sanssacados

Providing mobile accommodation, enabling flexible walking holidays on the GR34 Brittany coast path

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All I needed to do was lock the front door in one location in the morning, and unlock it in a new one in the evening.
​FT (22/06/18)

Andrew Eames

Writer
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Review for Financial Times

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I would highly recommend Sanssacados as a creative and fun way of exploring GR34, even for people who might not initially be considering use of a caravan.

Stephen & Angela

South Finistère walk
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2018

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Each day's walk had its own adventures and unforgettable scenes. Each destination was different and interesting.

John & Rosemary

South Finistère walk
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2018

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I don't know how we will ever top the experience, to be honest! Excellent value for money, as well.

Carol & Bryan (Canada)

South Finistère walk
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2018

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The holiday met our expectation in every way. So good in fact, that we have booked the Crozon section for next year.

Jan & Howard

South Finistère walk
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2018

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Delightful, well planned and thoughtful hike.

Sandi and Geoff  (Oakland CA)

S Finistère Walk
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June 2019

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sanssacados
•  We move a ​​fully-equipped caravan between coastal campsites for hikers' accommodation.

•  Providing a private, familiar base with all the logistics taken care of by us.

•  All tours can be tailored to suit you.

•  When not eating out, hikers will be self-catering. A shopping service is included in the straightforward price.

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The Brittany coast path, or sentier côtier, is a real gem for walkers. It's long; over 1700 kms, following Brittany's coast on an ancient path (late 18th century) established for customers officers. Also referred to as le sentier des douaniers - recalling its origin - the coast path gives hikers unique access to a dramatic coastline renowned throughout France for its beauty, variety and unforgettable colour.

Brittany enjoys a mild, maritime climate, near perfect for comfortable walking; and it's quiet. The length of the GR34 and a low population density, make crowding scarce.  
Frequently asked questions
How many people can sanssacados accommodate?
We can accommodate two in the caravan on a king-sized mattress. The dining area converts into a single bed, but we would still limit the caravan to two. Extra guest can be put up in tents. We only cater for one group at a time.
Can I come on my own?
Yes, walking alone is an excellent way to enjoy the coast path.
Why use a caravan rather than traditional accommodation?
Bed & breakfast and hotel accommodation is thinly spread and we would have to transport you some way inland to accommodate you, using what is available. Campsites are often right by the sea making your afternoons and evenings more special.
Where do you stay, having set up the camp?
We stay on the same campsite in our camping car (motor-home), but you have your own pitch and privacy.
What do you provide with the caravan?
We try to provide everything you will need for a comfortable camping holiday: 2 bikes, wifi, outside furniture, barbeque and fuel, all bedding and towels, induction hob and electric oven, all cooking utensils, 220v hook up and a shopping service.
Why do you provide a shopping service?
Although you can eat out close to most of the campsites, shops are not usually convenient so we get any items you might need on a daily basis.
Do you provide maps?
Yes, we provide the relevant 1:25000 maps. You can also follow your progress with your smart phone, see the section below on navigation. The path is however easy to follow and well marked.
How much does it cost?
140€ for two per night. So 7 nights costs 980€ for two people, or 490€ each. Extra people under canvas add 30€ per person.
120€ for one person. So 7 nights costs 840€ for one person.
Deduct 30€ for a rest day (a second day at the same campsite).
Minimum booking is 3 nights.
​We are a micro-entreprise so there is no TVA (Value added Tax).
You provide bikes for further exploration in the evenings, but can we bring our own bikes?
Yes, if you let us know we'll transport your bikes, a maximum of two.
How do I book?
Use our contact form or email us directly and we'll help plan your walk.
Do the campsites have showers and toilets?
Yes, all campsites have decent hot showers and toilets. We try to stick to small rural campsites as near the sea as possible. We try to avoid busy commercial sites aimed at families with "aqua-parks" etc.
I'm a bit worried about managing the distances, can you shorten the sections?
If you're worried about the distances choose our South Finistère Itinerary. We can advise short-cuts, dropping you off or picking you up so you can enjoy the best of the walk. Together we'll plan the best strategy for you on a daily basis.
Andrew Eames sampling the sanssacados experience.
Andrew Eames, travel writer, hiking with sanssacados. Article published 22/06/18 Financial Times. Click on photo for link to A Eames.
Hidden beach on the crozon peninsula
Hidden away beaches and beautifully coloured sea characterize much of the Bretagne coast. Crozon itinerary.
interior of caravan, sanssacados
Camping, but with a proper king-sized mattress. (All bedding is provided.)
Walking the Brittany coast path, approaching L'ile vierge on the Crozon Peninsula
Approaching L'ile Vierge. Crozon itinerary.

