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7–10 days exploring rugged coastlines, medieval towns, islands, and Breton culture
Brittany is one of France’s most distinctive regions for a road trip. Jutting into the Atlantic at the far west of the country, it feels wilder, older, and more elemental than much of France, shaped by the sea, Celtic heritage, and a deeply rooted local identity.
A Brittany road trip by car lets you follow dramatic coastlines, cross long estuaries, hop between medieval towns, and reach places that public transport barely touches. Distances are manageable, but the scenery changes constantly, from pink granite cliffs and windswept headlands to half-timbered towns, islands, and sheltered fishing ports.
This itinerary focuses on Brittany’s northern and western coasts, with inland detours for historic towns and quieter countryside. It’s designed to balance headline landscapes with slower coastal days, keeping driving logical while leaving room to stop when the view demands it.
Brittany Road Trip Map
Route: Saint-Malo – Perros-Guirec – Morlaix – Brest – Crozon Peninsula – Quimper – Rennes (optional)
Distance: ~550 km (loop)
Duration: 7–10 days
Best time to go: May–September
Best for: Coastlines, islands, seafood, historic towns, dramatic scenery
This map shows the main bases and driving route. You can save it to Google Maps for planning or offline use while driving.
Planning tools we actually use for France Road Trips
Day 1: Saint-Malo: Walled City and Coastal Gateway
Base: Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo is the natural starting point for a Brittany road trip, especially if you’re arriving from the UK by ferry. Compact, atmospheric, and surrounded by water, it immediately sets the tone for the region’s mix of maritime history and dramatic coastline.
Spend time walking the full circuit of the ramparts, which gives you ever-changing views over beaches, islands, and the Channel. Inside the walls, narrow streets lead to small squares, cafés, and seafood restaurants that feel lively without tipping into tourist overload. At low tide, you can walk across the sand to nearby islets, while high tide brings crashing waves and a completely different mood.
Saint-Malo works best as a short, focused base rather than somewhere to linger for many days. Two nights is ideal: enough time to explore the old town properly, enjoy an evening inside the walls, and then hit the Emerald Coast for a day.
Day 2: Emerald Coast and Dinard
Base: Saint-Malo
Spend today exploring the Emerald Coast, named for the shifting green-blue colour of the sea. Start with a short drive to Dinard, a Belle Époque seaside town known for its villas, promenade, and calmer atmosphere compared to Saint-Malo.
Follow coastal roads west toward Cap Fréhel if you want a longer drive, or keep things slow with beach walks and short cliff paths closer to Saint-Malo. This stretch of coast is ideal for unplanned stops, cafés by the water, and simply watching the tides roll in and out.
Return to Saint-Malo for a second night, or stay just outside the walls if you prefer a quieter evening
Day 3: Saint-Malo to the Pink Granite Coast
Base: Perros-Guirec or nearby village
Leave the Emerald Coast behind and head west toward the Pink Granite Coast. The drive takes you through smaller towns and wooded inland Brittany before the coastline reappears in a completely different form.
Around Perros-Guirec, the landscape becomes surreal. Huge pink-hued granite boulders pile along the shore, sculpted by wind and sea into strange, rounded shapes. Coastal paths here are some of the most rewarding walks in Brittany, with short routes offering big views.
In the afternoon, take time to walk part of the Sentier des Douaniers coastal path or take a boat trip out to the Sept-Îles, home to seabirds and seals. Stay nearby to enjoy the coast in softer evening light.
Day 4: Morlaix and Western Brittany
Base: Morlaix or Brest area
Continue west through quieter Brittany toward Morlaix, a small town dramatically framed by a towering viaduct. The historic centre has steep streets, timbered houses, and a slightly faded charm that contrasts nicely with the polished coastal resorts.
From Morlaix, you can either take the fast road to Brest or head to Plouescat, a charming, authentic Breton seaside town with stunning, uncrowded landscapes. Deep in North Finistère, the town is surrounded by the long sandy beaches and unique granite rock formations, perfect for an afternoon of exploring.
From here, meander on the Brest in time for dinner. This is a transition day, easing you into Finistère, where the land feels increasingly exposed to the Atlantic.
Day 5: Pointe Saint-Mathieu and the Far West
Base: Brest or nearby coast
Today is about Brittany at its wildest. Drive west to Pointe Saint-Mathieu, where a ruined abbey and lighthouse sit exposed on a rocky headland overlooking the open ocean.
The sense of space here is immense. Waves crash against dark rocks, seabirds circle overhead, and the land feels stripped back to essentials. Short coastal walks lead to viewpoints that feel genuinely remote, even in summer.
In the afternoon, explore smaller fishing ports like Le Conquet or return slowly toward your base, stopping wherever the road tempts you to pull over.
Day 6: Crozon Peninsula
Base: Crozon Peninsula or Camaret-sur-Mer
Cross south toward the Crozon Peninsula, one of Brittany’s most spectacular but often overlooked areas. This rugged peninsula is defined by steep cliffs, turquoise coves, and long, empty beaches backed by heathland.
