Brittany (Breizh) is France's westernmost peninsula — a Celtic heartland thrust into the Atlantic where granite cliffs, prehistoric megaliths, medieval walled cities, and 2,800 kilometres of coastline combine into one of Europe's most distinctive travel destinations.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Océanopolis — Ocean Discovery Park
Three vast pavilions exploring polar, temperate (Breton), and tropical ocean ecosystems. Seven species of sharks, giant turtles, sea otters, seals, and a fish-petting area. The interactive City of Oceannauts zone engages children in marine science. Europe's largest marine science centre. Pre-book online to avoid summer queues.
Duration: 3–5 hours
Price: €14 adults, €9 children 3–13 (~$15.40 / ~$9.90); free under 3 (2025 renovation pricing for accessible pavilions)
Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo
One of France's most complete aquariums with 46 tanks and 2.5 million litres of water. The underwater tunnel walkthrough and the Nautibus 360° submarine simulator are highlights for children. The circular shark tank and tropical reef section are crowd-pleasers. Pre-book online for discounted rates.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: €48 adults, €38 children 4–12 (~$52.80 / ~$41.80); free under 4 (high season, full experience including Nautibus)
Parc de Branféré — Animal and Botanical Park
Spacious animal park in the Morbihan countryside featuring giraffes, lemurs, wallabies, flamingos, spider monkeys, otters, and over 120 species in open-style enclosures. The Parcabout treetop rope-course is included in the same ticket — unusual for a zoo combination. Botanical gardens provide beautiful surroundings. One of the best family days out in Brittany.
Duration: Full day
Price: €29.50 adults, €22 children 3–11 (summer, ~$32.45 / ~$24.20); free under 3. Includes Parcabout adventure treetop course.
Poul-Fetan Living History Village
A lovingly restored 19th-century Breton hamlet in Quistinic near Lorient, populated by costumed actors demonstrating traditional life: spinning wool, churning butter, baking in a wood-fired oven, and tending farm animals. Children join in bread-making and try traditional Breton games. The chestnut forest setting is beautiful. Open April–September; closed October–March.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: €14 adults, €8 children 4–12, family of 4 €37.50 (~$15.40 / ~$8.80 / ~$41.25); free under 4
Château de Josselin and Doll and Toy Museum
One of Brittany's most dramatic châteaux, rising in Gothic splendour above the River Oust. The converted stables house the Doll and Toy Museum with around 600 dolls from the 18th century to the 1960s from the Duchess de Rohan's collection — unmissable for children aged 5–10. Formal French gardens, a rose garden, and a river park complete the visit. The château interior is accessible by guided tour for an additional charge.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: Self-guided visit: €11.50 adults, €5.50 children 7–14 (~$12.65 / ~$6.05); free under 7
Carnac Standing Stones and Maison des Mégalithes
Over 3,000 standing stones in the world's largest megalithic alignment, erected between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago. The free Maison des Mégalithes visitor centre runs interactive exhibits and children's role-play activities based on prehistoric daily life. From April to September, the alignments are accessible only with a licensed guide — guided tours depart regularly from the visitor centre. From October to March, walking among the stones is free. Night illumination shows (Skedanoz) take place in summer.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: Visitor centre: free. Guided tour of the alignments (mandatory April–September): check menhirs-carnac.fr for current rates
Pink Granite Coast — Rock-Pooling and Coastal Walk
The Côte de Granit Rose around Ploumanac'h and Perros-Guirec presents an extraordinary landscape of rose-pink boulders sculpted by erosion into animal-like shapes. The 4 km Sentier des Douaniers coastal path between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac'h is mostly flat and manageable for children from age 4 upwards. At low tide, the rock pools reveal crabs, shrimps, starfish, sea anemones, and periwinkles. Bring a bucket, a net, and a tide table (available free from the Perros-Guirec tourist office, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville).
Duration: Half day to full day
Price: Free
Saint-Malo Ramparts Walk
A 2 km circuit along the 17th-century granite ramparts surrounding the intra-muros (walled city). The walk provides spectacular views over the Manche, the offshore islands (Grand Bé, where Chateaubriand is buried), and the tidal beaches below. Children love the bastions, the lookout towers, and finding the sea-pirate stories (Saint-Malo was home to the famous corsairs — licensed pirates). Cobblestones inside the old town require sturdy footwear; the rampart walk itself is paved.
