Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Big Short Break in Northern Brittany Sailing Trips, Shoreline Strolls & Seafood Suppers
France – Brittany – Trebeurden – Saint-Malo
Your journey kicks off in Trebeurden, where it’s time to don your seafaring caps and climb aboard a traditional sailing boat to cruise around the Seven Islands and the Pink Granite Coast. Along the way, your private skipper will even let you in on a little nautical know-how, before dropping anchor for a well-earned aperitif (like a true sailor).
Next, take to the roads and head east towards Saint-Malo, Brittany’s iconic fortified port city. Here, join a local guide for a stroll along its legendary ramparts and through cobbled lanes, uncovering the stories of pirates, merchants and epic voyages that have shaped this coastal stronghold.
Consider yourself a seafood fiend? You’re in for a real treat in Saint-Malo. From oysters and mussels to clams and succulent scallops, there’s no shortage of ocean-fresh delicacies to sink your teeth into. Better yet, we’ll secure you a table at one of the city’s most beloved restaurants – so you can round off your trip suitably wined and dined.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Bon voyage – your escape to France begins today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and settle into the lounge for some drinks and nibbles before boarding. It’s a one-and-a-half-hour flight to Rennes; plenty of time to master a few French phrases or make a solid dent in your holiday read.
When you touch down, pick up your hire car and hit the road for the two-hour drive to Trebeurden, a charming seaside town located on the Pink Granite Coast. Here, check in to your cosy cottage, which will be your base for the next two nights.
The rest of the afternoon is all yours. Perhaps make a beeline for the beach, search for crabs in the rock pools or simply settle into a waterfront café and watch the waves roll in.
Fresh seafood is a rite of passage when you’re this close to the coast. Ask our local Concierge which spot serves up the freshest oysters, mussels and scallops, then head straight there.
Rise and shine early this morning – you’ve got quite the adventure ahead.
It’s all aboard a traditional sailing boat, where your private skipper will chart a course around the Seven Islands. Find your favourite spot on deck as you cruise along the Pink Granite Coast, keeping score of all the weird and wonderful copper-tinged rock formations you spot along the way.
Fancy expanding your sailing repertoire? Learn all about the seafaring way of life from your skipper and even pick up a few classic boating manoeuvres.
With this newfound nautical prowess under your belt, point the bow towards Rouzic Island. Here, turn all eyes to the skies as thousands of gannets soar overhead, before casting your attention to the seals basking lazily on the rocks. Then, drop anchor once more for an aperitif before drifting back to Trebeurden.
Finish the day salt-speckled and ruddy-cheeked with another seafood dinner on the beach, glass of Muscadet in hand, watching the sky glow golden over the ocean.
Set your sights on Saint-Malo this morning and buckle in for the easy, breezy two-hour drive east. Roll the windows down, tune in to our destination-specific playlist and let the singalong commence...
When you arrive, check into your charming guesthouse – your home away from home for the next two nights. Then, d rop your bags and stretch your legs with a wander around the fortified peninsula of Alet, where the remains of the ancient Gallo-Roman settlement overlook the glittering Rance estuary.
Travelling with any history buffs? Explore the coastal defences designed by engineer Vauban; marvel at the Solidor Tower, once a mighty defensive stronghold; and pause at the Memorial 39-45, where former wartime bunkers tell the story of the city’s resilience.
You may also spot some locals returning home, still sporting their wellies, carrying heavy-laden buckets of freshly gathered clams. And if that’s inspired your dinner plans, find a table at a nearby seafood restaurant and discover why they’re one of Saint-Malo's most beloved specialties.
Another day, another adventure. This morning, lace up your best walking shoes and set off with a local guide to explore Saint-Malo.
The city’s maritime history may have been as stormy as the waves beyond its walls, but its seafaring spirit is still going strong, from fishermen venturing out before dawn in search of the day’s catch, to adrenaline-fuelled regattas racing across the bay.
As your guide shares tales of daring voyages and notorious pirates, wander along the ramparts, where sweeping views stretch towards the Channel Islands, before weaving through cobbled lanes lined with old sailors’ houses and craftsmen's workshops. Then it’s on to Place Chateaubriand, the city’s lively main square. Don your sunglasses, sip on a crisp glass of Breton cider and settle in for some quality people-watching.
Feeling hungry after all that exploring? You’re in for a real treat. We’ve secured you a table at our favourite local restaurant, where seafood reigns supreme. Time to tuck in.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your French foray has come to an end.
After one last quintessentially French breakfast (we're talking buttery croissants and a velvety cafe au lait), it’s time to gear up for the one-hour drive back to Rennes Airport. Here, return your trusty hire car, squeeze a few boxes of Breton shortbread into your suitcase and check in for your flight home.
You’ll spend around one hour in the air – enough time to flick through your holiday photos, relive the highlights and start dreaming up your next getaway.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
ALL ABOARD A FISHING BOAT IN SAINT-MALO
Fancy seeing Saint-Malo from a different perspective? Climb aboard an authentic fishing boat as your private skipper casts off from Alet and sets a course along the shimmering Emerald Coast. With the sea breeze in your hair, cruise past the elegant waterfront villas of Dinard, the towering forts of Petit Be and Grand Be, and even Europe’s first tidal power station on the Rance. Along the way, your skipper will give you the lowdown on life at sea, as you tuck into a few traditional Breton snacks on board. Then, as you glide back towards Saint-Malo and its imposing city walls reappear on the horizon, think back to the days of corsairs (state-sanctioned seafarers who were given the royal seal of approval to seize enemy ships), who once sailed from these very shores.
Why visit France with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to France
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