Drive the coastal loop slowly, stopping at headlands, small harbours, and walking trails. Cap de la Chèvre offers some of the best views, with cliffs plunging into clear water below.
This is a day to move slowly, walk often, and let the scenery dictate the pace rather than a checklist.
Day 7: Quimper and Southern Brittany
Base: Quimper or onward travel
Finish your Brittany road trip in Quimper, a historic town with a strong Breton identity. The cathedral dominates the centre, while riverside paths and half-timbered streets give the town a gentle, lived-in feel.
Quimper is a good place to reflect on the journey, enjoy a final Breton meal, and prepare for onward travel east or south. From here, you can continue toward Vannes and the Gulf of Morbihan, head back inland, or loop north to complete a longer France road trip.
Final Stop: Rennes (optional en route to Paris)
If you’re returning inland toward Paris or the Channel Tunnel, Rennes works well as a final overnight stop rather than a core part of the Brittany road trip itself. It’s well connected by road, easy to navigate with a car, and breaks up what would otherwise be a long drive east.
Rennes is Brittany’s capital and has a very different feel to the coast. The historic centre is compact and walkable, with half-timbered houses around Place des Lices, a lively café scene, and one of the best food markets in France if you time your visit for a Saturday morning. It’s a good place to reset after days of coastal driving and enjoy a final evening of city energy before leaving the region.
If time is tight, you don’t need more than half a day here. Park up, explore the old town on foot, have a relaxed dinner, and get an early start the next morning. From Rennes, Paris is around 3.5 hours by car, making it a sensible last stop without changing the overall rhythm of the trip.
If you’re heading straight back to the UK via Saint-Malo or another port, Rennes is easily skipped altogether, and the itinerary still works perfectly without it.
Where to Stay on a Brittany Road Trip
For a 7–10 day Brittany road trip, choosing four or five well-placed bases works far better than moving every night. Coastal driving can be slower than expected, and staying put allows you to experience places at different times of day.
All locations below work well with a car and offer parking or straightforward parking options.
Saint-Malo: Northern Coast Base (2 nights)
Luxury: Grand Hôtel des Thermes is set directly on the seafront outside the old walls, with parking and easy access without driving inside the citadel.
Mid-range: Hôtel La Villefromoy is a characterful option near the beach, practical for drivers and quieter than staying inside the walls.
Budget: ibis Saint-Malo Madeleine offers free parking and fast road access, ideal if you’re prioritising ease over atmosphere.
Pink Granite Coast: Perros-Guirec Area (2 nights)
Luxury: Castel Beau Site sits directly on the coastline with sea views and parking, perfect for scenic walks from the door.
Mid-range: Best Western Les Bains Hotel et Spa is central, comfortable, and well set up for road trippers.
Budget: Hotel Ker Mor provides simple rooms and good access to coastal paths and beaches.
Western Brittany: Brest or Morlaix Area (1–2 nights)
Luxury: Oceania Brest Centre is modern, central, and practical with parking options.
Mid-range: Hôtel de la Baie de Morlaix works well if you prefer a smaller town base.
Budget: ibis Brest Centre is reliable and easy for short stays.
Crozon Peninsula: Wild Coast Base (1–2 nights)
Luxury: Hostellerie de la Pointe Saint-Mathieu offers a dramatic setting near the lighthouse, ideal for a special night.
Mid-range: Hôtel Morgat Le Grand Hôtel De La Mer in Crozon is elegant, comfortable, and right on the beach.
Budget: La Maison du Cosquer Chambres d’Hôtes in Camaret-sur-Mer is a comfortable B&B in a well-located spot.
Quimper: Southern Finish (1 night)
Luxury: Manoir du Stang is set in peaceful parkland just outside town, with easy parking and a relaxed vibe.
Mid-range: Hôtel de la Gare offers convenience and good access by car.
Budget: ibis Quimper is dependable and straightforward.
Where to Stay: Rennes (optional final night)
Rennes is best treated as a convenient overnight stop rather than somewhere to linger, so choosing a hotel with easy access and parking matters more than being right in the historic centre.
Luxury: Balthazar Hôtel & Spa is a refined city-centre hotel with a spa and valet parking options, ideal if you want a comfortable final night before a long drive.
Mid-range: Hôtel Le Magic Hall is a characterful and well-located option near the old town.
Budget: ibis Rennes Centre Gare Sud is practical, affordable, and well-suited to drivers.
Booking Tips for Brittany
Road Trip Tips for Brittany
If you want to continue your journey, this route links naturally with our France road trip guide, as well as itineraries through Normandy and the Loire Valley.
More France Road Trips to Explore
Normandy Road Trip: A Classic 7 Day Itinerary by Car
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Dordogne Road Trip: The Best of Southwest France by Car
Provence Road Trip: The Best of Southern France by Car
South of France Road Trip: Route, Highlights & Tips
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