North Brittany - best places

[Vid]

I'm off to southern Brittany for a cycling holiday at the end of August (HWMBO wanting a change from the usual yacht charter) but will have time to explore a little of the northern coast too. Although, sadly, we won't be going by boat, which are the best places for that lovely french boaty atmosphere and character so we can play at being a landlubber for a change? I'm thinking of Aber-Wrac'h and Ploumanac'h but am open to suggestions (good seafood a must).

 

[jhr]

Never been to L'Aberwrac'h but Ploumanac'h is very nice.

I'm very fond of Locquirec, and SWMBO and I have had a couple of nice fishy meals at the Hotel du Port. Tregastel and Port Blanc have nice beaches, though PB in particular, is a bit resorty (but looks like a very nice anchorage).

Incidentally, if you're going to be in Southern Brittany, try to get to Chez Jacky at Port Belon (western side of the river - the village is both sides). One of the best fish restaurants I've ever been to. Take out a second mortgage before you go, mind.

 

[dulcibella]

Roscoff is a very interesting and attractive town with lots of good food. Morlaix and Treguier are elegant with plenty of good food on offer. Pontrieux is charming though restaurants are not up to much. L'Aberwrac'h is pleasant in a low-key way; the best place to eat (also pretty cheap) is an unpretentious place at the seaward end of the waterfront called Le Capitaine (or perhaps Captain). Brilliant moules frites, crepes etc but if you go for lunch be there when the doors open at 1200 - it soon fills up with hungry French families.

 

[Ocean Hound]

Yes - do L'Aberwrach. The moules are brilliant, It is a pretty wild sort of place and virtually untouched. The guy who runs Le Capitaine also has a small hotel just round the corner overlooking the sea. Also there is a good restaurant downriver, forget the name but it overlooks a quiet anchorage pool. Camaret also v. pretty. You may be able to get a vedette from Brest, otherwise ii is quite a ride around the bay.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Check my website. Select the 'sailing' tab, then click on 'S Channel' on the chart and you'll be in the area describing the yottie stops of Brittany. Extract below: [ QUOTE ]
1. St Malo old town, a massive stone fortress, rebuilt in its original style after serious war damage. Eating here is good, if more expensive than the average. Top of the range is 'Duchesse Anne', just inside the Porte St Vincent on the left. Book: 02.99.40.85.33, and be prepared to pay over €40 a head. Keep wandering left under the wall, and with luck you may find the piratical 'Bourgnefesse' (10 Rue du Puits aux Braies) where informality reigns, with cheaper prices, a standard French cuisine, and a very entertaining host. Is he still there?

2. Dinan, 10km inland of St Malo, up the Rance. Beautiful old half timbered streets are a favourite filming location for mediaeval costume dramas. Many good restaurants.

3. Tréguier is a smaller town with a lovely cathedral square. Look out for the excellent fish restaurant in Rue Ernest Renan - 'La Poissonerie de Trégor'. It's just above the fish shop - very good value.

4. Morlaix has a long approach past many islets and through a tidal channel. You'll possibly touch mud on the way up, so use a rising tide. Lock in to the harbour/marina in the heart of the town, dominated by a high viaduct. I remember 'La Marie Bleue' for its fine seafood, but wine erased all detail - also, sadly, detail of the other spots we tried while waiting for the new crew. There was a Brasserie serving Leffe Blonde on draft somewhere too . . .


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