When is the Best Time to Visit Brittany, France?
As so many have had to cancel their travel plans this year, would-be travelers are looking ahead to 2021 as the year to take their dream vacation. Maybe that is a trip across country or perhaps further afield. It could be a trip that they’ve been organizing for years but put on the back burner due to family or work obligations, finances, or just not being comfortable with planning an itinerary. Regardless of the destination, I love the idea of looking ahead and making a commitment to ourselves to go after our travel goals. With a bit of pre-planning, those dreams can become a reality.
To those readers considering a trip to France – and Brittany in particular – I’d love to help you take the first step in planning your ideal vacation. The first question to ask yourself is, “What time of year would I most want to visit?” We’re all quite accustomed to using calendars and planners, so having an approximate date is the first step to making the idea more “real”. Setting a target date will also give you time to prepare for any work deadlines, organize house and pet sitting, create a vacation savings account, and more.
You may be wondering when is the best time of year to visit Brittany, and my response would be, “Spring, summer, fall, and winter!” Brittany has a temperate oceanic climate, so no matter what time of year, you won’t find the extreme temperature fluctuations that we experience here in the Midwestern United States. This makes Brittany a great travel destination no matter the season. In today’s post, I’ll walk you through some pros and cons of each season and hopefully help you decide what time of year you’d like best to visit. If you are a virtual traveler, come along and let me know in the comments which timeframe appeals most to you.
To help narrow down the options, I would ask what your favorite time of year is in general. Next, think about what you love doing the most (outdoor activities, markets, festivals, etc.) and then simply imagine doing that favorite thing in Brittany. Do you have a picture in your mind? If yes, what are you doing? Are you canoeing down a river or sitting outside on a blanket at an open-air concert? If spending a good chunk of time outdoors is your thing, then summertime is your best bet. Are you someone who likes the cool, crisp air and a trek through the forest? Then fall or early spring is a good bet. Are you more inclined to visit museums and galleries, charming towns and little shops? Then any time of year would be to your liking. If you are someone who loves anything and everything Christmas, you will be enchanted by the markets in France.
Let’s take a little trip to Brittany throughout the seasons …
Spring
Spring might be my favorite time of year to visit Brittany. Then again, late spring/early summer is the time of year that I love the most. Weather-wise, daily highs range from about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) to 18 degrees C (64 degrees F). The average temperature for April is 10.5 degrees C (51 degrees F). Since there are several “micro-climates” within the region, I have included links at the end of this post that give further information about specific cities. General information regarding average temperatures can be found here
The main advantage to traveling in the spring is that there are fewer tourists. We visited Mont St Michel the first week of April, and found it to be almost deserted. While Mont St Michel is technically located in Normandy, just a smidge outside of Brittany, I have included it here because it is really a must-see.
If you’ve ever watched a travel video on this magical island, then you know that to be able to experience it without bumping elbows with people was definitely a treat!
We parked our car in the main lot then took the shuttle to the walkway. (Note: A post on Mont St Michel is coming this summer, so stay tuned!)
We also visited Locronan, Quimper, and Rochefort-en-Terre in early April and, as with Mont St Michel, it was delightful to have the towns almost entirely to ourselves.
Locronan
You can read more about Locronan and Quimper here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-visit-to-locronan-and-quimper-france/
Last March, we visited St Jacut de la Mer with friends. It was a cool spring day that required a warm jacket, but we enjoyed ourselves immensely.
Read more about St Jacut de la Mer here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-day-in-st-jacut-de-la-mer-bretagne-france/
As with anywhere in the world, spring consists of beautiful, sunny, and warm days and plenty of chilly, rainy days too. The best thing to do is dress in layers, pack an umbrella, and enjoy!
As the country takes holiday breaks at different times, the “con” is that not everything is open in early April. For example, when we visited Combourg, we could stroll about the town but the castle was not yet open to the public. By mid to late April though, most sites are open and ready for business.
