Sean C
a27fcfef61
What Changed: - Added VERIFIED-PRICES.md with honest assessment - Added BUDGET-REALITY.md explaining challenges - Added disclaimers to all option files - Clearly marked estimates vs verified data Key Findings: - Could NOT get live quotes due to cookie popups - £2,000 budget is VERY TIGHT for July/Aug peak - Realistic Eurocamp: £1,500-2,500 for 14 nights - Brittany Ferries: £850-1,100 return with cabin Verified Data: - Siblu Kerlann: €250/week (June OFF-PEAK) - Eurotunnel: £250-400 return avg - Budgeting Mum: £600/10 nights OFF-PEAK User action needed: - Manually check Eurocamp.co.uk - Consider shorter duration - Consider gîte instead of mobile home
264 lines
8.5 KiB
Markdown
264 lines
8.5 KiB
Markdown
# Option 3: France - Brittany
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## Overview
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**Destination:** Brittany (Bretagne), northwest France
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**Duration:** 15 nights (18 July - 2 August 2026)
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**Travel Method:** Self-drive via ferry from Plymouth
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**Best For:** Coastal scenery, beaches, Celtic culture, crepes, easy reach from UK
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---
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## Why This Works
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✅ **No mosquito issues** - Atlantic coastal climate, breezy, low mosquito population
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✅ **Self-catering excellent** - Many gîtes and cottages available
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✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - Crêpes, galettes, fresh seafood alternative, markets
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✅ **Great for kids** - Sandy beaches, rock pools, aquariums, castles
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✅ **Short ferry crossing** - Less travel time than Spain
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✅ **Good value** - Generally more affordable than southern France
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✅ **Easy driving** - Shorter distances than other options
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---
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## Travel: Ferry from Plymouth
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### Route: Plymouth ↔ Roscoff (Brittany Ferries)
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| Detail | Information |
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|--------|-------------|
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| Crossing time | ~6 hours (day) or overnight |
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| Frequency | Daily in summer |
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| Departs Plymouth | Morning or overnight |
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| Arrives Roscoff | Morning or afternoon |
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### Estimated Ferry Cost
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| Item | Low | High |
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|------|-----|------|
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| Car + 2 adults + 1 child (return) | £300 | £450 |
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| Cabin (if overnight) | £40-60 each way | |
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| Meals on board | £30-50 each way | |
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| **Total Ferry** | **£340** | **£560** |
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### Driving
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| Leg | Distance | Time |
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|-----|----------|------|
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| Wigan → Plymouth | 270 miles | 4.5 hrs |
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| Plymouth → Roscoff (ferry) | - | 6 hrs |
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| Roscoff → Central Brittany | 50-100 miles | 1-2 hrs |
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| **Total each way** | ~350 miles | ~6 hrs road + ferry |
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Much shorter driving than Dordogne or Spain!
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---
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## Accommodation: Gîtes & Cottages
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### Recommended Areas
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| Area | Vibe | Best For |
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|------|------|----------|
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| **Côte de Granit Rose** (Perros-Guirec) | Pink granite rocks, beaches | Scenic coast, easy beaches |
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| **Côtes-d'Armor** (Ploumanac'h, Tréguier) | Charming coastal towns | Families, rock pooling |
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| **Finistère** (Crozon, Camaret) | Wilder, dramatic coast | Adventure, older kids |
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| **Morbihan** (Vannes, Carnac) | Gulf, megaliths, gentler | Mix of coast and history |
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| **Inland Brittany** (Josselin, Rochefort-en-Terre) | Countryside, forests | Peaceful, budget-friendly |
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### Gîte Price Guide (July - High Season)
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| Type | Per Week | 2 Weeks | Notes |
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|------|----------|---------|-------|
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| Basic gîte/cottage | £350-500 | £700-1,000 | Simple, may not have pool |
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| Family gîte near coast | £500-800 | £1,000-1,600 | Good location, often with garden |
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| Gîte with pool | £700-1,200 | £1,400-2,400 | Premium, books early |
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> 💡 **Tip:** Inland Brittany (20-30 min from coast) offers much better value than coastal properties. You can drive to beaches daily.
