Brittany in a van with your dog: holiday ideas, road trip and good plan!
Where to start when it comes to talking about Brittany?!
I love this part of France so much that when people ask me what to visit and what to do in Brittany with a dog, I lose my Latin! I have hundreds of images in my head: creeks, wild islands, magical forests filled with korrigans, small granite houses, pointed slate roofs, windswept cliffs, pancakes eaten on the port , oysters from Cancale, salted butter caramel, Celtic music, legends, the seabed that dances with the tides, majestic lighthouses that defy the storms… and then the Bretons and their yellow oilskins… finally there, I have to put an end to a myth because in truth, the only ones who have a yellow raincoat in Brittany are the tourists… 😉
In this article, I suggest you discover Brittany with your dog in a converted van! I will make you discover some tourist places and unmissable panoramas of Brittany. And then, as we will be traveling by van, we will be able to get off the beaten track to discover some Breton nuggets…
Before going on a road trip on the roads of Brittany, let me give you some valuable advice to prepare for your trip in a camper van with your dog.
By car Simone… uh no, here it's more of a Van Yann! 🙂
Rent a van and discover Brittany with your dog!
The campervan is the ideal mode of travel to visit Brittany and its wonders in a few days. And especially to go on vacation with your dog in Brittany! If you have never tried this kind of vacation, go for it! Your dog and your whole family will love going on an adventure in Brittany. The key words will be: Freedom and Escape!
Traveling by van is exhilarating: we stop where we want, we explore the places as long as we want, we leave faster than expected if we want! Freedom guaranteed! And in case of bad weather, then extend the road and stop further! It's that easy...
But by the way: do you have a van for this Breton road trip?
If not, these few lines are for you. Do you know LOUTIPI? Loutipi is a small Breton and family agency for the rental of nomadic accommodation (van, combi, roof tents…). It is located in Combourg in the heart of Romantic Brittany, between Rennes, Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel, the childhood town of the famous writer François René de Chateaubriand.
I've been talking with Delphine and Eric, the founders of the agency that I'm starting to know well, for a few months now. Their project is just awesome! They changed their lives to create their business and after many months of work, that's it: Loutipi is launched! It is a pleasure to tell you about this young company and to put this beautiful course in the spotlight!
Loutipi offers for hire: new vans, vintage combis or roof tents to equip your car. And of course, their nomadic accommodations are dog-friendly, dogs are welcome!
Delphine and Eric are also the happy owners of OUPS. They are therefore fully aware of the problem of holidays with a dog. When the project was created, one thing was sure and certain: Holidaymakers' dogs would also have their place in the van!
That's why I'm telling you about it here. Thus, I recommend that you contact Delphine and Eric, the managers of Loutipi who will be able to advise you on choosing the best van for your holidays with your dog. Part of their fleet is dog-friendly to allow dog owners to experience vanlife with their 4-legged friend. They will also be very happy to accompany you in the preparation of your vanlife adventure project.
Eric and Delphine became addicted to family van getaways after discovering vanlife during a trip to Iceland. As soon as they can, they leave with their 3 children (Louis, TItouan and Pierre) to explore Brittany in a van and take advantage of its wonders to recharge their batteries and take the time to enjoy their family. Oops is also often in the game!
So if you don't have a van, call them on behalf of EmmèneTonChien.com and they will give you a Too W'ouf welcome with your 4 legs…!
Before sharing with you my favorite corners of Brittany, let me give you some tips for preparing your vacation in a van with your dog; especially if it's your first time at all.
Traveling in a converted van with your dog
For your holidays to be as magnificent as Brittany is, you need to prepare your roadtrip in a camper van with your dog!
Here are some practical tips to ensure that your dog travels comfortably and you too.
First, take his basket and his favorite toys to recreate his own space. It is essential that there is a space just for him where he can rest and/or take refuge with free access if he wants to isolate himself a little.
Remember to take all his daily belongings: his croquettes, his bowls, his medicines, his health record, his leash and his collar with a medal where your contact details are readable! I insist on this super mega important point because, if traveling in a van is synonymous with freedom for you, it is also and totally true for your dog. Thus, once the doors of the van open, the world opens up to him and if doggie is curious, he may well want to take to their heels. If he escapes you, his necklace and his medal will allow you to be called quickly and someone to put an end to your infernal wait...
Even if your dog must be identified by a tattoo or an electronic chip, few people take the stray dogs they meet to the veterinarian to find the owners. The medal is an ultra easy way to contact you! Know that there are removable enclosures that you can unfold in front of your van each time you settle somewhere. It can be a way to give your dog a little freedom without him escaping if it's too tempting for him...
And on the travel side, consider equipping yourself with a transport crate for your dog. You must apply the same safety rules as in your car. Your pet must not be able to walk around in the passenger compartment and interfere with your driving, or even turn into a projectile in the event of an accident... It can also travel fastened with a special dog seat belt.
After all this advice, let's get down to business. Let's discover Brittany in a fitted van!
Vanlife in Brittany with a dog, between discoveries and hidden treasures…
So then… where to start? My first question is simple… how many vacation days do you have or will you take for this roadtrip in Brittany with your dog?
Not being able to do tailor-made in this article, I am going to suggest that you divide Brittany into 5 zones: the Gulf of Morbihan, the forest of Brocéliande, the Emerald Coast, the Pink Granite Coast and finally, the cherry on the cake: Finistère!
The Gulf of Morbihan with his dog
I discovered the Gulf of Morbihan by canoe with my dog as part of an outing organized during the week of the Gulf of Morbihan. It's an incredible maritime festival where a thousand traditional boats sail in the Gulf or along the coast to satisfy all curious sea lovers! I feasted and I took full eyes.
