Explore Brittany in France – a region with castles and crepes at every turn
FAMILY-friendly escapes in northern France are just a drive away… Berets optional…
Deputy Editor Ellie O’Mahoney and her family explored Brittany – a region with castles and crepes at every turn.
The pad
Set in a lush valley, La Maison Des Lamour B&B could belong on a Hollywood set.
Designed by Céline, one of three sisters who run this gorgeous hideaway, it’s just 15 minutes from the coast and the apartments are stylishly decorated with flea market finds – we’re talking tin baths, milk-bottle lights and vintage notebooks, which you can stock up on at their shop, too.
A basket packed with fresh bread, croissants, yoghurts, meat and cheese is delivered each morning, and country gardens, a playground, plus pony rides and pedalos on the looping river are on your doorstep.
Hisse Et Ho, a treetop adventure park, will delight the kids with its series of massive nets, hammocks and trampolines in the trees.
Feeling brave? Hit the giant slide and zipline over the valley and back, £8.75 (Hisse-et-ho.fr).
Explore
Stunning 15th-century Château de la Roche-Jagu in Ploëzal, 40 minutes’ drive away, is home to quirky art exhibitions – we loved seeing musical instruments turned into insects.
Castle and exhibition entry costs from £3.50 for adults, under-sevens free (Larochejagu.fr).
In Pontrieux, 10 minutes away, take a guided boat to see the quaint old wash houses lining the river – one-hour tours cost £3.55 per adult and £2.20 per child under 13 (Pontrieux.bzh).
Don’t miss the incredible coastline, either.
At Plouha, just 15 minutes from the B&B, hike the coastal path to Port de Gwin Zégal and Bonaparte beach, a key site for the WW2 resistance and home to a sandy beach.
On your way back to the ferry, stop off at medieval wonder Fougères.
The 1,000- year-old fortress town is postcard-pretty.
Entrance to the castle costs £7.90 for adults, kids under six go free (Chateau-fougeres.com).
Refuel
You’re spoilt with Au Char à Bancs restaurant just a stroll from your beds.
It’s housed in a converted mill with valley views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the smoked salmon and crème fraiche galette, £7.15, offers a real taste of Brittany.
Follow with crepes and rhubarb jam from the garden, £4.40 (Aucharabancs.com).
Meanwhile, Saint-Quay-Portrieux is 20 minutes away.
Head to Le Café de la Plage to try its take on fish and chips with chipotle sauce, £14.70, washed down with a glass of Côtes de Gascogne, £4 (Cafedelaplage-stquay.fr).
In Fougères, drop in on the friendly team at Court Circuit for the unreal La Normande pizza with camembert and honey, £11.
It takes a seriously sweet tooth to finish La Bretonne sundae, £6.20, with its salted caramel and chocolate ice cream, Chantilly cream and salted caramel coulis (Courtcircuitfougeres.bzh).
Book it
A suite for four people costs from £185 a night (Lamaisondeslamour.com/fr).
Plan your trip at Brittanytourism.com.
Portsmouth to Caen ferry crossings cost from £89 and take around six hours (Brittany-ferries.co.uk).
You might even spy dolphins as you cross!