Some of the major events held in the spring include:
Panoramas Festival in Morlaix in April of 2021. Includes a mix of rock, rap, electro, and more! https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/panoramas-festival/
Fête de la Coquille Saint‑Jacques (Scallop Festival) in April, 2021. Held in Erquy, Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Paimpol. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/fete-de-la-coquille-saint-jacques-scallop-festival/
International Cheese and Wine Fair in Coulommiers https://www.france-voyage.com/events/international-cheese-wine-fair-56.htm
Etonnants Voyageurs (Amazing Travelers) in Saint-Malo, May, 2021. “Year in, year out, the corsairs’ home port is transformed into a literary fortress, and long may it be so! It is a fabulous Tower of Babel, where book-lovers from all over the world can meet their favorite writers.” Find out more here: https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/etonnants-voyageurs-amazing-travellers/
Gulf Week in the Morbihan, May 10th through 16th, 2021. More than a thousand boats gather in this magnificent bay. More info here: https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/gulf-week/
Festival of Brittany, May 12th to 24th, 2021. A variety of concerts, exhibitions and markets celebrating Breton tradition and folklore. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/festival-of-brittany/
Summer
The weather in Brittany during the months of June, July, and August is generally mild compared to much of the country. There are days when it is quite warm, but luckily there are many beautiful beaches and shaded forests to visit to keep cool. Early June is a perfect time to visit as tourist season is not fully underway. Once mid-July hits, the weather is warmer and beaches become packed, with weekends being far more crowded than weekdays. Generally speaking, summer temperatures range from low 50’s to mid-70’s during the summer months, with a few days of higher temperatures mixed in.
I absolutely loved Binic, with its beautiful beaches and stunning green-blue water. The waters tend to be quite chilly in Brittany, but well worth a dip.
And what would summer in Brittany be without a trip to Dinard. Dinard epitomizes the best of what summertime brings – families relaxing on the beach, children (and adults) building castles in the sand, sun worshipers taking a break from bronzing to spend a few minutes swimming in the sea.
Whether you a beach person or someone who likes to walk about, Dinard has something to offer everyone. One of my favorite things to do in Dinard is to take a long walk along the Promenade du Clair de Lune, a walkway that offers superb views of the breathtaking coastline.
Read more about Dinard here: https://talesfrombrittany.com/a-day-in-dinard-bretagne/
If you enjoy a liesurely boat ride, then head to the Port de Dinan where you can board the Jaman V and take a one-hour cruise on the Rance, to the charming town of Lehon and back. Or, for a longer adventure, you can board the Corsaire and head to Dinard or St. Malo.
If you would like to experience some cultural events, there are a variety of performances throughout the summer months.
Some of the major festivals held in summer include:
Astropolis Festival, July, 2021 in Brest. For anyone who loves techno music, this is for you https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/astropolis/
Vannes Historical Festival, July 13th and 14th, 2021. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/vannes-historical-festival/
Fête des Ramparts (Ramparts Festival) in Dinan July 24th and 25th, 2021. This bi-annual festival includes a huge medieval market and events that will transport you back a few centuries. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/fete-des-remparts-ramparts-festival/
Sound and light show at Bon-Repos Abbey in Saint-Gelven July 28, 30, 31st and August 4, 6, and 7th. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/sound-and-light-shows-at-bon-repos-abbey/
Festival Interceltique de Lorient August 2021. Over 700,000 people enjoy this Celtic music festival held every year. https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/festival-interceltique-de-lorient/
Maritime Festival in Douarnenez (dates TBD) https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/temps-fete-festival/
Fall
September is a perfect month to visit Brittany. Much like late spring and early summer, the weather is mild. French families head back from their summer holiday the beginning of September, leaving port-side towns vacant except for the tourists. Most cultural attractions, boat cruises, etc. run through the first week of October. Daily high temperatures range from about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) to 20 degrees C (68 degrees F) and evenings can feel quite chilly.
My work schedule changed last year so we had to push our early fall trip to mid-November. The weather was cloudy and brisk but we still enjoyed ourselves immensely. We stayed in Dinan for the most part, but also spent time in St Malo and then took a road trip to Honfleur in Normandy. I had been to Brittany in late December/early January, so to see it in at this time of year was a real treat, particularly because my Dad was visiting Brittany for the first time and late fall is his favorite time of year. If you love autumn, and you don’t mind rain, this may be the option for you. I would recommend early fall as November is the rainiest month in Brittany.
