Camping In Brittany: Best Campsites, Wild Camping, Things To Do & More!
With its continental charm, rich history and rugged coastline, camping in Brittany has become a popular vacation, and is certainly one of our favourite places to holiday in France.
The country’s northwesternmost region is fascinating, steeped in history and tradition, and even has a 10km stretch of coastline made up of pink granite rocks! It’s a very special place.
Whether you are planning to walk, cycle, or are just looking for an inexpensive way to visit this region, camping in Brittany can be a cost effective and fun way to do that. It’s also a truly unique opportunity to lose yourself in the quiet scenery that makes this place so special.
There are several campsites in Brittany to choose from. We share some of our favourites below, alongside our recommendations on where to visit near each. Then we tell you some of our favourite things to do in Brittany, look at whether wild camping in Brittany is allowed, and lastly show you what months are the best to visit this region.
Camping In Brittany
Expect a Brittany holiday to be packed with woodland walks, quaint historical towns and long sandy beaches. With over 2,860 km of coastline – ideal for water-sports and sunbathing – this pretty region of France is home to a third of the country’s total coastline!
There are some great campsites to choose from that are located close to some of the best beaches and main walking routes in Brittany – we give some of our favourites below.
A good quality walking in Brittany book – like this one – can help you plan what area you may want to visit and walk in, and therefore what campsites might be of interest to you.
However if you’re looking for information on Brittany’s campsites, we give you some of our favourite campsites below!
Camping In Brittany: Some Of The Best Campsites In Brittany
Les Embruns
This 5 star campsite is situated in the Finistère region and extends over five hectares. There’s some great accommodation options here such as cozy cottages, alongside 85 camping pitches dedicated to caravans, campervans or tents. Personally, we thought this site was private, well kept, quiet, and had lots of space.
Located in the village of Le Pouldu, Les Embruns has many fun activities on-site including a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam, mini golf, a gym and more. On some nights there’s even a karaoke disco. The campsite restaurant – Escale Gourmande – is very good too. Particularly the seafood dishes.
There’s three very lovely beaches within walking distance, and a river just 800 metres away if you fancy a dip during hot days. There’s some great places to visit in the surrounding region too, like the Oceanopolis aquarium.
Camping du Letty
This lovely family-run (and dog friendly) campsite is situated right by the sea in Bénodet. For us, it felt like a very unique camping experience with a bit of luxury thrown in, as there are facilities like a fitness room, sauna, whirlpool and steam bath on-site.
There’s lots of activities to keep children occupied, including an outside playground, an indoor playground, a heated indoor pool, a toddlers’ pool and a sports ground. The big pool at the campsite has a bit of a tropical island feel too, and even has bridges and slides to enjoy!
As it’s located just a short walk from the pretty seaside town of Bénodet, there’s a great selection of shops and restaurants close by as well.
Camping La Pointe
If you are looking for a quiet, more relaxed atmosphere to reconnect with nature, Camping La Pointe could be just that. We also thought it was a great base for exploring Brittany.
Set in the heart of a woodland, this 3 star family-run campsite is ideal for discovering the coastline of Finistere as well as the quaint surrounding villages here. The campsite is just a leisurely walk into the market town of Chateaulin too.
There’s many great walking and cycling trails nearby, along with some fantastic beaches. Thankfully after a day exploring the region, you can cool down in the campsite’s outdoor pool.
Camping Milin Kerhe
Situated in Pabu, this campsite sits in a peaceful woodland setting beside the River Trieux and is perfect for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. If you’re looking for a camping holiday with some outdoor sports thrown in, this would be the perfect choice.
It’s close to some charming towns too. We recommend exploring nearby Guingamp, Pontrieux, Paimpol and Treguier, as well as the magnificent Pink Granite Coast.
There’s ample space on side so pitches feel private. Some of the pitches are equipped with campfires!
Wild camping In Brittany
DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go wild camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.
Like other areas of France, wild camping or making a bivouac in Brittany isn’t officially allowed. Although campers are allowed to pitch their tent if they have the permission of a landowner. You can find more information concerning wild camping here.
However as this area is a popular walking area with amazing natural beauty, outdoor enthusiasts do sometimes wild camp here. If you are planning to wild camp in Brittany – and can’t be swayed to stay in a campsite instead – we’ve compiled the following guidelines to help keep you out of trouble and camp in a considerate manner:
- You should camp in the same place for one night only, and pitch your small tent discretely and in a remote place which will not be easily seen. Therefore don’t camp in or near settlements, someone’s farm or on cultivated land. If you think you’re on private land, always seek out the landowner and ask permission. They may request a small fee.
- Campers should set up their tent at dusk, and take it down at dawn. A tent that is discreet, blends in with the landscape, and pitches quickly is best. Therefore a lightweight walking tent like this one would be a great investment for someone planning to wild camp in Brittany.
- If you are walking a trail, make sure you choose to camp in a place that won’t be in any other hiker’s or walker’s way.
- When wild camping in Brittany you must never make a campfire. Instead of building campfires, you could use a storm cooker for cooking – but check local laws first. Then there is much less wildfire risk and you can cook knowing that the fire is contained. We believe the best ones on the market are Trangia storm cookers. Portable solar ovens, like this one by GoSun, are also a good fuel-less option.
- Take any rubbish with you, and leave your camping spot exactly the way you found it.
Some Of The Best Places To Visit When Camping In Brittany
Rennes
Known as the capital of Brittany, Rennes is brimming with history and is home to some stunning churches like Eglise Saint-Sauveur, which was built from the 17th to the 18th centuries, and Notre-Dame en Saint-Melaine, which has an elaborately sculpted facade.
You should also visit the perfectly preserved historic houses here like Hôtel de Blossac when visiting.
Côte d’Emeraude (Emerald Coast)
Boasting a breathtaking stretch of coastline that runs along the north coast from Saint-Malo to Cap Fréhel, Côte d’Emeraude is a fantastic emerald coloured area of water that lives up to its name.
Walk to the top of Cap Fréhel for panoramic views of the coastline and amazing photo opportunities.
Morbihan Megalithic Sites
Morbihan is a breathtaking spot made up of ancient and unique stone structures that are unique to this region – several of which are older than Stonehenge.
The incredible megalithic sites and unique monuments here, such as Alignements de Carnac, really are worth a visit.
Camping In Brittany: The Weather & Best Months To Visit
Summer is a great time to visit Brittany as the daytime temperatures are a very pleasant 21 °C to 27°C. This season is the busiest but that’s because it’s a great time to sunbathe, do water-sports and enjoy relaxing walks as paths will be dry and walkers can enjoy longer daylight hours.
With mild to warm temperatures, spring is cooler but families can still make the most of a full day exploring the prehistoric monuments and coastline. Temperatures range from 10°C to 17°C, and visitors can see flowers in full bloom and birds can be spotted during walks
With milder temperatures during autumn – ranging between 6°C to 16°C – this season is a fantastic time to avoid the peak summer tourist season, go on hikes, take in the majestic coastal views, and enjoy the beautiful monuments here. The temperature is mild and pleasant in September, but gradually becomes more cold, windy and rainy as autumn progresses.
Winter brings the shortest daylight hours and coolest temperatures, ranging between 3°C and 9°C, but visitors can still enjoy the crisp air during walks on the different trails around the area.
Recommended For Camping In Brittany
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