Fun Days Out... Things to do in Brittany

Prehistoric Brittany

Close to the gites Le Parc Prehistoire at Malansac has to be seen. It's set in twenty acres of wild woodland and as start your walk through the woods you turn a corner and suddenly there's a life-size Brontosaurus in front of you

Watch out for the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex and keep your head down or the giant flying Pterodactyl will get you. See all the dinosaurs in their 'natural' environment. Walk on, passing through time and see our most ancient ancestors emerge and start to evolve. It's all in English as well !

Pipriac Adventures

Situated near Vannes the park offers a great day out for all the family. There are rope bridges high in the trees, an assault course, pony trekking through the forest and abseiling just to name a few of the activities on offer. It's all fully supervised with safety gear

Aquatic Park

Just north of St Peran at Tremein this adventure park is loads of fun. There's the lake with canoes, pedallo's, sailing boats and water skiing. If you prefer to stay on dry land then try the quad bikes, horse riding, the miniature train or just hire a bike. Afterwards why not have a fine traditional Brittany meal in the on site restaurant ?

Quelneuc

Perfect for a whole day of adventures in a safe and secure setting. Why not go abseiling ? Or if you think you're up to it then challenge the assault course. Afterwards cross the road and try your hand at paint-balling

Roc Accro Branch

Go to Le Roc St Andre near Malestroit -just a ten minute hop from the gites-and find out what it's like to be a monkey. Here -with all the safety kit- you'll be off up into the trees on an amazing adventure. Climb up through the branches, crossing ropes, ladders, bridges and pulleys reaching heights of up to eighty feet. The adventure takes about two hours to complete and is quite scary. Our advice is to arrive at 1.30 when they are opening and then you'll have the forest to yourself !

At the end you have to face the Death Slide which is a hundred metre pulley drop down from the treetops back to the safety of terra firma..............see the below video Just click on the triangle in the centre of the box below to play - I nearly fell off shooting it

Les Verticales

Another aerial fun park is Les Escapades Verticales at Saint Vincent sur Oust. This place is great for all the family. After getting all the safety kit on you are up in the trees, climbing the large cliffs, crossing suspended walkways and hurtling along the zip wires. There's four courses three of which are suitable for children of different ages and ability. We recommend going, it's fantastic fun for the whole family

Kingoland

Kingoland is just off the N24 at Locmine This is basically a fun park for the all the family. There's lots of rides and stuff to go on..... from the 'mouse trap' rollercoaster' to the pirates galleon and swing chairs. You pay to enter then everything's free: It's the newest attraction in Brittany

Cobac Activity Park

Close to the magnificent town of Dinard in northern Brittany, Cobac Parc welcomes you to twelve hectares of wooded parkland offering over thirty different activities. There's a wide-range of thing to do for all ages and tastes: quad biking, water slides, swimming pools, bouncy castles, train rides, bucking broncos, go karting and aerial walkways

Parc d'Attractions

The Park of Attractions in Sautron has more than a hundred things to do for children and adults: bouncy castles, abseiling, mini-golf, slides, boats, adult/ children's go-karting, roundabouts and ball parks. The luge is great fun

Armoripark

The only problem here is that there's just too much choice with so much on offer. The small children should try the Jumping House, and all the family will enjoy the pedal-karts, go-kart's and mini-golf. Seven to twelve year-olds will love the Vertigo playground and the luge (summer sledges) which are lots of fun and shouldn't be missed

And that's not all: pedal boats, bumper boats, human table-football, bouncy castles, an aqua centre and even farm animals (donkeys, cows, goats, etc). At the end of the day, the children will be exhausted, but they'll have had a great time

Bouncy castles

This bouncy castle park near Vannes is a great day out. Our kids spend the entire time going from one to another of these huge inflatable's. There's also trampolines and a big adventure assault course in the forest

Just pay seven euros each to get in and stay as long as you like. Best of all parents are allowed on most of the things as well. Don't forget to take swimming costumes as some of the castles have water slides. There's also pony treking and mini golf on-site plus a cafe. We recommend taking a book or a stack of papers and then spending the day taking it easy whilst the children entertain themselves

The Games Centre

I wasn't really sure which section of Things To Do to put this in as it is really a one off. It's not an adventure park but here it is...........at Monteneuf. The first thing to say is that there is NO technology here. This is a centre for 'traditional' games- just two minutes from the gites. All are hand crafted from wood and vary from small board games right up to croquet and giant skittles