Duration: 1–2 hours
Price: Free
Surfing Lessons — Côte Sauvage, Quiberon
The Côte Sauvage (Wild Coast) on the western side of the Quiberon peninsula faces the open Atlantic and produces consistent learner-friendly waves. Several surf schools operate on the beaches of Port Bara and Port Rhu in July and August. Wetsuits are provided — Atlantic water is cold (15–17°C) but invigorating. Suitable for teenagers aged 12 and above with basic swimming ability.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: €25–€40 for a 2-hour group lesson including wetsuit and board
Cycling the Canal de Nantes à Brest Towpath
390 km of flat canal towpath running across the heart of Brittany between Nantes and Brest. Family-friendly sections near Josselin and along the Blavet river valley near Pontivy are ideal for day rides: flat, car-free, and punctuated by historic locks, riverside mills, and small villages with crêperies. The towpath between Josselin and Rohan (25 km) is the most scenic short day route.
Duration: Half day to multi-day
Price: €15–€25/day bike hire from cycle shops in Josselin or Pontivy
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Les Ormes Domaine & Resort
Brittany's premier family resort set in a 200-hectare château estate. Accommodation ranges from mobile homes and treehouses to château hotel rooms. Free access to indoor and outdoor pools, a water park, archery, golf, horse riding, zip-lining, and a children's club. Rated among the top family resorts in France. Book well ahead for July–August. Address: Les Ormes, Épiniac, 35120 Dol-de-Bretagne. Website: lesormes.com
Where: Épiniac (near Dol-de-Bretagne)
Camping Château de Galinée
Five-star family campsite in the grounds of a château on the Emerald Coast. Mobile homes and pitches available; heated outdoor pool, playground, mini-golf, and direct beach access within 1 km. Ideal base for Cap Fréhel and the Côte d'Émeraude. Website: camping-galinee.com
Where: Saint-Cast-le-Guildo (Côtes-d'Armor)
Hôtel Le Manoir du Sphinx
Clifftop manor hotel with direct sea views over the Pink Granite Coast. Family rooms available; generous breakfasts; 200 m walk to the Sentier des Douaniers coastal path. Excellent base for rock-pooling with children. Address: 67 Chemin de la Messe, 22700 Perros-Guirec.
Where: Perros-Guirec (Pink Granite Coast)
Hôtel Baie des Anges
Beachfront hotel directly on La Baule's 9 km sandy beach. Family rooms sleep four; children under 12 eat free at breakfast. The beach setting means minimal travel time for families — children walk straight onto the sand. Address: 3 Allée des Cormorans, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac.
Where: La Baule
Camping Les Menhirs
Well-rated family campsite 500 m from Carnac's famous megalith alignments and 2 km from the beach. Heated outdoor pool, playground, mobile homes and static caravans. Ideal for families combining megalith sightseeing with beach time. Address: Allée Saint-Michel, 56340 Carnac. Website: lesmenhirs.com
Where: Carnac
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Ask for the menu enfant at any brasserie — a children's menu (usually €7–€12 for 2–3 courses) is always available even when not displayed on the board
Crêperies are the default family restaurant in Brittany: galettes are filling and cheap (€8–€14), sweet crêpes with salted caramel or Nutella are universally loved, and the atmosphere is always relaxed
Buy Breton salted caramel (caramel au beurre salé) at any market or épicerie — it is one of the great regional products and makes an excellent edible souvenir
At Cancale's Rocher market stalls (open daily in summer), oysters are sold freshly shucked for €1 each — a genuine experience that children aged 8+ often enjoy trying
Cidre doux (sweet cider) is nearly non-alcoholic and is the traditional accompaniment to galettes; it is an authentic and child-appropriate order in any Breton crêperie
Boulangeries open at 7:00–7:30 for croissants (€1.20–€1.50) and pain au chocolat (€1.20–€1.50) — the most affordable and beloved family breakfast in France
Supermarché Leclerc and Intermarché chains have extensive prepared food counters (rôtisserie chicken, quiche lorraine, Breton kouign-amann cake) — ideal for self-catering families on the coast
Galettes au sarrasin (buckwheat crêpes) are naturally gluten-free — important for families with gluten intolerance; always confirm with the crêperie that no wheat flour is added to the batter
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.