Thinking about a trip to Brittany

[Greenman14]

An option for next year's short trip is Brittany but all I know of it is the nice little towns and beautiful coastline, which is fine but not enough: I need great roads as well. Ferry to St Malo would be first choice, any recommendations for a 4-5 day tour of Brittany?

 

[Joe narvey]

An option for next year's short trip is Brittany but all I know of it is the nice little towns and beautiful coastline, which is fine but not enough: I need great roads as well. Ferry to St Malo would be first choice, any recommendations for a 4-5 day tour of Brittany?

4-5 days is enough to do th chateaux of the Loire and get the timing right you could do the Sancerre Wine festival.

 

[Andy63]

Just a suggestion, take the coast road North out of St Malo to Point du Grouin & Cancale then via Dol,De Bretagne visit Mont Saite Michel.
Then take the coast road to Grandville probably worth an overnight stay (the Ibis on the marina is very good) excellent bars and resaurants.

Next day take the straight east road D924 out of Grandville to Villedieu-les-Poeles and get on the awesome D999 to Sainte Hilare De Harcouret from here you have a choice of Fougeres, Vitre & Rennes to stay or venture further to Nantes which has a beautiful city centre. If you decide on Rennes Hotel La Victoria is a good place with off street parking. all the restaurants are on Rue de Corbin with a great Irish bar around the corner.
In Nantes I stay in Ibis centre tour Bretagne has off street parking

Other places to visit are Poitier (the Ibis is right on the main street with parking)beautiful city. La Rochelle, Vannes, Quiberon, Auray & Carnac.

If you plan to go West to Brest the National park Regional D'Armonique has some stunning roads and scenery. Coming back from here you could take the
Northern coast road to Paimpol, Binic and Saint Quay Portrieaux.

Dinan and Dinard are also worth a visit

 

[Joe narvey]

Just a suggestion, take the coast road North out of St Malo to Point du Grouin & Cancale then via Dol,De Bretagne visit Mont Saite Michel.
Then take the coast road to Grandville probably worth an overnight stay (the Ibis on the marina is very good) excellent bars and resaurants.

Next day take the straight east road D924 out of Grandville to Villedieu-les-Poeles and get on the awesome D999 to Sainte Hilare De Harcouret from here you have a choice of Fougeres, Vitre & Rennes to stay or venture further to Nantes which has a beautiful city centre. If you decide on Rennes Hotel La Victoria is a good place with off street parking. all the restaurants are on Rue de Corbin with a great Irish bar around the corner.
In Nantes I stay in Ibis centre tour Bretagne has off street parking

Other places to visit are Poitier (the Ibis is right on the main street with parking)beautiful city. La Rochelle, Vannes, Quiberon, Auray & Carnac.

If you plan to go West to Brest the National park Regional D'Armonique has some stunning roads and scenery. Coming back from here you could take the
Northern coast road to Paimpol, Binic and Saint Quay Portrieaux.

Dinan and Dinard are also worth a visit

Is there a crossing Poole to jersey to Cherbourg ?

 

[Andy63]

Poole to Jersey then Jersey St Malo by Condor ferries, not sure what ferry goes to Cherbourg

Brittany ferries also goes to St Malo direct not sure which port in England is uses.

 

[Joe narvey]

Poole to Jersey then Jersey St Malo by Condor ferries, not sure what ferry goes to Cherbourg

Brittany ferries also goes to St Malo direct not sure which port in England is uses.

Hmm.. Thanks. I sense a trip. Thank you.

 

[DC]

intersting thread , might keep my eye on this as I have never been to Jersey. However it makes sense to catch ferry there ,stop for one day look around then catch ferry over to France the next day …..good idea

 

[Greenman14]

Thanks for the ideas. I've used the Cherbourg ferry by car and the trip down the peninsula was memorable but only for its boringness. Visited Nantes, not by bike, and loved it, especially the elephant.

 

[younger06]

Heading to Cherbourg from Rosslare on Sunday. That's brilliant information..........cheers.

