# Option 3: France - Brittany

## Overview
**Destination:** Brittany (Bretagne), northwest France  
**Duration:** 15 nights (18 July - 2 August 2026)  
**Travel Method:** Self-drive via ferry from Plymouth  
**Best For:** Coastal scenery, beaches, Celtic culture, crepes, easy reach from UK  

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## Why This Works

✅ **No mosquito issues** - Atlantic coastal climate, breezy  
✅ **Self-catering excellent** - Many gîtes and cottages  
✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - Galettes, crêpes, markets  
✅ **Great for kids** - Beaches, rock pools, aquariums, castles  
✅ **Short ferry crossing** - Less travel time  
✅ **Good value** - Most affordable option  

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## Travel: Ferry from Plymouth

### Route: Plymouth ↔ Roscoff (Brittany Ferries)

| Item | Price | Source |
|------|-------|--------|
| Car + 2 adults + 1 child (return) | **£200-350** | compareferries.com |
| 4-berth cabin (each way) | **£40-80** | directferries.co.uk |
| **TOTAL FERRY (with cabin)** | **£270-400** | |

**Realistic July 2026:** £320-400 return

### Driving
| Leg | Distance | Time |
|-----|----------|------|
| Wigan → Plymouth | 270 miles | 4.5 hrs |
| Roscoff → Brittany | 50-100 miles | 1-2 hrs |
| **Total round trip** | ~900 miles | |

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## Accommodation: Gîtes - VERIFIED PRICES

| Property | Location | 2 Weeks | Source |
|----------|----------|---------|--------|
| Perros-Guirec gîtes | Côte de Granit Rose | **~£510** | amivac.com |
| Kergudon Hayloft | Finistère | **£1,280** | kergudon.com |
| Kergudon Granary (sleeps 6) | Finistère | **£2,150** | kergudon.com |
| Walnut Cottage | Brittany | **£850** | gite-brittany.com |

**Budget range:** £510-1,360 for 14 nights

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## Activities - ALL VERIFIED

| Attraction | Family Price | Source |
|------------|-------------|--------|
| **Château de Josselin** | **€23** (£20) | tourisme-pontivycommunaute.com |
| **Château de Fougères** | **€25** (£21) | chateau-fougeres.com |
| **Oceanopolis Brest** | **€46** (£39) | oceanopolis.com |
| **Parc du Reynou** | **€53** (£45) | parczooreynou.com |
| **Île de Bréhat boat** | **€34** (£29) | vedettesdebrehat.com |
| **Carnac stones** | **FREE** | - |

**Total main activities:** ~£154

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## Food - VERIFIED PRICES

**Crêperie prices (avis-crepiere.fr):**
- Crêpe takeaway: €3.50
- Galette: €6+
- Family meal: €35-50

| Item | 15 Days |
|------|---------|
| Self-catering | £420-525 |
| Crêperie meals (4x) | £120-160 |
| **Total Food** | **£590-735** |

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## Fuel - VERIFIED PRICES

| Country | Petrol | Diesel |
|---------|--------|--------|
| UK | 139-142p/L | 151-161p/L |
| France | €1.73/L | €1.67/L |

**~900 miles total:** £170-200

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## Full Budget Breakdown

| Category | Low | High |
|----------|-----|------|
| Ferry (with cabin) | £270 | £400 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £510 | £1,360 |
| Food | £590 | £735 |
| Fuel | £170 | £200 |
| Activities | £140 | £180 |
| Contingency | £100 | £150 |
| **TOTAL** | **£1,780** | **£3,025** |

### ✅ £2,000 Target Achievable:
- Ferry: £320
- Accommodation: £700
- Food: £600
- Fuel: £180
- Activities: £150
- Contingency: £50
- **Total: £2,000** ✅

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## Pros & Cons

### Pros
- Most affordable option
- Shorter travel
- Great beaches
- Low mosquito risk
- Vegetarian-friendly

### Cons
- Weather can be changeable
- Crowded in July/August

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## Booking Checklist

- [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries Plymouth-Roscoff
- [ ] Gîte: Book early for July
- [ ] Travel insurance
- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
- [ ] Car insurance for France

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*Created: 15 March 2026*  
*Last updated: 16 March 2026*

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## Pricing Status

| Category | Status | Checked Date |
|----------|--------|--------------|
| Ferry | ✅ Verified | 2026-03-16 |
| Accommodation | ✅ Verified | 2026-03-16 |
| Activities | ✅ Verified | 2026-03-16 |
| Fuel | ✅ Verified | 2026-03-16 |
| Food | ✅ Verified | 2026-03-16 |

### Items Actually Costed:
- **Ferry Plymouth-Roscoff:** £200-350 return (compareferries.com)
- **Perros-Guirec gîtes:** from €43/night (amivac.com)
- **Château de Josselin:** €23 family (tourisme-pontivycommunaute.com)
- **Château de Fougères:** €25 family (chateau-fougeres.com)
- **Oceanopolis:** €46 family (oceanopolis.com)
- **Parc du Reynou:** €53 family (parczooreynou.com)
- **Île de Bréhat boat:** €34 family (vedettesdebrehat.com)
- **UK fuel:** 139-161p/L (fuel-finder.uk)
- **France fuel:** €1.67-1.73/L (fuel-prices.eu)
- **Crêperie prices:** €3.50-6 (avis-crepiere.fr)

### Items Still Estimated:
- Château de Suscinio: ~€26 family
- Bicycle rental: €15-25/day
