Of wild coastlines, maritime charm, salted caramel delights, sailing tales, and standing stones
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Family holidays in Brittany mean immersing yourself in a region full of maritime charm, the wild Atlantic, and that special lightness of being that instantly draws you in. Endless paths wind through grasses and ferns along steep cliffs, leading to hidden coves and quiet beaches with crystal-clear water, where the ebb and flow of the tides constantly reshape the landscape. Children collect shells as seagulls circle overhead, and evenings end with the sun painting the sky in breathtaking colors. Add to that the old stone houses with blue shutters, small harbors filled with fishing boats that smell of salt and sea, and restaurants serving fresh fish, oysters, and cider. And of course, the family-run crêperies where galettes and salted caramel crêpes are a must, the perfect family meal that never fails to make everyone happy. That is Brittany at its purest.
For the second summer in a row, we have spent our family holiday in Brittany, and it feels like so much more than a typical beach vacation. It is adventure and indulgence in one. And it is exactly this combination that makes Brittany ideal for a family road trip. Each stop reveals a new side of the region: elegant seaside towns, peaceful villages full of charm, vibrant sailing hubs, and places where history and nature intertwine.
Dinard: Belle Époque villas, Emerald Coast charm, and family happiness by the Atlantic
Our road trip begins in Dinard in the département of Ille-et-Vilaine, just across the bay from Saint-Malo. The Belle Époque villas with their little towers line the Emerald Coast, the scent of buckwheat drifts from the crêperies, and the Promenade du Clair de Lune glows softly in the evening light. Famous painters like Picasso found inspiration in Dinard’s coastal scenery in the 1920s and his painting On the Beach, Dinard tells the story. The Sentier des Douaniers is especially magical when the tide is low and the coastal path between Plage de l’Écluse and Saint-Énogat opens up. You can walk right by the water, watch ships on the horizon, and marvel as the waves crash against the rocks.
A real highlight for families are Dinard’s seawater pools right on the beach, complete with diving platforms. Even when the tide is out or the wind gets chilly, the heated seawater pool across from Plage de l’Écluse quickly turns “just watching” into “let’s jump in.” The kids are in their element right away.
At Hôtel Le Saint-Michel we feel at home from the very first moment. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, and in the shared lounge there are games ready for everyone to enjoy between outings. In the morning a French breakfast with still-warm pain au chocolat awaits.
In the evening we head to Crêperie La Petite Longère on Place du Calvaire in Saint-Énogat. On the checkered tablecloths the typical cider cups are already waiting as we watch crêpes and galettes being prepared on the hot plate. We try everything from savory buckwheat galettes to sweet chocolate crêpes. The summer evenings on the terrace, when the lanterns begin to glow, are especially magical.
Excursions and experiences in Dinard
Mudflat walk with Fanny
One Brittany experience that instantly wins us over is the mudflat walk with Fanny, who has been reading the tides here like an open book for years. In boots, we walk across the seabed revealed at low tide, discovering crabs, shells, and tiny snail shells. For the children, it feels like a treasure hunt, while Fanny explains how to harvest shellfish properly and shares clever cooking tips from the locals. To finish, a small tasting awaits on the beach, as Fanny is an excellent cook with plenty of ideas for Breton cuisine.
Kayak adventure in Saint-Lunaire
In Saint-Lunaire, we pull the kayaks into the sea with the kids and start paddling: right, left, right, left. Be sure to check the tides beforehand and ask the locals at the rental shop about the direction of the current. Out on the water, the spray splashes against our faces and the kids burst out laughing when a wave lifts the boat. With a bit of luck, you might even spot dolphins passing between the rocks. The brave ones jump into the water. With a wetsuit it’s pure fun, without one it’s a real challenge, since the Emerald Coast stays cool even in summer.
Hiking the GR® 34
The next day we lace up our shoes and walk a stretch of the GR® 34, the historic Sentier des Douaniers. This coastal trail stretches nearly 2,000 kilometers around all of Brittany and shows, even here near Dinard, what makes it so special. Sometimes the paths run right along the cliffs, other times through ferns and meadows. On this section, every curve reveals a new postcard view. The evenings are the most beautiful: baguette under your arm, picnic blanket in the backpack, and a spot with a sea view to watch the sky perform its show as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.
Find our favorite stretches of the trail to explore with kids here.
Family holiday in Brittany: onward to the Côtes-d’Armor between tides and meadows
From the elegant Emerald Coast, we head west into the Côtes-d’Armor. Here, Brittany shows its most authentic side with wild coastlines, open fields, and small towns full of life. On the beaches, the kids quickly lose all sense of time as they collect shells, and there are plenty to find. By now, we feel completely at home in Brittany, proudly wearing the classic striped shirts you can spot in every little Breton boutique.
Our tips for the Côtes-d’Armor with kids
Plélo: Into the Prairie
In Plélo you’ll find Into the Prairie, a true Breton holiday dream. The most charming cottages stand here surrounded by greenery, with gardens, meadows, and a colorful vegetable patch. Behind the concept is Liz, who created this place with a keen sense of family life and a love for every little detail. Mornings begin with a relaxed breakfast while the kids play table tennis. Later we sit in the small garden sauna, listen to the crickets, and feel the salty air tingle on our skin once more. Everything here invites you to slow down and simply be.
Paimpol: market day and harbor life
Paimpol is a coastal town about 30 minutes from Into the Prairie. Tuesday is market day, and the whole town comes alive as locals shop for fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and regional delicacies. It’s France in its purest form—vibrant, flavorful, and full of life. Among the cheeses and oysters, we keep finding new things, like tiny crunchy mini cucumbers we’ve never seen before and immediately add to our basket for the evening salad.
