fish with potatoes. It’s similar to bouillabaisse, but the difference here is cotriade contains seafood. They usually serve it by pouring it on top of a toasted baguette.
Coquilles Saint-Jacques
Utilizing one of the many fruits of the sea, this famed French dish features fresh scallops cooked in shell with cheese, potatoes, mushrooms, shallots, and white wine, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. It’s soothing and comforting, particularly on those cold days.
Palourdes
Baked clams are stuffed with herbs, garlic, and shallots and cooked in white wine. It’s such a simple preparation that allows for the divine freshness of Brittany clams to shine through.
Breton Cotriade
A robust stew of fish makes for the perfect meal on a chilly day. Monkfish or mackerel are most commonly used along with onions, parsley, garlic, potatoes and more white wine.
Pot au Feu de Homard
A truly epicurean delight, this favorite of Breton uses lobster hailing from Roscoff along with oysters, mussels, shrimp, and scallops for a purely divine dining experience.
Agneau (Lamb)
In addition to the many seafood dishes, Brittany also has a reputation for excellent lamb, which is raised on the salt water fields in the region. It is usually served with some of the abundant vegetables grown in the region and, because you are in France, some kind of delightful sauce.
Crêpes and Galettes
Crêpes have become a popular treat all over France, but the flat pancake actually originated in Brittany. The galette, a buckwheat version of the crepe, is usually served with savory fillings like ham, cheese and egg, as the main course. Sweet crêpes are filled with chocolate, fruit or sugar and eaten as dessert or a snack. Wash these down with a cup of Breton cider and you’ll be a happy camper.
Moules-Frites
You will find this dish all over France, but with the freshest mussels found in Brittany, this is an excellent place to enjoy this dish. Recipes vary in each restaurant, but mussels are usually steamed in a shallot, parsley and white wine sauce and served with a pile of crispy little French fries. It’s like the Breton version of fish and chips – with its own dipping sauce!