 

[Wapping]

An option for next year's short trip is Brittany but all I know of it is the nice little towns and beautiful coastline, which is fine but not enough: I need great roads as well. Ferry to St Malo would be first choice, any recommendations for a 4-5 day tour of Brittany?

You have a year give or take but in no strict order....

(1) Look at the sticky of Michelin routes, made by some kind fellow to address appeals such as these:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/224927-80-Virees-a-moto-Region-North-West

(2) Look at the RiDE magazine website, I'm reasonably sure they'll have something.... Let's see, shall we.... Dum, dee, dah...dee, dum... dee... dah...

Bingo! Indeed they do. By bikers, for bikers; what more might a bikermate want?

http://www.ride.co.uk/routes-1/the-ride-guide-to-france

Scroll down....

The RiDE Tour of Brittany and Normandy

Day One: Caen to Dinan
150 miles, 4.5-5 hours' riding
See the route Download GPX file

Day Two: Dinan to Quimper
185 miles, 5-5.5 hours' riding
See the route Download GPX file

Day Three: Quimper to St Nazaire
180 miles, 5.5-6 hours' riding
See the route Download GPX file

Day Four: St Nazaire to Le Mans
155 miles, 4-4.5 hours' riding
See the route Download GPX file

Day Five: Le Mans to Caen
210 miles, 6-6.5 hours
See the route Download GPX file


(3) Get a decent map, mate. What map's that, mate? A Michelin map, mate. Thanks, mate.

(4) Try a bit of imaginative Google action, say 'Brittany on a motorcycle'

http://www.brittanytourism.com/idea...-great-ways-to-discover-brittany-by-motorbike

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/moto...es-in-france-/bretagne-brittany--___3484.html

http://blog.holidayfrancedirect.co.uk/2012/07/motorbike-tours-in-brittany/

 

[Andy63]

intersting thread , might keep my eye on this as I have never been to Jersey. However it makes sense to catch ferry there ,stop for one day look around then catch ferry over to France the next day …..good idea

Jersey is well worth a visit a couple of days at least if the weather is good, stunning beaches and coast line, lots of bars and great restaurants very vibrant Town with an abundance of beautiful women

This time of year you'll struggle to find an available hotel room.

 

[Greenman14]

Cheers Wapping, I'm thinking this is from a man who's been there?

 

[ymfb]

If your route takes you any where near Loheac and you have the merest hint of interest in cars and transport, get yourself to this wonderful collection.

http://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home/

 

[Wapping]

Cheers Wapping, I'm thinking this is from a man who's been there?

Mais oui.

 

[younger06]

If your route takes you any where near Loheac and you have the merest hint of interest in cars and transport, get yourself to this wonderful collection.

http://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home/

That's a super looking spot. I'll try and work that in.

 

[Greenman14]

That's a super looking spot. I'll try and work that in.

+1. Looks well worth a visit.

 

[Two wheels good]

J....

Next day take the straight east road D924 out of Grandville to Villedieu-les-Poeles and get on the awesome D999 to Sainte Hilare De Harcouret from here you have a choice of Fougeres, Vitre & Rennes to stay or venture further to Nantes which has a beautiful city centre. If you decide on Rennes Hotel La Victoria is a good place with off street parking. all the restaurants are on Rue de Corbin with a great Irish bar around the corner.

....

Good to know another fan of the D999. It's a gem! And such an unassuming little road on the map. I often want to explore more of the west coast of the peninsula but it's hard to resist the D999 when travelling via Cherbourg.
Heading west from St Hilaire the pleasure can be prolonged via St Martin - Hamelin - St James (where they make the stripey jumpers).

 

[Two wheels good]

Jazz aux Excluses. Annual jazz fest in Hédé

Any jazz fans in Brittany this coming weekend Sept 17-18 Sept 2016 might be interested in this annual festival.
Jazz aux Excluses. (Jazz at the Locks). Lovely setting on the canal to enjoy wine, beer, galette saucisse - as well as the music.
Gigs with both free admission and ticketed. Great atmosphere.

www.jazzauxecluses.fr/jazzauxecluses.fr/Bienvenue.html
Location : Hédé. A couple of kilometers off the main St Malo - Rennes route, the D137