Brittany: 1 Week

Leave your car securely parked at our depot in Leeds or have it delivered locally for an extra fee. From Leeds, it’s a 4 hour drive down to Portsmouth, where you’ll spend your first night of the trip. 

Enjoy the sunset over the north sea, and get a good night’s sleep before taking the morning ferry over to France.

Quimper is the perfect base for your Brittany adventure. This area is filled with amazing places to discover, all of which are within easy reach of this quaint little town. Here are some of our suggestions to fill your five days in this stunning French county.

As the second French military port (after Toulon), Brest is a very important port city. Completely bombarded during World War II, most of the old town and port were destroyed. The new town is nowhere near as beautiful as it used to be, but it’s still fascinating from a military and historical point of view, so any fans of maritime and military history will love the city. The city is now home to a Naval Training Centre, a military arsenal and the National Marine Museum. For those less interested in the military, there are lots of other museums, amazing seafood and beaches to enjoy. 

Saint-Malo boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the Emerald Coast. The Grand Plage with its assortment of hotels and bars is the main beach in the area. From here, you can walk to the islands of Grand Be and Petit Be and explore some of the regions more rural beaches. Venture inside the ancient city walls and explore the charming markets and cafes of this seaside town. You’ll be spoilt for choice by the range of Breton delicacies on offer. Why not sample a galette, crepe or even an oyster if you’re feeling brave? 

From Saint-Malo, its just one hour to the Mont St Michel, where you can visit the famous island home to the Abbey of Mont-St Michel, once one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage destinations. Make sure you arrive during low-tide so you can walk across to the island and enjoy the stunning view. Once the tide is high, there’s no way of crossing except by boat. 

The Abbey of Mont St-Michel is a must see for any architecture or history enthusiasts, and will provide stunning photos as well. 

Take the ferry back to Portsmouth, where you will spend the night before driving back to Leeds. Take the opportunity to relax before heading back home – drink one last glass of wine, enjoy some British seafood, and admire the last sunset of your holiday.