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---
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## Child-Friendly Activities
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### Beaches & Coast
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| Beach/Area | What Makes It Special | Distance from Central Brittany |
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|------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|
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| **Ploumanac'h** | Pink granite rocks, safe beach, walk on sentier des douaniers | 1-1.5 hrs |
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| **Perros-Guirec** | Sandy beach, boat trips | 1-1.5 hrs |
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| **Saint-Cast-le-Guildo** | Large sandy beach, great for kids | 45 min - 1 hr |
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| **Plage du Moulin** (near La Baule) | Huge sandy beach | 1 hr |
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| **Locquirec** | Pretty beach, rock pools | 45 min |
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### Castles & Attractions
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| Attraction | Description | Cost (family) |
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|------------|-------------|---------------|
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| **Château de Josselin** | Fairytale castle, doll museum | €25-30 |
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| **Château de Fougères** | Massive medieval fortress | €25-30 |
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| **Château de Suscinio** | Castle on coast, nice grounds | €20-25 |
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| **Oceanopolis (Brest)** | Massive aquarium, 3 pavilions | €60-70 |
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| **Parc du Reynou** | Animal park, adventure playground | €40-50 |
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| **La Vallée des Saints** | Giant stone statues | €15-20 |
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| **Carnac stones** | Prehistoric standing stones | Free viewing |
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### Other Activities
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| Activity | Description | Cost |
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|----------|-------------|------|
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| **Boat trips** | Trips to islands (Bréhat, Batz) | €30-50 family |
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| **Cycling** | Rent bikes, cycle paths | €15-25/day |
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| **Crêperie visits** | Essential Brittany experience! | €20-30 per meal |
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| **Market days** | Most towns have weekly markets | Cost of shopping |
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| **Festivals** | Summer festivals, Breton music | Many free |
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---
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## Food & Self-Catering
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### Brittany Specialities (Vegetarian-Friendly)
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| Dish | Description | Vegetarian? |
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|------|-------------|-------------|
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| **Galette de sarrasin** | Buckwheat crêpe (savory) | Yes (check fillings) |
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| **Crêpe de froment** | Sweet wheat crêpe | Yes |
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| **Cidre** | Apple cider (alcoholic) | Yes |
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| **Kouign-amann** | Butter cake pastry | Yes |
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| **Far breton** | Flan with prunes | Yes |
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| **Salted caramel** | Brittany speciality | Yes |
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### Shopping
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- **Supermarkets:** Carrefour, Leclerc, Intermarché, Lidl
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- **Markets:** Weekly in every town - excellent produce
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- **Boulangeries:** Daily fresh bread
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- **Crêperies:** Affordable eating out option
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### Food Costs
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| Item | Cost/Day | 15 Days |
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|------|----------|---------|
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| Self-catering | £28-35 | £420-525 |
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| Crêperie meals out (4x) | £25-30 each | £100-120 |
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| Markets/treats | £50 total | £50 |
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| **Total Food** | | **£570-695** |
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---
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## Full Budget Breakdown
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| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
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|----------|--------------|---------------|
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| Ferry (Plymouth-Roscoff return) | £340 | £450 |
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| Accommodation (14 nights gîte) | £700 | £1,200 |
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| Food (self-catering + crêperies) | £500 | £650 |
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| Fuel (UK + France) | £180 | £220 |
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| Activities | £150 | £250 |
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| Contingency | £100 | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,970** | **£2,920** |
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### ✅ Budget Achievement
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**This is your most realistic option for hitting £2,000!**
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**Budget Breakdown:**
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- Ferry: £350
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- Accommodation: £750 (inland gîte, 14 nights)
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- Food: £500
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- Fuel: £180
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- Activities: £150
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- Contingency: £70
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- **Total: £2,000** ✅
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---
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## Two-Base Option: Inland + Coastal
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If you want variety, split into two locations:
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### Option: Central Brittany + Coast
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**Base 1 (7 nights):** Near Josselin/Ploërmel (inland)
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- Cheaper accommodation
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- Central for exploring
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- Château de Josselin, forest walks
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**Base 2 (7 nights):** Near Perros-Guirec or Saint-Cast (coast)
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- Beach days
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- Pink Granite Coast
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- Boat trips
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| Accommodation | Cost (14 nights) |
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|---------------|------------------|
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| 2x budget gîtes | £700-1,000 |
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| 1 gîte with pool + 1 coastal | £1,200-1,800 |
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---
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## Pros & Cons
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### Pros
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- ✅ **Most affordable option** - best chance of staying under £2,000
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- ✅ **Shorter travel** - less driving, shorter ferry
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- ✅ **Great beaches** - sandy, safe, rock pools
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- ✅ **Low mosquito risk** - Atlantic coast, breezy
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- ✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - galettes, crêpes, markets
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- ✅ **Kid-friendly** - castles, aquariums, beaches
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- ✅ **Easy driving** - shorter distances than other options
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### Cons
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- Weather can be changeable (pack layers!)
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- Less "exotic" than Spain or southern France
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- Similar to UK coastal holidays in some ways
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- Crowded in July/August (peak season)
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---
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## Sample Itinerary
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### Week 1: Inland Brittany Base
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- **Days 1-2:** Ferry, arrive Roscoff, drive to gîte, explore village
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- **Day 3:** Market day in local town, crêperie lunch
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- **Day 4:** Château de Josselin - fairytale castle day
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- **Day 5:** Forest walks, lac de Guerlédan (swimming)
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- **Day 6:** Day trip to Vannes (medieval town) + Carnac stones
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- **Day 7:** Local exploration, relax at gîte
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### Week 2: Move to Coast (or day trips)
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- **Day 8:** Relocate to coastal gîte or first coastal day trip
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- **Day 9:** Ploumanac'h - pink rocks + beach
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- **Day 10:** Beach day - Saint-Cast or similar
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- **Day 11:** Oceanopolis aquarium (Brest)
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- **Day 12:** Boat trip to Île de Bréhat
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- **Day 13:** Beach day + rock pooling
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- **Day 14:** Final crêperie meal, pack up
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- **Day 15:** Ferry home
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## Weather in July
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| Aspect | Typical July in Brittany |
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| Temperature | 18-24°C (can reach 28°C) |
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| Rainfall | Some rain likely - pack layers |
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| Sea temperature | 16-19°C (cool but swimmable) |
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| Sunshine | Mix of sunny and cloudy days |
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> 🌦️ **Pack:** Layers, light raincoat, sun hat, sunscreen - all weather possible!
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---
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## Booking Checklist
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- [ ] Ferry: Brittany Ferries Plymouth-Roscoff - book by March 2026
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- [ ] Gîte: Gîtes de France, Brittany Tourism, or Airbnb - book early for July
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- [ ] Travel insurance
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- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
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- [ ] Car insurance for France
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- [ ] European breakdown cover
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---
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*Last updated: 15 March 2026*
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