Leeds to Brest, Brittany: an off-season itinerary for the end of Winter
Why Finistère? Why March?
Every image you will ever see for Brittany tourism - every website, every accommodation listing - will show Brittany in the summer time, bathed in gorgeous sunshine. It’s true that winter is not warm, but with a climate very similar to southern England, they experience a mild (if wet) winter - expect 8-11°C during the day.
March is a mysteriously unknowable and unpredictable month in the northwest corner of Europe; we can get everything from blue skies and frigid air, to bouncing rain, to snow, freezing cold and biting winds, to very warm and sunny days hovering around 18°C. You just don’t know what you’re gonna get. What March always has though, is the optimism and anticipation of spring being around the corner. The days have returned to what feels like a ‘normal’ length, the dark days of winter behind us, and the clocks go forward at the end of the month, elongating the days even further. Dressed accordingly, it’s a great month for venturing outside and if the weather is just too much, there’s plenty indoor cultural action to amuse too.
Finistère is very much characterised by the presence of the ocean, which wraps all the way around this province on almost every single side. Like Cornwall (with whom the Bretons share a cultural link, both being Celtic nations), this peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic, has an island-like feel, with the ocean present and visible almost constantly.
The two major urban bases are Brest and Quimper, and sandwiched between the two of them, stretching from the coast to inland, there is the Parc naturel régional d'Armorique, a huge natural park with rugged granite peaks, moors & dense forests. Since this is an off-season trip, and indoorsing will be a key fallback for poor weather, staying close to a city means cultural and foodie activities are in easy reach for when the weather just isn’t playing ball. Also, unlike exclusively summer tourist destinations, cities don’t tend to close anything during the off-season, so museums and restaurants should be open too.
This is an alternative option for exploring Brittany in its off-season, using the outskirts of Brest as the main base, for easy access to city, country, coast and culture, all within a 1 hour drive or less.
Itinerary At A Glance
4 night independent itinerary for the very northwest tip of France - Finistère in Brittany - choosing the outskirts of Brest as the base
Based on travelling at the very end of winter/start of spring, flying in and out of Paris CDG. Car will also be essential to move around.
Highlights include a winter hike around the Crozon peninsula, artisanale beer and lemonade, biscuits
Based on a couple travelling, with a focus on leisurely cultural activities and biking, interspersed with time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere
Itinerary Details
WHEN
March
Like the UK, March can be either cold and snowing, or warm and sunny, with spring bursting forth early. Take clothing options and plan activities that account for these unknowable circumstances.
LIGHT & WEATHER
Moderate daylight, likely chilly (not freezing)
Sunrise: 07:59am to 07:58am
Sunset: 19:02pm to 20:47pm
11-12 hours of daylight
TRAVEL MEANS
Fly from Leeds Bradford to Paris CDG with Jet2, then drive
Drive Paris to Brest is 5hrs 20mins
Car hire will also be essential
LOCATION
Near Brest
Just outside of Brest are the Plougastel-Daoulas peninsula, which is easily accessible to Brest the city via bridge over the water that connects the two, and the commune of Le Relecq-Kerhuon, just to the east of Brest and giving right out onto the beach, either of which make an excellent base for the delights of both city and country. The views in this part of Finistère are all about ocean ocean ocean.
Schedule
Day 1
Fly in the morning, drive in the afternoon, collect groceries, arrive and settle in
Day 2
Brunch: at La Coloc overlooking Brest harbour
Visit Atelier des Capucins: Former shipbuilding workshops, now the largest covered public square in Europe. A huge and diverse public meeting spot with food, performance, art, shopping…also accessible by cable car!
Tour Tanguy: for an immersive experience of Brest’s long history
70.8 maritime innovation gallery
Day 3
Hike Crozon peninsula: Drive to Crozon for a hike
Day 4
Relax
Le Comoedia Galerie d'Art: contemporary gallery with a strong focus on street art
Brasserie Poem Brewery, making artisanale beer and lemonade (Bar open from 4pm to 12:30am on weekends, with tours of the brewery available Fridays only, 9am to 5pm)
Evening Show at Le Quartz theatre
Day 5
Travel home
Ideas for another visit
Visit Peck & Co, a gastronomy concept store, a dining boutique with various inspirations, a place where you can snack from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
Lunch at Le Castelach
In summer, visit the Crozon peninsula by get there by sea, on board the Brestoâ or the Loch Monna from Brest
Other Off-season Itineraries
