Brittany and Normandy

In 2021 our lives were still dominated by corona and traveling far was in fact not allowed so we choose again for a nearby trip to France. The year before we saw Normandy for a part but still so much to explore there and also Brittany looks gorgeous so we decide to make a combination of both.

We start our roadtrip in northern Brittany and we stay in Combrit where we check in at the Villa Tri Men for some nice trips in the northern region. Just before we leave home I get an unpleasant surprise as my footproblem causes some complications and I need a brace. That will need some changes in our program too because I will not be able to make lots of hikings. In fact the doctor told me to just take rest and further be inactive but we plan to make cartrips.

From Combrit we drive to the charming village of Locronan in the department of Finistère. Locronan is on the list of Most Beautiful Villages of France and that is real worth. It is a cosy small village with cobbed streets and granite stone houses . In the middle is a central square and the Saint Ronan church with in the backyard the cementry and borders filled with blooming hydrangea. Around the central square we notice some small shops full of local products and they bring an atmosphere of ancient times.

In Combrit it is nice walking too. Around La Pointe Sainte-Marine it is lovely to relax and enjoy the beach views. Here we pass the guardhouse Sainte-Marine build in 18th century and part of a serie of guardhouses to defend the area along the coastline. This short walk is far enough for me struggling around with my brace so we decide to return to the hotel for a cocktail and some time to relax in the garden near the water.

At Pointe du Raz, also in the department of Finistère, we are at the westernmost cape of Brittany and France. Luckily for me there is a shuttle service for wheelchairs so the friendly driver gives me a transfer uphill, my husband takes the path. From the cliffs we get some nice views on the Baie des Trépassés and the lighthouse Phare de la Vieille on a tiny rocky island. La Chapelle de Saint They is a lonely and abandoned chapel located at the cliffs.

After a few days in the northern region of Brittany we drive further to the south and our next destination is the peninsula of Quiberon. On our way we make some stops and the first that day is the artists' village of Pont-Aven, famous from the painters school founded by Paul Gaugin. We walk along idyllic corners and watersides and we admire the many characteristic facades of cosy houses. 

Last stop of the day we make at Île de Saint-Cado. This photogenic and charming location must be by far the most popular photolocation of Brittany. The view of the house with the blue shutters on a tiny island in the bay is an iconic postcardview. In the past the house was inhabited by an oysterfarmer and his family, nowadays it's abandonded but still very pretty and full of charm so photographers come all over to capture this, and so do I. I also like to stroll around between small fishing boats resting on the dry land.

And so we arrive at the Sofitel Quiberon for a stay of a few days to explore the Quiberon peninsula. Next morning we start at the port of Port-Haliguen and make a short walk along the quay. Than we continue our route along the westside of the peninsula. The landscapes here are rough and wild; this is the rocky coast of the Côte Sauvage. We return back to the hotel where I need an urgent rest and my husband rents a bike for further exploration. I enjoy the swimmingpool and the wellness.

The next morning we take the scenic route of the east coast along the sandy beaches. It's cloudy and low tide what delivers a magnificent light and effects with reflections on watersurfaces left on the beach when tide was rolling back; a dream for landscapephotography. For the way back we make a loop and choose again for the western route while we make some stops again at the most beautiful parts of the rocky coast. It is true, this part of Brittany is marvelous !

With this all,  the Brittany chapter of our holiday is over but we have some more to enjoy. The year before we said to return to Normandy and the nice hotel in Honfleur so that is exactly what we gonna do after Brittany. Arriving in Auberge de la Source near Honfleur feels good and we can enjoy the delicious meals, the lovely garden and the hospitality of the staff.

The first time in 2020 we made in general many trips along the coast and to Mont Saint-Michel (read my story Normandy 2020) . Now we plan to make trips in the hinterland. On the list of Most Beautiful Villages of France also a few of Normandy villages so we choose Beaumont-en-Auge to start and I instantly fall in love for this most charming place with half-timbered houses, so typical for this region. Next stop is Beuvron-en-Auge, another one on the list. We stroll around and are being charmed by such a lovely houses and facades, streets and squares. On the central square we take a rest on a terrace and enjoy the local produced apple- and pear juice.

We return to Honfleur and walk around the old harbour, Le Vieux Bassin, and the fishing boats. We stroll around the alleys and cobbed streets and cherish the memories of the year before. In the evening we take dinner at the Auberge de la Source and enjoy all culinairy delights of this gourmet cuisine.

End of a beautiful second France trip.