Brittany is France’s largest peninsula in the extreme west of the country. Finis Terrae – “End of the Land” said the Romans after conquering Gaul and looking down on the wild and rugged Breton coast. Even if we know today that Brittany is not the end of the world, the name is still appropriate for this mystical region.
The landscape of Brittany thrives on its impressive contrasts: you will find regions that are reminiscent of Ireland and Scotland with their rugged coasts. A little later you think you are on the Mediterranean in Corsica and are surrounded by palm trees and dense pine forests.
This versatility of Brittany is underlined by the extreme tidal range, which is the second highest in the world. One and the same place looks completely different in the morning at low tide than in the evening at high tide.
Probably the most important attraction of Brittany is the coast. As a peninsula, the department has a very long coastline. The northern and western coasts are mostly rocky and indented with sandy beaches. The coast is slightly more temperate on the south side of the area.
Along the coast, you will also find most of the sights. For example, on the north side, you will find beautiful pink granite rocks (around the town of Ploumanac’h). And don’t forget Saint-Malo, an imposing fortified city whose walls are invincible.
Brittany is littered with prehistoric sites, but the Carnac area on the south coast is home to one of the world’s most famous and largest standing stones. It is very impressive to see how many megaliths have been collected. If you are interested you can see more about it at the Musée de Préhistoire de Carnac.
Camping in Brittany is really not a problem. The coast in particular is dotted with campsites with waterparks in Brittany, but there is much more inland. In fact, the area has one of the largest concentrations of campsites in all of France. For fans of small, relatively basic campsites, below is a list of more than sixty campsites, each with a maximum of fifty campsites.
Camping in Brittany
For holidays in Brittany, camping is a popular alternative to a holiday home or apartment. There is a wide range: holidaymakers can choose from more than 600 campsites in Finstère, Morbihan, Côtes-d’Armor or Ille-et-Vilaine where to park their caravan or tent. All price and comfort classes are represented, from rustic 1-star campsites to 5-star facilities. If you don’t want to drive through Brittany on the spur of the moment, but appreciate detailed preparation, the best thing to do is to find out about the possibilities on the Internet.
In order to spend a holiday on a campsite, you don’t necessarily have to bring your own tent or caravan. At some campsites in Brittany, the operators rent out comfortably furnished bungalows for several people in addition to pitches. “Mobil-home” is what the French call this type of accommodation, which hardly differs from a holiday apartment.
The “mobile homes” are mainly found on large campsites, facilities that, with their many possibilities, are more reminiscent of an all-inclusive hotel or a holiday complex like “Center Parcs”. With pools, shopping and entertainment, everything is designed to ensure that guests leave the campsite grounds as little as possible. This type of stay is particularly popular with families with children.
Discover Brittany by motorhome
A special feature makes Brittany particularly attractive for motorized campers. Short-term “wild camping” with the caravan is tolerated where it is not expressly forbidden. Just look out for the relevant signs: a crossed-out motorhome with the addition “Interdit au camping-car” clearly indicates that caravans are not allowed in this location.
Independence is paid for with a lack of campsite comforts such as a shower. There are fantastic opportunities to park the mobile home near the beach or even with a sea view. Fresh air, the sound of the sea in the background and all completely free of charge – what more could nature lovers want?
Staying overnight on such a tolerated pitch is an option, especially if the tour through Brittany with the mobile home is planned outside of the camping season. In winter most campsites in Brittany close, usually, the season for camping is between Easter and the end of September, in rare cases until mid-October.
