Looking for insight into walking in the Brittany region of France … GR34 Coast Path, GR37 Central Brittany, GR 39 Trans Brittany

Songbird,

Amy and I spent about four weeks in early May thru early June 2007 walking in coastal Brittany and a bit of Normandy. We started walking east on the GR 34 at Roscoff and followed that route to Mont Saint-Michel. From there we pieced together a coastal route through Avranches, Granville, Creances, around the NW tip of the Carantan Peninsula to Cherbourg.

We used a combination of stealth camping and a few opportunistic B&B type of lodgings. We never had any issues from anybody about our camping in “unofficial” places. We used standard light-weight backpacking equipment and techniques.

During the time we were there, the area was not very populated as it is primarily used as a summer vacation venue. As such, many public facilities such as stores and so forth were closed for the season. A large proportion of the homes and apartments were also shuttered. However, we managed to find enough to eat without too much trouble except for one night where everything was closed. On the plus side, the coastal trails were peaceful, the roads were mostly empty and there were not tourist hordes cluttering up the place.

Being a French GR, the Brittany Coast trail was generally well marked, easy to follow, and mostly in good condition. The route we pieced together after Mont Saint-Michel was very mixed in terms of ease of use, way-marking, and so forth, but in the end, was not particularly difficult to walk.

Overall, we had a fine time and can recommend the walk. There are portions that follow roads and there is never anything that might be confused with wilderness, but the scenery was lovely, the towns interesting, the people friendly, and the patisseries outstanding. Mont saint-Michel is a major tourist attraction, but well worth the time spent there. We camped on the edge of the tidal mud flats SE of town and enjoyed the evening light show with no tourist distractions.

If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to send us a PM.

James and Amy

> and the patisseries outstanding
You forgot about the French bread and French cheeses!

Cheers

Hi James & Amy!

Thanks so much for chiming in! I have sent you a PM with a couple of questions.

Do you have any of your pictures online anywhere, from this trip?

Best,
Songbird

Roger, I think almost all French food is fabulous, but for me, another reason to choose Brittany is the Galettes! (Buckwheat crepes originated in Brittany.)

You might also look at “rural gites” or small country inns — link HERE or HERE.

Northern French cuisine doesn’t always get as much attention as I think it should…I’m sure you’ll give it all the attention it needs! :^)

Songbird asked if we have pictures.
I don't think we took a camera. Jim thinks we did. In either case, we have no photos to share.