Tour Guide Wanted Cherbourg to Mens

[weemalkie]

Hi All. Planning a six week trip to visit my offspring in Mens. I've a basic route planned with no specific stop overs. Planning to stay three weeks in Mens so have three weeks for the remainder of the trip. Route so far: Cherbourg -Mont St Michel, Vannes, St Nazaire, La Rochelle, Bordeaux all via coastal routes. Then inland to Bergerac, Lyon Mens. We have visited the Normandy beaches etc and the route from Lyon to mens is a couple of hours so won't be stopping. I'm aware I've missed out most of Brittany but sure there are places to see. Any suggestions for places/areas that are must see and/or places to avoid along or off the route would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

 

[Dart]

It all depends on your interests, of course, but between Vannes & St Nazaire you could drive through the Briere Natural Park and call in at the old thatched village of Kerinhet which is now run as a free to enter open air museum. There is plenty of parking with space for motorhomes in a grassy field, well signposted. If it happens to be a Thursday in July, August or early September when you are passing so much the better as there will be a Producers Market in full swing. It's always a jolly event with trestle tables set up at lunchtime so you can select food from the producers and have it cooked for you on the spot, buy a glass of the local beer, wine or cider and eat it whilst listening to a live music performance. It's a few years since I last went but I doubt it has changed much.
Also in the same area is Guerande and it's salt marshes where you can still see salt being produced in the old way. The attractive small town has ramparts you can walk on if you like that sort of thing.
Talking of ramparts, the citadel of Brouage in Charente Maritime is well worth a visit. All free again and approaching from the north there is a large car parking area easy for motorhomes to access. We have overnighted there in the past and you will probably see storks and their nests in the vicinity.
I'd also suggest visiting one of the islands, Ile de Re or Ile d'Oleron. Both have their merits. Re has some pretty ports and villages and is better served by cycle paths if that's your thing but there is a toll charge for the bridge. The bridge to Oleron is free to use and there is plenty to see on the island, especially the old fisherman's shacks, many now colourfully restored and turned into craft shops.
https://en.labaule-guerande.com/kerhinet-and-its-thatched-cottages.html

https://www.atlantic-loire-valley.com/festivals-and-events/marche-du-terroir-a-kerhinet-1

https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/brittany-loire-ocean/guerande/

https://www.guide-charente-maritime...-citadel-in-the-heart-of-the-marshes-166.html

 

[weemalkie]

It all depends on your interests, of course, but between Vannes & St Nazaire you could drive through the Briere Natural Park and call in at the old thatched village of Kerinhet which is now run as a free to enter open air museum. There is plenty of parking with space for motorhomes in a grassy field, well signposted. If it happens to be a Thursday in July, August or early September when you are passing so much the better as there will be a Producers Market in full swing. It's always a jolly event with trestle tables set up at lunchtime so you can select food from the producers and have it cooked for you on the spot, buy a glass of the local beer, wine or cider and eat it whilst listening to a live music performance. It's a few years since I last went but I doubt it has changed much.
Also in the same area is Guerande and it's salt marshes where you can still see salt being produced in the old way. The attractive small town has ramparts you can walk on if you like that sort of thing.
Talking of ramparts, the citadel of Brouage in Charente Maritime is well worth a visit. All free again and approaching from the north there is a large car parking area easy for motorhomes to access. We have overnighted there in the past and you will probably see storks and their nests in the vicinity.
I'd also suggest visiting one of the islands, Ile de Re or Ile d'Oleron. Both have their merits. Re has some pretty ports and villages and is better served by cycle paths if that's your thing but there is a toll charge for the bridge. The bridge to Oleron is free to use and there is plenty to see on the island, especially the old fisherman's shacks, many now colourfully restored and turned into craft shops.
https://en.labaule-guerande.com/kerhinet-and-its-thatched-cottages.html

https://www.atlantic-loire-valley.com/festivals-and-events/marche-du-terroir-a-kerhinet-1

https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/brittany-loire-ocean/guerande/

https://www.guide-charente-maritime...-citadel-in-the-heart-of-the-marshes-166.html

Many thanks for all the details. This is the first time we have been in the West of France and your suggestions are just what we are looking for. Just starting to get all the gear together and look to book Poole to Cherbourg at the beginning of June. Cheers.