Ah, Brittany! With its charming villages, beaches and rich cultural heritage, it’s a perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. It’s also a region where you can often escape the high temperatures, in short: the French region of Brittany has nothing but advantages !
Did you know it’s possible to visit Brittany without a car ? you can travel from town to town by train, with unlimited travel, for up to 5 people and with just one ticket!
So what’s the best way to discover Brittany by train? Which route should you take? And what are the cultural places to visit in Brittany? Find the answers in this practical guide!
This article was produced in collaboration with TER BreizhGo. However, I reserve the right to make my own comments, so the opinions expressed in this article are entirely sincere.
Travelling by train in Brittany, what itinerary ?
Environmentally-friendly and comfortable, the train is a fantastic way to travel. It’s also a great way to rest between stops or enjoy the scenery!
In Brittany, the TER network is vast, taking you to over 120 destinations, from the best-known towns (Rennes, Brest, Quimper, Lorient, Saint-Malo…) to the most secret :
The TER BreizhGo Pass: the best way to discover Brittany by train
For unlimited, low-cost travel throughout Brittany, the TER BreizhGo Pass is the magic tool to have in your pocket to help you organise your journey !
Valid for 2 or 7 days, it allows you to travel as much as you like on the entire TER network in Brittany without having to book the trains you are going to take.
Up to 5 people can travel with a single Pass, so you can travel with your family, your friends or even the friends you make during your journey! In short, it’s a fantastic tool for giving you the freedom to travel as you please across the entire network.
How much does it cost?
The 2-day pass costs €55 and the 7-day pass €110.
Where to buy it ?
Online: you can buy the PASS TER BreizhGo on the TER BreizhGo website :
In stations: it is also possible to buy it directly in Brittany’s stations from TER BreizhGo kiosks.
A few tips for travelling by train
Travelling by train is practical, relaxing and environmentally friendly, but you don’t travel by train like you do by car and it’s best to adapt your itinerary to suit your character :
You are a light traveller
You know how to get around with just a few things in rucksack mode, so you can plan an itinerary that will take you from city to city with several stops a day.
You tend to take your home with you
Your bags and suitcases are likely to get in the way during your visits, so plan to spend at least one night in each city you visit so that you can leave your luggage at the hotel.
The other option is to stay in the same town for the whole of your stay (such as Rennes, Landerneau, Guingamp, Auray or Lorient) and go back and forth every day.
Discover North Brittany: a cultural break in 5 stages
If you want to explore northern Brittany, here are some ideas for a cultural break starting and finishing in Rennes :
Rennes, the capital of Brittany
Brittany’s prefecture is the starting point for this itinerary. This dynamic city is also a cultural hotspot with numerous museums, street art and an architectural mix that ranges from timber-framed houses to modern buildings signed by big names like Georges Maillols.
The must-see visit in Rennes
Head for the Couvent des Jacobins. Right in the city centre, this former religious building comprising a cloister, a church and conventual buildings regularly hosts exhibitions.
Until 14 September 2025, you can see ” Les yeux dans les yeux ” which brings together 90 works from the Pinault Collection with, as their common point, the representation of the human figure. By positioning ourselves in front of these portraits of anonymous people and celebrities, this exhibition questions our relationship to ourselves and to others.
20 place Sainte-Anne, Rennes
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm, Wednesdays until 10pm
€12, free for under-26s.
Some good addresses in Rennes
- Crêperies: Breizh Café, a crêperie in bistronomic mode, La Saint-Georges for well-stuffed and original crêpes
Dol-de-Bretagne, a typical Brittany town
With its stone and timber-framed houses, Dol-de-Bretagne is a town with no shortage of charm. It’s a perfect stopover for a restful night.
The must-see visit to Dol-de-Bretagne
Dol-de-Bretagne Cathedral is one of the seven cathedrals on the Tro Breiz, the ” tour de Bretagne “, a Catholic pilgrimage linking the towns of the seven founding saints of Brittany.
