Between its coastline that stretches for thousands of kilometers, its jagged coasts and its charming little islands scattered on the water, Brittany has no shortage of excursions to offer the traveler in search of discovery! Who says superb natural heritage also says preservation programs. The region of Brittany is thus committed to campaigns to safeguard its heritage and supports the development of sustainable tourism. From Finistère to Morbihan, through Côtes-d'Armor and Ille-et-Villaine, discover in this article how to practice ecotourism in Brittany and leave with several ideas of escapades to discover these exceptional places! As a bonus, we share with you the Ethik'Hotels that you can find on your itinerary: eco-gîte, ecological camping or small hotel by the sea. You will surely find one to your liking for your Breton nights tinged with iodized air.
- The preserved nature, symbol of ecotourism in Brittany
- Soft mobility in the spotlight in Brittany
- On foot
- By bike
- By sailboat
- Ecological accommodations galore
The preserved nature, symbol of ecotourism in Brittany
The region hosts 2 regional nature parks, whose vocation is to protect its most fragile spaces.
- The Gulf of Morbihan Regional Nature Park: located on the south coast of Brittany, the area is protected to preserve the quality of water, an essential element for local animal species and human activities. Between land, ocean, fresh water and salt water, this gulf offers a variety of landscapes very appreciable.
- The Regional Natural Park of Armorique : located in Finistère, this park is mythical and exceptional. Granitic peaks, deep forests and jagged coastline make it a unique place whose fauna and flora deserve to be protected. The islands off the coast (Sein, Molène and Ouessant) are even classified as a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.
Other sites that are not labeled nature parks also benefit from preservation programs. The Conservatoire du Littoral is involved in the preservation of more than a hundred sites in Brittany, such as the Pink Granite Coast on the northern coast.
Soft mobility in the spotlight in Brittany
There is no shortage of alternatives for organizing a car-free stay in Brittany and choosing a gentler and more environmentally friendly form of mobility. Here are a few ideas to inspire you and become a fan of ecotourism in Brittany.
On foot
When you hear Brittany on foot, you certainly think of the customs path, the famous GR34. Following the coast on 2000 km, it allows you to discover all the mythical coasts of Brittany, in particular the Iroise sea with the Crozon peninsula, the Megaliths coast in Morbihan and the Emerald coast.
Here are 3 beautiful sections of this GR to inspire your next walking vacation:
- the bay of Mont Saint Michel (145 km);
- the peninsula of Crozon (120 km);
- the Gulf of Morbihan and its islands (180 km).
By bike
With numerous bicycle routes running the length and breadth of the region, traveling by bicycle in Brittany is within your reach if you wish.
2 Eurovélo already well developed will allow you to discover 2 completely different facets of this region:
- the Vélodyssée from Roscoff to Redon. Following the canal from Nantes to Brest for the most part, you will be able to explore inland Brittany in a pleasantly shaded setting. Don't miss to visit the beautiful towns of the itinerary : Morlaix, Josselin and Redon in particular.
- The Vélomaritime from Roscoff to Mont Saint Michel. On this itinerary, you follow the northern coastline and go from surprises to beautiful discoveries: Pink Granite Coast, Mont Saint Michel Bay, Emerald Coast.
A cycle route that continues along the coast from Roscoff to Saint-Nazaire on the model of the GR34 is under construction. Some sections have already been developed and allow you to discover some of Brittany's treasures by bike. This is notably the case of the Finisterian point around Brest, the Gulf of Morbihan or the southern coast of Finistère from the Pointe du Raz to the Laïta.
By sailboat
Brittany can also be discovered directly from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great solution if you want to discover its numerous islands such as Ouessant, Belle-Île or Groix. Many skippers offer to make you discover the coast with the wind, whether you are an experienced sailor or not. You will find in particular stays to book on the Kazaden website.
What do the Breton islands have in store for you? Discover it through the story of a weekend on the island of Groix.
Discover our file on soft mobility and go on a low-carbon vacation.
Ecological accommodations galore
Finally, with a varied offer of Ethik'Hotels in Brittany, you have several possibilities to discover this beautiful region by choosing accommodations that respect its natural wealth. Here is a small selection classified by region and with some ideas of escapades to plan around.
The Emerald Coast
L’Ethik’Hotels
To discover and explore the Emerald Coast, the Domaine de la Ville Heleuc welcomes you in 2 eco-gîtes for 4 persons perfect for a stay with family or friends.
To discover in the surroundings
- The half-timbered houses of Dinan ;
- The fortified city of Saint-Malo ;
- The superb natural sites of Cape Erquy and Cape Frehel;
- Cancale and the bay of Mont Saint Michel a little further.
The southern coast of Finistère
Les Ethik’Hotels
Dalmore Manor promises you a very comfortable stay in one of its 10 rooms with sea view.
You can also book a stay in the guest house Au 46. To treat your taste buds and to revive you from your day at the seaside, taste the vegan dinner prepared by your host. 3 large rooms are at your disposal in this Ethik'Hotel near Concarneau.
Finally, with well-developed outdoor spaces, Naéco Audierne is more of an eco-village than a hotel. In any case, it is an excellent base for exploring the west coast of Finistère.
Discover our guide for ecological vacations at the sea, to adopt all the good practices during your stay along the Breton coast.
To discover in the surroundings
- The castle of Pont-L'Abbé ;
- La pointe du Raz ;
- The granitic rocks of Goudoul;
- The beautiful port of Sainte-Marine ;
- The beach of La Torche, a mythical surf spot;
- The peninsula of Crozon with the tip of Dinan and the tip of Pen Hir not to be missed a little further north.
The peninsula of Quiberon and the Gulf of Morbihan
Les Ethik’Hotels
Discover CoRide on the Quiberon peninsula. This ecological accommodation is both a surf camp and a family hostel. Night in dormitory, tent or double room: you can choose your level of comfort according to your desires, your budget and the weather!
In the Regional Natural Park of the Gulf of Morbihan, you will also find 2 eco-gîtes: the gîte des Algues, in the immediate vicinity of the GR34 and which can accommodate 4 people, as well as the gîte des Bulles, an apartment located in Vannes.
A little further away, but still in the Morbihan, make a stopover at the Manoir des Éperviers, a small responsible family hotel. It is an ideal stopover for a wellness stay with spa and swimming pool at your disposal. You will be ideally placed to discover Lorient and its surroundings.
To discover in the surroundings
- The bay of Quiberon for water sports;
- The menhirs of Carnac ;
- The natural wealth of the Gulf of Morbihan ;
- The picturesque port of Saint Goustan;
- Saint Cado and the ria of Étel ;
- lthe island of Groix ;
- The roadstead of Lorient.
You now have plenty of ideas to go on an ecotourism trip in Brittany. You can even organize a real trip in this exceptional region! Did you know about these Breton ecotourism alternatives? Tell us in comments!
Article written by Anaïs Maroteaux, SEO web writer
Image rights: Image by Paul Henri Degrande from Pixabay