But, if you are not visiting in May, here is what you should not miss in the Gulf of Morbihan: Arzon – Vannes – Arradon – Le Bono – Auray – La Trinité-sur-Mer – Carnac – Quiberon and its peninsula. These are magical steps not to be missed. On the program: fine sandy beaches, alignments of menhirs and small towns of character that invite you to stroll!
Please note that the Carnac site is unfortunately not accessible to dogs, but you can discover it from the little tourist train Le Bayon which will take you on a trip to the heart of the most beautiful Neolithic site in the world between Carnac and La Trinité sur mer. A tip 100 % dog-friendly to enjoy this site! It was in Quiberon that Musher and I tried surfing for the first time! There are many spots on the wild coast but be careful, surfing with your dog, you have to prepare! A board and a few waves are not enough to have a good time...I therefore advise you to read the article: go surfing with your dog where you will find many tips from champions in the matter! From Quiberon, you can also go on a day trip to the island of Houat, Artz or even the island of Moines. The Gulf Company accepts dogs on board its shuttles! Park your van and set off to discover this pretty little Breton island.
The forest of Brocéliande with his dog
Here is a very mysterious corner of inland Brittany… Also called the Paimpont forest, this wooded area is home to a thousand and one magical legends. It is here that historical events would have happened, linked to King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin the Wizard. It is an ideal natural space for hiking in the forest. I advise you to try geocaching. It's a treasure hunt that will take you through the forest from puzzle to puzzle until you find the treasure. I know this course well since it was I who created it in one of my previous jobs. Your dog will love to smell the good smells of the forest and run after each stick thrown! Musher loved these walks that smell of humus and mushrooms (in autumn).
The Emerald Coast with his dog
Wow! You will take full eyes. Saint Malo, Cancale, Dinard, Saint Suliac, Erquy… Here are destinations where you absolutely must stop off with your dog. Be careful, Saint Malo is not a very dog-friendly city. As sublime as this city is, it risks disappointing you during your holidays with your dog because the ramparts are forbidden to them… hey yes, we are paying the price there for the disrespectful owners who make all the others look as filthy as them ! Sorry for my rant but this kind of behavior deprives us of discovering Saint Malo! And it's super annoying! A poop can be picked up, that's all, end of debate!
Okay, let's resume our journey on the Emerald Coast… The vanlifer's privilege is to see the sunrise or sunset live from its open doors! You will enjoy.
All around Brittany winds the GR34: a long-distance hiking trail accessible with your dog on a leash. From the GR, you will discover 1000 landscapes, each more sumptuous and majestic than the next, and this is particularly the case between Cap Fréhel and Fort Lalatte. I recommend this little bit of hiking with your dog.
Another activity to do with your dog in Brittany? Shore fishing! The phenomenon of high tides is eagerly awaited by fishermen who collect razor clams, clams, scallops, crabs, lobsters, abalone... But be careful not to pick up anything anyhow: there are very strict rules to respect size and quantity side! How does this relate to your dog? He will love coming to play in the rocks with you! I watch Musher closely because as a good foodie, she is never against chewing on a currycomb or two… Be careful, however, when walking on the rocks… Always plan to have your dog's first aid kit with you… a slide and a small gash can happen quickly.
The Pink Granite Coast with your dog
Wonderful ! It's just super beautiful. Treguier, Perros-Guirec, Plougrecant… the landscapes of this coast are spectacular and roooose. At sunrise and sunset, the rocks take on a unique pinkish color that is a must see. To discover this coast, park and put on your hiking boots. The spooky shapes of the rocks will appeal to your imagination. Park in Ploubazlanec and take the shuttle to the island of Brehat for a discovery day with your dog. It's a little gem waiting to be discovered. A corner of paradise without a car. And of course, the shuttle is accessible to dogs on a leash and they will even board for free 🙂
And then, hallelujah, it's the Breton department that has the most dog-friendly beaches and I can tell you that in Brittany it's a rare commodity.
Not to be overlooked: Brittany has a large number of nature campsites, which are inexpensive and very pleasant! Perfect for spending a night with some very practical amenities when traveling in a van with your dog: access to a shower, toilets and the small campsite restaurant!
Finistère with its dog: a gem!
And the best for last, I named: Finistère! You can't go any further! You have arrived at the end of the end of the European continent, it is THE place to be! Steep coasts, torn by storms, fine sandy beaches, colors of the sea that have nothing to envy to the paradise islands at the end of the world; except, I grant you, the temperature of the water… It is rare to come across seals in Tahiti, whereas in Finistère, there are a few.
For your roadtrip in a converted van in Brittany with your dog, I recommend: the Crozon Peninsula, Quimper, Concarneau, Douarnenez, the timeless little town of Locronan, cobbles and historic backdrops, the cottage village of Névez, a village of irreducible Gauls 😉 and…. the island of Ouessant, my favorite!!! A wild island battered by the winds that puts you back in your place… I came back from my 3 days on the island with a little more humility. We are not much in front of the sea and the raging wind!
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While writing this article, my mouth was watering… My god, I miss Brittany… A few days ago I interviewed a Wouafer's party in Ardèche with his dog and another part to discover the Dordogne with his dog; they had made me want to discover these corners that I don't know well but there, the call of Brittany is far too strong!
This summer, it will be Breizh party for my dog and me! And why not in a converted van. This is a sweet and original way to spend our holidays together; I just have to contact Delphine from Loutipi to organize this stay. I hope I have made you want to travel in a van with your dog in Brittany…!!!! Happy Breton escape the Wouafer's...