It was built in 1203 by King John of England, who feared for his soul after setting fire to the previous cathedral. However, due to a lack of funds, it was never completed, which explains the appearance of the north tower, which is much lower than the south tower.
Saint-Malo, the corsair town
Renowned for its impressive ramparts and stories of privateers, the town of Saint-Malo makes for some lovely seaside walks. The old town, with its cobbled streets and shops, is very pleasant to discover, but it’s above all the tour of the ramparts that’s great to do.
Some good addresses in Saint-Malo
- Hotel : Ibis Saint-Malo Plage, a 10-minute walk from the old town and located facing the sea
- Crêperie – salon de thé : Bergamote
- Restaurant : 1934, good value for money
Dinan, the fortified town
Perched above the Rance valley, Dinan is famous for its ramparts, half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. Leaving the heart of the fortified town, you can discover a charming harbour below, inviting you to take a stroll along the river.
A must-see visit to Dinan
Push open the door of the Musée Yvonne Jean-Haffen. Housed in the artist’s home and awarded the ” Maison des Illustres ” label, it pays tribute to Yvonne Jean Haffen (1895-1993), an artist who was little known to the general public but who had a great deal of talent. A painter, draughtswoman, engraver and ceramist, she took a keen interest in Breton culture. She was also a close friend and collaborator of Mathurin Méheut, with whom she worked on a number of ocean liner decorations. A visit to the museum allows you to discover her works as well as her studio.
103 Rue du Quai, Dinan
Every day except Monday, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
€6, €3.5 for under-18s and students
I also encourage you to visit le château de Dinan to understand the history of this stronghold and enjoy a beautiful view of the town and the region.
Rue du château, Dinan
Times vary depending on the season, consult the château website
€8, €5 for under-18s and students, free for under-6s
https://www.chateaudedinan.fr/
Some good addresses in Dinan
- Ice Cream: Moustache, artisanal ice creams with unexpected flavours such as Petit Beurre, Basilic, Kiwi…
- Restaurant: le Plan B, burger restaurant with a Breton twist. The team is young and pleasant and the setting warm.
Lamballe, bucolic town
The birthplace of Mathurin Méheut, Lamballe is a pleasant town with its timber-framed houses, its impressive collegiate church dominating the town and its famous national stud farm. You’ll also find a pretty park that lends itself perfectly to a short stroll or a bucolic picnic.
The must-see visit in Lamballe
The town pays tribute to the local man with the Mathurin Méheut museum, which has almost 500 works by what is probably Brittany’s most emblematic artist.
Passionate about the region, Mathurin Méheut (1882-1958) depicted the seafaring world as well as traditional Breton costumes and seafaring trades. Enlisted in the First World War, he drew life in the trenches. He also designed numerous decorative elements for ocean liners such as the Normandie.
Since 2022, the museum has been housed in a brand new building adjoining the tourist office. It’s a great place to visit, with a permanent collection and a temporary exhibition showcasing different facets of the artist’s work.
15 place du Champ de Foire, Lamballe
Times vary according to the season, consult the museum website
€8, €4 for 6-17 year olds, free for under 6s
https://www.musee-meheut.fr/
Some good addresses in Lamballe
- Hotel : the Kyriad Hôtel, located opposite the station, is perfect for lightening up as soon as you get off the train. The staff are very friendly and the breakfast varied.
- Restaurants : coup de coeur for L’Ardoise, a brasserie where everything is home-made at very reasonable prices with pleasant service. For a quick bite to eat, Graingalette offers a galette saucisse + crêpe + drink for just €6.9, unbeatable!
Here we are back in Rennes for the end of this train itinerary in North Brittany but many other towns await you in Brittany, easily accessible with the TER BreizhGo!
Enjoy your stay in Brittany
This article was produced in collaboration with TER BreizhGo. However, I reserve the right to make my own comments, so the opinions expressed in this article are entirely sincere.
Header photograph: Jerome Sevrette
Except for the header illustration, all photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be reused without written permission.
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