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?

170€ for two per night. Extra people under canvas add 40€ per person.
140€ for one person per night.
€110 for one and €140 for two 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. We usually have a morning chat and are able to alter plans on a daily basis.

Andrew Eames, travel writer, hiking with sanssacados. Article published 22/06/18 Financial Times. Click on photo for link to A Eames.

Hidden away beaches and beautifully coloured sea characterize much of the Bretagne coast. Crozon.

Camping, but with a proper king-sized mattress. (All bedding is provided.)

Approaching L'ile Vierge. Crozon.

Follow our itinerary or plan your own

To ensure best management, we are offering one itinerary for 2022. But we can help if you want to try another bit of the coast.
The itinerary we suggest is for 7 nights, hiking from Concarneau to Le Pouldu. Shown in red on the map.
Often overlooked, the south coast of Finistère is perhaps the most varied stretch of Brittany's coast, with wooded rias, picturesque harbours, turquoise seas and sheltered, sandy beaches providing safe, excellent swimming. The ever changing and undemanding nature of this walk make this an ideal introduction to Brittany's sentier côtier.

Our itinerary can be tailored to suit you. Distances can be shortened. Days can be added for relaxing or removed to make a shorter break.

We have good knowledge of the coast and campsites around the Cap Sizun and Crozon Peninsula, shown in purple and pink on the map. Should you wish to plan your own adventure, we can help. 

Our Maps Page has daily walks between campsites shown for Cap Sizun and Crozon.  The Brittany Walks website, the two books "Walking the Brittany Coast" published by Red Dog books and the Topo-guides will also prove invaluable.

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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 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.

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 (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 in your caravan.
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We provide 2 bicycles (plus helmets, lock and high viz) for exploring the hinterland 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 most of the GR34 coast path

Between Le Pouldu and Doëlan. S Finistère itinerary.

View towards Pointe de St Hernot, Crozon itinerary.

Le Cap de la Chèvre, Crozon.

  Cost

Pricing for 2021
One person    €140 per night
Two people    €170 per night ...€85 per person/night
Rest day (extra days at the same campsite)  €110 one person, €140 for two.
Extra guests, under canvas, €40 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 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 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.

  ryanair flights to Dinard
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​   TGV bookings 

   Map of flights from Rennes 

View across l'Anse de Dinan, Crozon Peninsula.

​Mentions légales