It's a really nice place and makes a change from the usual manic adventure parks. You pay a few Euros and can stay all afternoon and evening playing anything from table football to a traditional Brittany horseshoe throwing game. Someone is always on hand to explain the rules if you are get stuck. It's great fun for all ages

Mazes

If you fancy getting lost then take a trip to a maze. There's Le Labyrinthe de Pont Aven, one at St Alban- Le Labyrinthe de Malido and another at St Malo

Go-Karting and Quads

Fancy a bit of fast action ? Then go to the go-kart circuit -La Pyramide at Guillac. Hire all the safety gear, hop on and tear around the course

Micro-lite Glider Trips

If you're really brave and want a great aerial view of Brittany go to the aero club at Loyat and book up for a Microlite flight or glider

Bowling

At nearby Plöermel there's a  ten pin bowling alley, open every afternoon and evening. The don't take reservations so just call in whenever you fancy a game. It's just behind LeClerc supermarket by the Lac au Duc. They speak English as well and shoes etc are all supplied as in the UK

Horse Riding in Brittany

At Trehorenteuc stables you can groom the horses, go into the tack room, saddle up then trek out in the countryside where you are escorted by your own guide, or if you prefer, you can go it alone. Trot, canter or gallop depending on your ability. The horses are as good as gold and they have all sizes for both children and adults. If you'd like to try another place then go to the Pony Club at Lizio where you can ride either horses or ponies

A new horsey place is a stables set in the grounds of a large chateau in Treal - just a few minutes from each gite. Although it's in a magnificent setting it's not posh ! In June each year there's a fete there with dressage, parades and dog agility displays. Bizarrely there's also helicopter rides available and they are not too expensive- a great opportunity to see Brittany from the air

More on the horse front is the 'Man and Horse' chateau in Hennebont. The whole place is devoted to the horse and its relationship with man. The centre is laid out in the grounds of a mid-1600's chateau. There's an exhibition tracing the evolution of the horse and its role throughout history. The stables contain over fifty horses and you can go in and watch the local artisans making and repairing tack and re-shodding the horses

Boat Trips and Hire

Belle Ile en Mer

Take a boat trip to the beautiful island of Belle Ile, just off the Brittany coast at Vannes. The island is stunning and was once the home of the painter Matisse. Best bet is to make a day of it and have lunch there as well. If you fancy it you can go on a coach trip which guides you round the island and shows you all the best bits. The coaches are called Les Cars Bleues and easy to spot. There are also loads of great walks around the island as well with outstanding views

L'Ile aux Moines

Take the short boat trip over to the Ile Aux Moines and spend the day there. Once you've arrived you can rent out another boat and go on a tour of the bay. You can also hire bikes for the day or part day. There's a great choice of restaurants for lunch as well

Sloop Langoustier

You can book a day trip on this sailing boat built in 1931. Go round Brittany's stunning Golfe du Morbihan and learn all about the history of sail and in particular this old sloops' significance during The Resistance's struggle in the Second World War

Bateau Angelus

Visit Locmariaquer and take a trip on the 'Angelus' which has several departures throughout the day. The cruiser tours the Golfe du Morbihan and stops off at several islands along the way. There are a variety of trips on offer from 32-50 km in length. Prices are between twelve and thirty Euros. It's a great experience

Penerf Taxi Boat

This is -unsurprisingly- at Penerf which is just past Damgan. Here you can take a short trip on the taxi boat. Cross the bay for just a few euros. It's so tranquil and you get amazing views around the bay from the boat. Once you get to the other side spend an hour or so strolling around the oyster farms then, when you are ready catch the boat back again

Canoe / Motor Boat Hire

The place for this is Malestroit and the beautiful River Oust. Hire boats by the hour, day or even week. Fancy a different river ? The Villaine at La Gacilly is very scenic. If you don't want to go on a 'full size' river then opt for one of the small tributaries of the Oust -see below photos....... going over the weir is not strictly necessary though unless you're really keen

At La Gacilly hire an electric boat for up to eight people on the river It's a great trip; peaceful and very scenic. Everyone can take turns driving and the kids love it. Even better, it's not pricey

L'Ile Aux Pies

This is a great spot on the river near La Gacilly where there are all sorts of things going on. It's a beautiful location just for a walk or hiring a canoe and taking a punt down the river. It's really unspoilt and always peaceful... plus there's a huge climbing centre on the cliffs and anyone can have a go

