Here I present to you my short 4-day tour in the South of Brittany which will allow you to discover numerous castles of character, charming little villages and coastal landscapes and will end with a visit to Nantes, the beautiful capital of Loire Atlantique.
This 4-day itinerary in South Brittany, in Loire Atlantique more precisely, aims to help you discover some of my favorite sites in France. Indeed, the France of the regions is full of magnificent villages or historic castles whose aesthetics and historical value are as important as certain monuments of Paris!
How to visit the South of Brittany in 4 days?
The easiest and most practical will be to do this car tour. Indeed, a road trip in this magnificent region you will avoid the constraints of organized tours where you have to quickly join the bus at such a time ... And what flexibility to be able to leave at the time that suits you, to stop where you want, to eat when and where you want, to arrive at the hotel at any time ...
In addition, this circuit was developed over 4 days but, the advantage of doing it by car is that you can adapt it to your convenience and your pace.
4 days tour in South Brittany - Map of my itinerary
4-day tour in South Brittany - Summary of my itinerary
- DAY 1: From Nantes, road to visit the Château de Clisson and the Château de la Motte-Glain
- DAY 2: Châteaubriant castle, village of Kerhinet
- DAY 3: Salt marshes of Guérande, La Baule les Pins, Château de Careil
- DAY 4: Pornic, return to Nantes and visit of the city
4-day tour in South Brittany - Stages of my itinerary
South Brittany tour in 4 days - Day 1
- Take the road to Clisson which is the most important historical site in the Land of Art and History of the Nantes vineyard. In 45 minutes, you will reach the site of Clisson castle. This castle, built between the 12th and 17th century, consists of a polygonal enclosure surrounded by round towers and fortified walls.
- Then journey of about 1h15 to the village of La Motte-Glain.
- Visit of the Château de la Motte-Glain. It is one of the first Renaissance châteaux in Loire-Atlantique. It was built before the castle of Châteaubriant and Ancenis. The castle is open for visits every day from 14:30 PM til 18PM (except Tuesday).
- Road to the Glain Chapel for installation in guest room.
Where to sleep near the Glain Chapel?
Here is a good address on my itinerary just a few kilometers before the Châteaubriant castle (the next stop on the circuit). The Evening Stage
in Erbray offers guest rooms in a magnificent setting. See more info on Booking
South Brittany tour in 4 days - Day 2
- For this 2rd day, you will drive about thirty minutes to reach the Châteaubriant castle. In the Middle Ages, this castle was a high place of defense of the Breton territory against the Kingdom of France which wanted, at the time, to seize the duchy. Keep, ramparts, lodgings of the medieval court still testify to the power of this fortress and to its past which has marked the history of France.
- Then direction the pretty village of Kerhinet. This ancient village of peasants and weavers. There is a hamlet of about twenty pretty cottages. These are the traditional habitats of the Brière region whose roofs are made of thatch (the reed that was found in the marshes). Be careful, cars are prohibited in the village so plan to park in a car park before entering the village.
- Then direction the Batz sur Mer near Guérande to spend the night there.
Where to sleep near Guérande?
It is in Batz-sur-Mer, with direct access to a magnificent beach that theHotel Le Lichen De La Mer. See more info on Booking
South Brittany tour in 4 days - Day 3
During this third day, my itinerary invites you to discover the salt marshes of Guérande in the morning.
- Early departure to fully enjoy the famous salt marshes of Guérande. You can take a horse-drawn carriage tour. Thus, you will be able to slowly discover the fauna and flora of this natural site.
- Then short trip of 30 minutes to have your lunch on the Croisic peninsula. This old town with half-timbered houses, nestled at the foot of the Notre Dame de Pitié church is pleasant for strolling on the quays and along the port.
- At the beginning of the afternoon, direction the bay of The Baule half an hour away.
- La Baule is best known for its beach and its bay. To relax, you can then take a walk in the picturesque district of La Baule-les-Pins.
- Then, go towards the Careil castle. Note that some visits are by candlelight, or in the form of a game in period costumes.
- Return and overnight at a fabulous location on the Bay of La Baule.
Where to sleep near La Baule?
Here is an unforgettable site that I recommend to you in Pornichet:Hotel of the Château des Tourelles (Thalasso and Spa). See more info on Booking
South Brittany tour in 4 days - Day 4
You will end this 4-day tourist circuit in Loire Atlantique via Pornic and Nantes.
- A journey of approximately 45 minutes will take you to Pornic. You will discover its beautiful cliffs interspersed with numerous coves of golden sand. Head to the Corniche de Noëveillard to take beautiful pictures of the cove of Pornic.
- Then after a 1 hour drive, return to Nantes. To discover the city of Nantes, go directly to castle of the dukes of Brittany which is located in the city center of Nantes in the heart of the medieval old town in the Bouffay district. You can visit the Museum of the city of Nantes which is located at the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Thus, you will immerse yourself in the history of this city and its new projects. After visiting the Castle, go for a walk in this medieval district of Bouffay to discover the typical alleys and half-timbered houses. Don't forget the cathedral Saint-Pierre-and-Saint-Pau small jewel of flamboyant gothic style.
What sleep in Nantes?
Here is the hotel that I recommend to tourists who want a perfect and central location to visit the center of Nantes on foot:
Mercure Nantes Center Passage Pommeraye. See more info on Booking
You are lucky to have more time ...
So why not a
or a Brittany circuit in Bordeaux ?