Three itineraries or plan your own

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  Our first itinerary is for 7 nights, hiking on one of our favourite stretches, from the border of Finistère to Concarneau. Shown in red on the map. Often overlooked, the south coast of Finistère is very varied, with wooded rias, picturesque harbours, turquoise seas and sheltered, sandy beaches. The ever changing and undemanding nature of this walk make it our most popular itinerary.

The second, starting at Concarneau, takes you to west Finistère. Out into the wild Atlantic along Cap Sizun and around the Point du Raz. The whole itinerary taking at least 12 nights. Although a sample of this itinerary can be enjoyed in a week.

The third ​explores the unique, colourful Crozon Peninsula with its remarkably contrasting west and east facing aspects. Again, this is a suggestion for 7 nights.

Our itineraries are suggestions which can be tailored to suit you. We will introduce additional itineraries with accurate distances and suitable campsites as we complete them ourselves. Ideas for adapting our itineraries, that we receive or that occur to us, will be featured in blog posts such as Cycling and Walking.

​Don't wait for us.  The Brittany Walks website, the two books "Walking the Brittany Coast" published by Red Dog books and the Topo-guides will all prove invaluable if you wish to plan your own adventure.
Plage du Kérou
Plage du Kérou, day 2, south Finistère itinerary

  Navigation

Following the coast path is generally easy, but it's nice to know exactly where you are and what you are passing. We provide the relevant IGN 1:25000  Série Bleue maps (France's equivalent of the OS Pathfinder maps) which you can carry with you. If you wish to purchase maps, we list which ones are needed at the start of each itinerary's page and they can be found at the  IGN website.  
Markers or ballisage found on GR34
Markers, or ballisage found on the GR34
Alternatively, each daily description on an itinerary's page has a link, "See the walk on a map" this takes you to the relevant map's page on our site. Or find each day's map listed under Maps/Les cartes in the top menu bar. These maps can be zoomed in and out and show the routes right up to the campsites.
 
Better still, at the bottom of each map on this site is a text link, or on the newer routes a button, inviting you use the Viewranger app.
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This button, or a text link opens the route in Viewranger.
Viewranger is a free app. which turns a smart phone into a sophisticated GPS device. You can download  Viewranger here.  It will allow you to follow the route and your phone's GPS will show you exactly where you are on the map. No internet connection is required after the map has been downloaded. Although using the GPS can consume a lot of battery.
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A further enhancement to the digital wizardry is achieved by purchasing the right to download all the IGN Série Bleue maps (and others) for France for about 22€ a year. This can be done through the Viewranger app, or from the Apple or Google play store where it's called iphiGéNie. You can then see exactly where you are and where the route goes on the best walkers' maps in France. 

Finally, for letting others know precisely where you are; we recommend downloading the What3Words app which allocates 3 words for each 3 square metres of the earth. We have found this app invaluable. 
Looking across to Port Manec'h from Pointe de Penquernéo
Looking across to Port Manec'h from Pointe de Penquernéo (Belon) a day's walk away.

Our offer

We only cater for one group at a time. We tow the caravan with our Eriba campervan, which neatly provides our accommodation. We stay on the same campsite as you, but you have your own pitch and privacy. We deal with all the admin. So you arrive at  camp and relax. 

