Recipes & Reminiscing with Karen Wright – Dordogne
Brittany is one of the most easily accessible regions in France whether by plane or ferry. If you hate the idea of piling the whole family in to the car and driving for hours and hours to reach your destination, then we have have good news! We’ve put together a handy guide to fly-drive holidays, including all the flight options from the UK to your destination and the closest campsites to the airports, so you can cut down the driving time and spend more time in the sunshine.
First up in our flyer’s guide is the beautiful region of Brittany in Northern France.
Dinard:
Dinard coast
Despite being located on the Northern coast of France, Dinard actually lies on the Gulf Stream meaning it enjoys a warmer climate than its surrounding areas. The highlight of any visit to Dinard is its beautiful seaside walkway that stretches all the way along the shoreline, la Promenade du Clair de Lune. A walk along this coastal path is the best way to see views of the bay. Dinard has an entirely sandy shoreline which draws many families in to its three excellent beaches, Plage de Saint-Enogat, Plage de l’Ecluse and Plage du Port Blanc. The waters here are also excellent for sailing and water sports. If you head out of town to the eastern end of the Plage de l’Ecluse, you’ll find the Moulinet Point where you can enjoy unbeatable views of St Malo. During the 19th Century, Dinard was the place for the rich and famous to go, as a result the town is adorned with stunning Victorian-style villas and houses. The top sites to see when exploring the centre are the 14thCentury Maison du Prince Noir and the unique 17th Century Manoir de la Baronnais. As a seaside town, Dinard’s restaurants excel at fish and seafood dishes. There are plenty of shops to explore in town, selling everything from fine wines to antiques.
Aéroport Dinard Bretagne is located just a 10 minute drive from the town and is extremely close to a variety of our campsites. Direct flights are available from London Stansted and East Midlands airports through RyanAir.
Campsites close to Dinard Airport:
Château de Galinée (11 miles)
Camping Pins (23 miles)
Domaine des Ormes (24 miles)
Camping le Châtelet (24 miles)
Brest:
Port of Brest
Brest is one of France’s most famous natural harbours, making the quayside a popular attraction when visiting the city. There are plenty ways to explore the city including on foot, bike, bus or tram but there is a more unique way of seeing Brest – from the sky! Brest is home to the first ever urban cable car which allows some unique views of the city and a quick and easy way to get around. The Océanopolis in Brest is an excellent activity for the whole family, it is the only ocean discovery centre of its kind in Europe. The kids will have tons of fun discovering the amazing marine life and getting up close and personal with sharks, turtles, otters and more.
Aéroport Brest Bretagne is a 15 minute drive away from the city. Direct flights from the UK are available from London Luton with Flykiss as well as from Birmingham and Southampton with Flybe.
Campsites close to Brest Airport:
Port de Plaisance (54 miles)
Escale St Gilles (56 miles)
Camping de l’Atlantique (57 miles)
Camping Les Deux Fontaines (67 miles)
Lorient:
Port of Lorient
Lorient is a port and fishing town steeped in history. It became the base for German submarines during the Second World War and was subsequently severely bombed, effectively destroying most of Lorient’s buildings and monuments. The German submarine base still remains and is now a tourist attraction with a museum. Rebuilt into a modern town, Lorient has a bustling city centre and a calm bay. Lorient’s modern buildings are some interesting examples of 20th Century architecture such as its 1920’s art-deco Chamber of Commerce and a residential block dubbed the ‘Banana’ from the 1950’s. Lorient holds an inter-celtic festival between the first Friday and second Sunday of August. This big festival brings the town to life with song and dance celebrating the Celtic history of Brittany.
Aéroport de Lorient Bretagne Sud is just over 10 minute drive from the town. Direct flights are only currently available from London Stansted with RyanAir.
Campsites close to Lorient Airport:
Les Deux Fontaines (32 miles)
La Grande Metairie (34 miles)
Escale St Gilles (41 miles)
Port de Plaisance (42 miles)
Conguel (44 miles)
Camping De l’Atlantique (44 miles)
Rennes:
Saint George Palace in Rennes
Rennes is a vibrant university city rich with culture and stunning architecture. There are plenty of impressive buildings to see including the Saint George Palace, le Palais du Parlement, the Opéra de Rennes and the stunning neoclassical cathedral. The city is home to stunning architecture alongside beautiful lush greenery such as the Parc du Thabor. This is ten hectares of the most unforgettable gardens complete with a summer rose garden home to over 2,000 varieties. No trip to Rennes is complete without a walk through the 18th Century old town with its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. For a touch of culture, head to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, opened after the Revolution it is home to a collection of drawings by some of the world’s most famous artists including Donatello, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and da Vinci. Rennes is home to Les Tombées de la Nuit, a unique festival of street art and performances, held in early summer.
Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport is a 20 minute drive from the city. Direct flights are available from many locations across the UK including Birmingham, Exeter, London City, London Southend, Manchester and Southampton through both Flybe and AirFrance, while additionally Vueling, Iberia and British Airways fly to Rennes from London Gatwick. You can also fly Dublin to Rennes direct with AerLingus.
Campsites close to Rennes Airport:
Domaine des Ormes (35 miles)
Château de Galinée (58 miles)
Le Châtelet (63 miles)
Domaine D’Inly (68 miles)
Camping Pins (69 miles)
Nantes:
Les Machines de L’Ile in Nantes
There’s a little bit of debate about whether Nantes belongs to Brittany (as it historically did) or the Loire region of France, but it is still easily accessible from most of our Brittany campsites. One of the most unique attractions in Nantes is Les Machines de L’Ile, a unique art project that has seen giant elaborate machines set up in Nantes. The Grand Eléphant is the project’s most recognisable creation, a 40ft machine elephant that carried up to 50 passengers on a unique journey. The project also includes a gallery showcasing the artists behind the constructions’ work and the Carrousel des Mondes Marins, an 82ft giant carousel dedicated to creatures of the sea. Nantes’ largest botanical gardens, Jardin des Plantes, is the ideal place for a relaxing stroll among over 7,000 hectares of flowers including magnolias and camellias. If you fancy a spot of shopping during your trip, visit la Passage Pommeraye, a shopping centre set amongst stunning architecture. For culture and history head to Nantes’ Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne in the centre of Nantes. It operated as the seat of the province of Brittany right up until 1941 and now houses the Nantes History Museum, the best place to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Northern France.
Nantes Atlantique Airport is a 20 minute drive from the city. Direct flights to Nantes are available through Easyjet from Bristol, Liverpool and London Gatwick. RyanAir and Aer Lingus run direct from Dublin to Nantes and British Airways have direct flights from London Heathrow. Birmingham to Nantes is direct through Flybe.
Campsites close to Nantes:
Domaine D’Inly (54 miles)
La Grande Métairie (89 miles)
Conguel (100 miles)
Domaine des Ormes (102 miles)
For more Brittany holiday inspiration check out our blog post Brittany for Beginners.
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