When searching for your perfect holiday destination in France, there’s no need to look any further than beautiful Brittany! There is truly something for everyone here, whether it’s the miles of fabulous coastline and beaches or the many medieval sites including the famous walled cities of St Malo and Dinan. Brittany is relatively close to home making it an ideal location for families with young children, yet it also has a pleasant climate that can reach up to 30 degrees in the summer with the mild climate lingering long into the autumn for any out of season breaks.

How to get there

An easy and practical way to travel to Brittany from the UK is by ferry, you can take your car with you which means plenty of room for the whole family and all their luggage – you can even get your pets a passport and bring them along with you! Brittany Ferries have daily departures to the Breton ports of Roscoff and St Malo from Plymouth and Portsmouth in the UK. You can even mix and match to ensure you get the crossings which are right for you; this means less time driving to your destination and more time enjoying your holiday. There’s plenty on-board to keep both the adults and kids entertained including great shops and restaurants, cinemas and play areas – there’s even a pantomime in the summer!

Where to visit

Brittany is renowned for its beautiful coastline and there are miles and miles of beaches just waiting for you to explore and enjoy. The amazing northern Pink Granite Coast is well worth a visit and has stunning pink glistening stone which can only be found in 2 other locations in the whole world! Follow one of the many coastal paths this area has to offer and visit the small seaside village of Trégastel, which has a great marine aquarium built in to the famous cliffs that kids will love. If a day at the beach is more your thing, be sure to pay a visit to fabulous Dinard, known as the “Cannes of the North” and perfect for a trip to the seaside with its beautiful large, clean sandy beach and blue and white striped 19^th century beach huts.

There are hundreds of fabulous towns and cities to explore in Brittany and the majority of them are steeped in years of character and history. One of the most famous is the walled city of St Malo in the northern Ille et Villaine department of Brittany. Take a walk around the ramparts of the city and enjoy the breath-taking views, including the several islands and forts just out at sea. Alternatively, sit in one of the many lovely cafes and bistros within the walls and just watch the world go by.

Brittany is famous for its gastronomy and its well-loved specialities of crepes and savoury galettes made from traditional buckwheat flour, so be sure to try these during your trip. For those with a sweet tooth traditional Breton gateaux and Kouign-amanns made using salted butter are a must – don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of locally produced Breton cider! Make sure to visit one of the many local markets Brittany has to offer and purchase some of the famous seafood including mussels and oysters, freshly caught off the Brittany coast!

For those holidaying with children there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. On offer are various aquariums, zoos as well as the theme parks Cobac Park and Amoripark. With each of these featuring over 30 activities such as roller-coasters, playgrounds and water-slides, there’s something for the whole family.

If you enjoy an active holiday, Brittany is the ideal destination with plenty of walking, cycling and kayaking available to name but a few. The Nantes-Brest canal alone offers 365km of beautiful tow paths where you can see nature and wildlife against the beautiful backdrop of rivers and canals. The Lac de Guerledan also offers extensive trails for walking and cycling, or alternatively, is ideal for a spot of sunbathing on its beach.

If you are planning a trip to beautiful Brittany then why not book a cottage, gite or B&B with Holiday France Direct. There’s a huge selection of accommodation to choose from, ranging from romantic one bedroom cottages for couples, to roomy French farmhouses perfect for a larger group of family or friends. You’ll also receive a code for 20% off of car and passenger fares with Brittany Ferries, taking you direct to the Brittany ports of Roscoff and St Malo.

For a fantastic array of holiday cottages and gites for rental, visit the Holiday France Direct website.