Day 1 Early departure to Portsmouth for the ferry crossing to France. On arrival travel to Rennes (or similar) for an overnight stop. (Bed & Breakfast).
Day 2 Morning at leisure in Rennes to explore before departing after lunch for the journey to Concarneau and the hotel for a four night stay.
Day 3 Today is at leisure in Concarneau where you can either take the land train or simply wander along the beach to the beautiful walled town that sits on a long island in the centre of the harbour.
Day 4 An excursion to the seaside resort of Bénodet, where you will embark on a 2 hour circular river cruise along the beautiful Odet River, describe as “the most beautiful river in France” by Winston Churchill, with a guided commentary along the route. Some free time in Bénodet before travelling to the cultural heart of Brittany, Quimper, where the city’s crowning glory is its gothic cathedral, which dominates the atmospheric old town. Time for lunch before continuing on to the stunning village of Locronan, an exquisite village named after a revered Irishman who settled here in the Dark Ages. Its legacy stems from its later trade as a centre for sail-making which brought the village prosperity and exceptional architecture. The village is full of history and has many little boutiques to explore.
Day 5 This morning you will travel to Vannes, one of Brittany’s most important and picturesque towns. With its charming half-timbered houses, Vannes dates from the 16th century and its old town is a pleasure to explore. Enjoy lunch down by the harbour before departing for Pont-Aven the pretty ‘village of artists’ and historical port town, with its historic watermills along the banks of the river. The town is famous for the invention in 1920 of galettes (butter biscuits).
Day 6 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.