Some of the major events held in fall include:
Dinard Film Festival October 9 and 10 2020 (2021 dates TBD) https://www.brittany-tourism.com/great-events/FMABRE035V50WJAY/detail/dinard/dinard-film-festival
Music Festival in Lanvellec October (2021 dates TBD) https://www.gowherewhen.com/event/autumn-festival-of-lanvellec
Yaouank Music Festival November 6 – 21, 2020 (2021 dates TBD) in Rennes https://www.brittany-tourism.com/great-events/FMABRE000V5001UP/detail/rennes/yaouank
Winter
Temperatures in the winter range from high 30’s to low 50’s F (between about 4 and 10 degrees Celsius). December has the highest average number of rainy days with November being a close second. During that time, one can expect rain on about 13 days of 31 according to https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainy-days,rennes,France. If/when it does snow in northern Brittany, it does not usually last more than a few hours. Compared to temperatures in Michigan during the winter months, Brittany is very mild, though I will say the evenings felt quite damp and chilly.
I spent the holidays in Brittany two years ago, arriving the day after Christmas. I loved seeing Paris and Dinan decorated for the holidays, the little shops with their displays, and children putting letters in makeshift mailboxes for Pere Noel. Visiting the Christmas markets was a delight as well, seeing people chatting with friends and loved ones over a cup of mulled wine.
A “con” to visiting this time of year would be that some restaurants and shops close for a good chunk of the winter. For example, I was surprised to find that the local boulangerie was closed for the entire month of December, making it a good 20-minute trek to find one that was open. This is a small price to pay, however, when that 20-minute walk is in a gorgeous medieval town and I would have spent that time walking about anyway. It was a good reminder also that the French truly understand – and practice – a healthy work/life balance.
Some of the major events in Brittany during winter include:
Christmas Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Sale December 10 to 13 in Rennes https://www.brittany-tourism.com/great-events/FMABRE035FS0021J/detail/rennes/les-arts-du-feu-de-rennes-arts-and-crafts-exhibition-and-sale
Festival Le Cornouaille/Breton culture festival in Quimper (dates TBD) https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/culture-and-heritage/brittanys-main-events/festival-le-cornouaille/
Christmas lights in Locronan https://www.camping-bretagne-atlantique.com/en/actus-blog/1296-illuminations-brittany.html
So, when is the perfect time to visit Brittany? It really depends on your interests, comfort level with the elements, and what activities you most want to participate in. Cost may also be a consideration. While summer is best for long walks along the beach and a good dip in the ocean, the beaches will be crowded and prices will be higher in July and August. Better to travel in June or September when the weather is still warm and sunny, prices will be lower and with fewer crowds.
No matter which season you choose to visit, I would recommend dressing in layers and always have a packable rain jacket or umbrella with you, and wear shoes that can get wet and that have good traction.
As mentioned, there is not a terribly grand fluctuation in temperature throughout the year, but be prepared for the exception to the rule. Last year, there were days in which the temperature was above 35 degrees Celsius (95 F) but it lasted less than a week. If you don’t mind the rain, October through January is a good time to visit. The summer months have the fewest rainy days, with August being the least rainy. If you like sun and heat, then June or July is probably your month to visit. It has the highest temperature. June has the most sunshine and July has the highest temperatures. https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,rennes,France
Weather and climate in other areas of Brittany:
Brest https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,brest-fr,France
Rennes https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,rennes,France
Tregastel https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,tregastel-brittany-fr,France Other informational weather sites: http://www.climateandweather.com/weather-in-brittany
So now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of Brittany in each of the seasons, what time of year would you most like to visit? Please share in the comments below. Are you thinking of traveling in 2021? If so, please share where you’re headed!
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post and to share with friends and family. Take good care!
Amy Gruber, from Tales from Brittany
7 Comments
Barbara J Gruber
One of the best articles yet! Love, love the pictures –
Amy G.
I’m so glad that you liked it!
ISABELLE GAUTHIER
j’adore la Bretagne ….. hummmm…….. tout le temps !!!!!!
Amy G.
🙂 Moi aussi!!!!!!!
Rob Bowers
Fantastic article! Your commentary, photos and links are wonderful! Breizh atao!
Amy G.
Thank you, Rob! We’ve got to keep on moving towards the dream, right? Hope you and yours are well. 🙂