Brittany holiday by bike, France

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Human-powered transport
Cycling is at the heart of this five-day journey across Brittany, from Saint-Malo to Vannes. Travellers cover approximately 190 km by bike, passing through Evran, Saint-Méen-le-Grand, Ploërmel and Questembert. Each stage is completed by bicycle, allowing travellers to discover the region at a slow pace while keeping transport emissions during the itinerary very low.

Reducing transport emissions
The journey has been designed as a continuous point-to-point cycling route, largely following established greenways and cycle paths. No motorised transport is required between the daily stages. Our one-way bike service allows travellers to collect their bicycles near the beginning of the route and finish in Vannes without having to return to the starting point. Travellers are also encouraged to use public transport to reach Saint-Malo and leave Vannes wherever possible.

Responsible accommodation
We favour small-scale, independent and locally operated accommodation along the route wherever possible. Environmental practices are taken into consideration when information is available, including measures to reduce water and energy consumption, limit single-use plastics, recycle waste, reduce unnecessary laundry and use environmentally responsible cleaning products.

Vegetarian and vegan options and local food
Travellers are encouraged to choose vegetarian and plant-based meals and to discover fresh, seasonal products from Brittany. The route passes through small towns, villages and agricultural areas where travellers can support independent restaurants, cafés, markets and regional producers.

Stops such as the historic covered market in Questembert provide opportunities to discover regional products and purchase directly from local businesses.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Low-impact travel on established greenways
Much of the itinerary follows existing greenways and dedicated cycle paths, including former railway lines, allowing travellers to cross Brittany without creating additional pressure on natural environments.

The journey passes through varied landscapes, from the Rance Valley and the countryside around Saint-Méen-le-Grand to the forests surrounding Ploërmel and the changing coastal vegetation approaching the Gulf of Morbihan. Travellers are encouraged to remain on designated routes to minimise disturbance to surrounding habitats.

Raising traveller awareness
Each traveller receives a digital roadbook containing recommendations for reducing their environmental impact throughout the journey. Travellers are encouraged to stay on marked paths, respect natural areas, avoid disturbing or feeding wildlife, keep noise to a minimum and never leave waste behind.

Travellers are also encouraged to use reusable water bottles and bags, sort waste wherever facilities are available and respect the natural and rural environments they pass through.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This journey distributes tourism spending across several smaller Breton towns and rural communities. Overnight stops include Evran, Saint-Méen-le-Grand, Ploërmel and Questembert, before the journey finishes in Vannes.

Wherever possible, we prioritise independent hotels, guesthouses and locally operated accommodation. Travellers are also encouraged to spend locally throughout their journey by visiting independent restaurants, cafés, shops, markets and regional producers.

Travelling by bicycle also encourages stops in smaller communities that could easily be bypassed by faster forms of transport. From cafés and local businesses in rural villages to Questembert's historic covered market, the itinerary provides opportunities for travellers to contribute directly to the local economy and discover Breton culture and regional products.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

We work with local and France-based tourism providers to operate this journey, including accommodation providers and other businesses along the route. Prioritising local services helps retain a greater share of tourism revenue within Brittany and supports regional employment.

We and our operational partners are expected to comply with French employment legislation and applicable working standards, including legal minimum-wage requirements.

The trip is designed to welcome travellers from different backgrounds and with different levels of cycling experience. Much of the journey follows accessible greenways with relatively moderate daily distances, while the availability of conventional bicycles and e-bikes can make the itinerary accessible to a broader range of cyclists.