A stop at the delicatessen Vivres l’épicerie is perfect for a coffee break and a small snack before continuing to the harbor. There, colorful boats line up side by side, seagulls circle above the masts, and the cafés invite you to linger a little longer.
If you’re up for more exploring, take the ferry to Île de Bréhat. The car-free island is best discovered by bike, passing flower fields, small chapels, and hidden coves.
Ploumanac’h with kids: discovering the Pink Granite Coast
A change of color awaits at the legendary Côte de Granit Rose near Ploumanac’h, one of France’s most spectacular coastlines. Over 300 million years old, the granite rocks here shimmer in shades from pale pink to deep red—a hue found nowhere else in Europe. The kids climb eagerly over the smooth, rounded boulders shaped by the Atlantic and feel like they’ve landed on a giant natural playground.
We follow the coastal path past surreal rock formations that sometimes look like animals, sometimes like characters straight out of a comic book. It quickly turns into a game, and hiking suddenly becomes effortless. Always in sight is the Ploumanac’h lighthouse. On warm days, a dip in the sea at Saint-Guirec Beach waits as the perfect reward.
Did you know?
· The stories of Asterix and Obelix were inspired by Brittany.
· Many place names start with “Plou…” – in Breton, it means “village.”
· It’s the home of crêpes, galettes, and sweet caramel au beurre salé.
· More than 52 lighthouses watch over its wild coastline.
· The popular Commissaire Dupin detective novels are set in Brittany.
Morbihan: family holidays in Brittany between sailing dreams and ancient legends
After the wild northern coasts, our journey continues south into the Morbihan, the sun-kissed heart of southern Brittany. The air feels warmer here, the light softer, and on some days almost Mediterranean. The Golfe du Morbihan is a small inland sea with more than forty islands, a labyrinth of water and land best explored by boat.
Water sports enthusiasts find their paradise here. Whether sailing, surfing, kitesurfing, or stand-up paddling, the conditions are ideal. For the kids, it’s an adventure to try a board for the first time or to catch crabs in the harbor while sailboats glide out to sea.
But Morbihan is more than sea and waves. Between long beaches and sheltered coves lie the legendary standing stones of Carnac, ancient ritual sites filled with myths, and traces of World War II that tell stories of a more recent yet equally defining past.
Lorient: the city of sailors
In Lorient, past and future meet face to face. Where one of Europe’s largest submarine bases once stood, the area now pulses with life as La Base, a vibrant hub of modern sailing. At the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly, sailing becomes an interactive adventure—hoisting sails, practicing knots, and steering virtually across the sea. Outside, the high-tech trimarans, the Formula 1 of the seas, rock gently at the pontoons, and by this point, everyone feels the pull to set sail themselves.
Right next door, history comes to life. During World War II, this was one of the most powerful submarine bunker complexes built by the German military. Today you can step aboard the submarine Flore-S645 and, walking through its narrow corridors, blinking control panels, and tiny bunks, get a sense of what life underwater must have felt like. The exhibition inside the bunker completes the picture of a city shaped by both destruction and renewal.
To round off the day, a dose of adrenaline awaits. The TyRoll zipline takes you 350 meters across the harbor, with views of boats, concrete walls, and the open sea.
Those who prefer to end the day on a relaxed note can book a table at Restaurant Gare aux Goûts, where creative cuisine meets an easygoing atmosphere, perfect after a day filled with sailing dreams and stories of the past.
Carnac: stones full of history
A few kilometers further, we find ourselves in a completely different world: Carnac with its more than 3,000 menhirs, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2025. Between the endless rows of stones, guides share the great mysteries that these massive blocks still hold. The children immediately imagine Asterix and Obelix with their magic potion and come up with their own theories. While we try to uncover the myths behind it all, one thing is certain: this landscape is mesmerizing, whether seen through the eyes of comic imagination or archaeological wonder.
Afterward, we head out into nature. With our bikes, we explore the surroundings, cycling along all three megalith sites, through narrow inland paths, and onward to the coast. The sea stays in sight and the wind rushes past our faces.
For lunch, Restaurant Le Kreiz awaits right on Saint-Colomban Beach. The mussels here are legendary, and it is not unusual to find locals who come just for them. Right outside, a family adventure begins: a treasure hunt via app that starts with a map from the tourist office. A little French is enough, the rest is pure playfulness. The route follows the coastline, past secluded coves and spectacular viewpoints, turning the walk into an unforgettable experience.
To finish the day, the flavor of Brittany takes center stage. At Les Huîtres de Fred we enjoy a plate of oysters, and even the kids give them a brave try.
We stay at Les Voiles, an accommodation that instantly wins over families. There is a pool for diving in, a swing in the middle of the room, and a kids’ hideaway under the roof. Add a central location and a touch of design, and you have a place where families love to kick back after a day full of adventures.
One thing is certain: this won’t be our last time in Brittany. There are still so many corners waiting to be explored, the tides transform the coastline in no time, and even when a storm rages outside, there are always cozy places to curl up and stay warm.
Late summer is an especially beautiful time to visit. The beaches are almost empty, the children build the biggest sandcastles, hunt for lugworms and razor clams, and let the salty breeze play with their hair.
On the way to your family holiday, it’s worth stopping at Mont-Saint-Michel. Officially still part of Normandy, it already feels like the gateway to Brittany and, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s an absolute must-see.
The easiest way to get there is by car, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Traveling with an electric car is no problem in France either. Whether you take the route via Strasbourg, Reims, or Épernay, the home of champagne, or head through Paris, this is where your road trip to the Atlantic truly begins.
This article was created in cooperation with the Tourism Association of Brittany.