Train and tram rides

You can go to Paimpol and take a trip on a genuine steam train. The "Vapeur du Trieux" is hauled by the famous 231 K8 steam locomotive. Manufactured by Henschel and Sons (Germany) in 1912, the locomotive is fourteen meters long and weighs ninety tonnes. It was renovated in 1935 in Marseille, and has borne the name 231 K8 since that time. It was used on the network in Brittany until 1950 when it was transferred to the Boulogne depot. In 1971 it made its final commercial journey after sixty years service and having covered over a million kilometres

Golf and Tennis in Brittany

Golf de Rennes

There are over twenty fully designed courses suitable for all levels across Brittany. Uncrowded greens, inexpensive fees and easy access combine to make the area a natural choice.  The 'Golf de Rennes' course is a subtle mix of tight and generous fairways and because it's generally not too punishing, it undoubtedly appeals to the higher handicapper. Full of charm and well maintained, it is exceptionally popular with holidaymaker's and has a well-deserved reputation as an extremely friendly and welcoming club. The holes are mostly tree-lined and the round comes to a fitting climax with a lovely par five that skirts a lake and requires an approach to a green that is virtually an island. As well as the main course there are two other nines, one of which is a pitch and putt

Golf Lac au Duc

The course at Plöermel is about fifteen minutes drive away, is charged by the day per day and you can play as many rounds as you like. There are nine holes (par 36) over twenty five hectares and also a putting green and a driving range

Additionally there are other courses to try such as Le Chateau de Locguenole at Hennebont, Les Abbatiales at Baden, Le Tronchet near St Malo, Gaea at Lancieux and Golf de Caden (at Caden). There's also an eighteen hole- 6686 yard- course at Carnac

Minigolf

There's an eighteen hole mini course near Guegon and also one at Peillac. Great for aspiring golfers

Crazy golf

There are a few of these, Peillac's the nearest, there's one at Guegon but why not try the one at Damgan ? It's two minutes walk from the beach. At Peillac you can play on the 18 hole course for as long as you like for just one payment. Every time we've been we've been the only ones there. Afterwards cross over the road and take a walk up the canal towpath or go into La Ciboulette with it's terrace overlooking the canal and have a spot of lunch

Tennis

Nip up the road a mile or two from the gite and play on the courts at Monteneuf or Ploermel- they are free as well. Fancy a game at the seaside ? No problem just slip fifty yards off the beach at Damgan and the courts are there waiting for you

Fishing

There are numerous lakes dotted around this area of Brittany, all ideal for fishing. From the lakes in Reminiac and Monteneuf to the huge 'Lac au Duc' in Ploermel. Prefer rivers ? You have the choice of L'Oust or the Nantes/Brest canal at Malestroit, La Villaine at Redon or even the Loire at Nantes. Sea fishing is available by the day at Auray as well

There's plenty of places to buy your rods, tackle and feed -maggots and stuff. You can get it all from the specialist fishing shop in the square at Malestroit. Or perhaps more simply from the local supermarket in Malestroit ...'Super U'

Swimming Pools

There is a whole host of pools. The nearest is five minutes from the gites at Guer. It's a fairly new indoor pool -about 25 metres long- nice and smart and only a few Euros for children to get in. Plöermel pool is larger and about ten minutes drive away

Want a dip in the open air ? Then go to the lido at Serent or even better the one at La Gacilly -see below. It's is a really low cost option for an afternoon out. The outdoor swimming at La Gacilly consists of two large pools and a jacuzzi. There's diving boards and the deep end of one of the pools goes right down to fourteen feet. The other one, is no deeper than four feet so better for non swimmers and small children. It has a large seating area around the pools (both terrace and grass) and they supply sun loungers and park benches for free so if you don't want to go in yourself you can just take it easy, read a book and let the children have all the fun on their own. We recommend taking a picnic. Best of all is the entrance price- 'pennies' for non swimmers and about three Euros for the swimmers. A fun, cheap day out !

If you want a more 'exotic' pool go to one of the large indoor pools at Vannes, Redon, Surzur or Loudeac. These are the full monty, with water slides, wave machines, diving pools, fun pools, etc.... great for a family day out

There's so many more things to do in Brittany that listing them all here would be impossible- just have a look around