We set up your camp at the next campsite each day. This includes a classic Dutch caravan, full kitchen facilities, an awning, outside furniture, a  barbecue (including the charcoal) and all the equipment you'd expect in a well-planned camp.

We provide all bedding and towels, including beach towels.

We will do food shopping for you as well as laundry and collecting items from the pharmacy. Campsites are often in beautiful locations not necessarily convenient for shops. We can source organic and gluten free products.

We help with reservations for restaurants and taxis, if required.

​We are a point of contact. We're never far away and can pick you up, or arrange your pick up should it be necessary. We recommend downloading the app "What3Words". It is a great tool for pin-pointing your location.

We provide WIFI, via a device which gives you a portable WIFI hotspot for up to 10 devices. This uses the provider with the best local coverage and, included in our pricing, comes with 1GB of data allowance (about sufficient for 2000 emails). Should you require more capacity an additional 1GB costs €10.
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We provide 2 bicycles (plus helmets, lock and high viz) for exploring or fetching baguettes. Please note bicycles are not allowed on much of the GR34 coast path.
If you prefer, we can transport your own bikes (2 bikes maximum).
cycling is not allowed on the gr34
Cycling is not allowed on most of the GR34 coast path
The GR34 between Le Pouldu and Doëlan
Between Le Pouldu and Doëlan. S Finistère itinerary.
View towards Pointe de St Hernot, Crozon
View towards Pointe de St Hernot, Crozon itinerary.
Le Cap de la Chèvre, Crozon
Le Cap de la Chèvre, Crozon itinerary.

  Cost

Pricing for 2020
One person    €120 per night
Two people    €140 per night ...€70 per person/night
Rest day (extra days at same campsite) deduct €30.
Extra guests, under canvas, €30 per extra person..
Prices based on a minimum of 3 nights. We have no standard start day.
​Safe parking can be arranged.
The campsites' and therefore our season is short in Brittany, usually April to mid-September.
Pointe de St Hernot, Crozon
Pointe de St-Hernot, Crozon Peninsula

Camping costs are included in the costs quoted. 
Food, laundry costs and taxis you may choose to use are not included.
If entitled, you should ensure your European health insurance card (EHIC) is up to date. This gives you the same reimbursements as a French citizen, in some cases only 70% of the costs; you must, therefore, ensure you have separate, personal travel insurance cover.
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A 10% deposit will secure the dates you want. Payment can be in pounds or Euros. If you pay in pounds we will apply the current exchange rate. 
​We will email you a PayPal invoice, or you can pay by bank transfer.
Gorse, heather and pine seem more vividly coloured against the backdrop of milky sea on the Crozon peninsula
Gorse, heather and pine seem more vividly coloured with the backdrop of the milky sea on the Crozon peninsula

Getting to Finistère's coast path

Our south Finistère itinerary is conveniently accessed by the TGV. Trains from Rennes to Quimperlé run regularly and take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

At Concarneau, you are a brief taxi ride from Rosporden which is on the same TGV line. The journey to Rennes taking about 2 hours.

The Crozon has no stations, but SNCF run buses from Quimper which is on the same line.

If you are a foot passenger on the St Malo ferries, trains from there connect at Rennes.

Rennes has flights from many international destinations, including many from the UK. Flights are also available to Dinard in the north of Brittany, near St Malo, from London Stanstead. A limited summer service may be available to Brest in Finistère from Birmingham or Southampton.
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If you come by car to walk our itineraries we can arrange parking; the cost of which is included in the daily price. Crozon is 50 miles from Roscoff and 150 from St Malo. Le Pouldu is 100 miles from Roscoff and 130 from St Malo.
Fuel is most often sold at supermarkets with service stations something of a rarity.
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Please be aware that in 2018 the speed limit was reduced from 90 to 80 km/hr on roads with no central reservation.

  ryanair flights to Dinard
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​   TGV bookings 

   Map of flights from Rennes 
Anse de Dinan, Crozon Peninsula.
View across l'Anse de Dinan, Crozon Peninsula.


​Mentions légales