Manchester to Brest, Brittany: an off-season itinerary for the end of Winter
Why Brest? Why March?
Every image you will ever see for Brittany tourism - every website, every accommodation listing - will show Brittany in the summertime, 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.
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.
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.
Brest is one of the major urban bases in Brittany. As a result of heavy bombing by the Allies during World War II, in an attempt to destroy the submarine base the Germans had built in the harbour, the city does not have much remaining historical architecture. No matter - sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean on a stunning bay, the city has at its heart one of the country’s most animated harbours. What’s more, to the east and 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. And Brest has a very unusual claim as the European capital of oceanography. According to the University of Brest, more than 60% of France’s maritime researchers and engineers have made the city their home.
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.
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 Brest. Car will also be essential to move around.
Highlights include a winter hike around the Crozon peninsula, artisanale beer and lemonade, biscuits and a visit to one of the most important oceanogrphic centres in the world.
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
EITHER
Fly indirect from Manchester to Brest with AirFrance, transferring through Paris
OR
Fly indirect from Leeds to Brest, with KLM-AirFrance, transferring through Amsterdam and Paris
OR
Fly Liverpool to Nantes with Easyjet, then drive 3h 45m to Brest
In summer, there are many more flights, including Leeds to Brest via Dublin, with AerLingus,
ACCOMODATION LOCATION
Near Brest
Just outside of Brest is the Plougastel-Daoulas peninsula, which is easily accessible to Brest via a bridge over the water that connects the two.
There is also the commune of Le Relecq-Kerhuon, just to the east of Brest and giving right out onto the beach.
Either of which would 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!
Visit ocean museum 70.8 maritime innovation gallery: Opened in 2020, and located in the Atelier des Capucins, 70.8 is a center for technical and scientific culture dedicated to the ocean, presenting maritime innovation in all its aspects.
Tour Tanguy: for an immersive experience of Brest’s long history
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 sea, on board the Brestoâ or the Loch Monna from Brest
In the summer, every 4 years (next is 2028) is the International Maritime Festival, where a flotilla of traditional boats gather in the harbour from all over the world, alongside a programme of artistic and cultural performances
Other Off-season Itineraries
