5-minute drive

Find a friendly atmosphere and a reassuringly traditional French menu at this homely restaurant. Dishes are cooked from scratch, the menu changes monthly and uses as much local produce as possible – the perfect egg with creamy mushrooms, tournedos Rossini, fish and seafood platters, homemade ice creams and delicious puddings. A fine wine list too.

5-minute drive

With two Michelin stars, this family affair, created in 1870 is now at the top of its game. The chef is a master of ‘terre et mer’ cuisine and he works with a handful of small-scale local producers. Try pomme soufflée stuffed with oyster jus; langoustine and pig’s trotter; blue lobster with asparagus and kari Gosse – a mix of Breton spices. Absolutely delicious.

20-minute drive 

Open all day

Locronan is a charming medieval village in deepest Brittany, just aching to be explored. When you find you’re hungry head for this lovely old stone house and the tastiest selection of crêpes you could possibly wish for. Even better add a bolée of cider – brut not sweetened – and you’ll remember the experience forever.

10-minute drive

Enjoy a cobweb-blowing half hour walk on the Menez-Hom – the most westerly and majestic hill in the Montagnes Noires. From its rounded heights enjoy 360º views across the county’s western parts and the ocean beyond. It’s thought Celts worshipped their sun god here, while a mother goddess was honoured at a spring on the hillside. Mysterious traces of stone walls have been found around the top of the Menez-Hom, but no one is quite sure from when they date.

30-minute drive

An attractive town on the coast with no fewer than four harbours. Soak up the unique atmosphere of its bustling quaysides and its narrow streets with their craft workshops and fishermen’s cottages. Then fill your lungs with sea air and enjoy the walk to Plomarch. There’s a gorgeous bay, lovely beaches a stone’s throw away and the Isle of Tristan which you can reach via a walkway at low tide, or by boat.

30-minute drive

Camaret, on the western tip of the peninsula, is a traditional port where you can walk along the bustling quays lined with brightly-painted houses. Press on to discover the Vauban tower, the Cap de la Chèvre, plunging cliffs and views across Douarnenez Bay and the Morgat cove. A wonderful walk (fabulous very early in the morning) through heather, moorland and maritime pines with the fresh salty tang of sea spray.

20-minute drive

A superb living museum celebrating the ancient trades of this region, including basket-weaving, embroidery, wood and metal work and many others. The museum uses a team of volunteers to take you back in time and bring to life the activities of the past through their demonstrations.

5-minute drive

In the 50s, a group of friends organised a party on a mountaintop. While the event has moved to the flatter parts of the town of Plomodiern, it’s still a pleasantly mad affair, with a parade, exhibitions and concerts taking place over the first two weeks of August. Traditional dancing and food fill the town with scents and sights – it’s not to be missed and if you can find time during your visit for it, you should! 

5-minute drive

An organic artisan bakery offering a dazzling display of old-fashioned breads (with seasonal specials like pesto bread), kneaded by hand and baked in a wood-fired oven. You’ll find local specialities like Breton Pucks and pancakes, brioche, biscuits and pretty cakes. Impossible not to go a bit over the top.

5-minute drive

Weds, Fri, Sat: 09:00 – 12:30 (in winter and also on Tuesday in summer)

Serving the freshest fish and seafood this wonderful poissonerie has been in the family for generations. Current custodians Stéphane et Marie offer you the best of the catch of the day and if you want a fabulous plateau de fruits de mer during your stay then just say the word.

5-minute drive

Mon – Sat: 09:00 – 19:15
Sun: 09:00 – 12:15

They’ve got the lot here, so it’s just the ticket for things you can’t find in local shops or at the markets. Good for stocking up on basics and store ingredients but they do have a butcher, fish counter and fresh fruit and vegetables. Marvellous for that forgotten pint of milk.

5-minute drive

Fri: AM – 13:00

Fresh fruit and vegetables, roast chicken, local produce, exotic dishes, handicrafts, clothes and accessories… In summer, up to 30 traders come to sell their wares at the traditional weekly market in Plomodiern. And all year round, a dozen local producers offer their produce.

5-minute drive

Monday evenings in July and August from 18:00

Every Monday evening in summer, the village comes alive with a festive and friendly atmosphere: craftsmen surround the church square, where an initiation to Breton dancing takes place from 8.30pm. Musicians kick off with their instruments and red-faced visitors can try joining in – rather tricky timing and there’s definitely a Celtic feel to it but with fewer whoops and whirls. When you’ve given up trying you can eat some crêpes and have a beer.

Plomodiern sits in the heart of the Pays Glazick where there are several fine sandy beaches for swimming, sunbathing and picnics – Cornwall as it used to be and all you’ll hear are the gulls and the birds. The yacht club offers kayaking, surfing and sand yachting. It’s a paradise for lovers of the water, even surfing is possible when the waves are playing.

One of the best things about being in quiet countryside is allowing children to enjoy nature unhindered by roaring traffic. Bring a bird book out with your children and see how many different birds you can spot. It may seem a bit boring at first, particularly for very small children, but once they’ve seen one or two they get more excited. There are lots of bees and butterflies in summer too – see how many different types you can find.

20-minute drive

Founded in the 5th century by St Guénolé and rebuilt several times, the abbey disappeared during the French Revolution and was reborn in the 1950s, close to its original birthplace. The museum retraces 1500 years of Breton history and 25 years of archaeological excavations. The ruins and simple garden are set in a remarkable maritime site and there are exhibitions, tours, children’s activities and concerts throughout the year.

20-minute drive

The museum takes you on a journey back in time. Their team of volunteer animators bring to life the trades and activities of yesteryear through demonstrations that recreate the rural life of the region.