john@sanssacados.fr

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A walking holiday on the Brittany coast path. Luggage transfer and accommodation made simple

  Sanssacados is a "micro-entreprise" based in Brittany, comprising two of us, Sarah and John. We offer a flexible service from simple luggage transfer to a fully equipped camp and caravan moved between campsites for your accommodation, allowing you to enjoy walking holidays and undertake long distance walks anywhere on the GR34, Brittany's beautiful coast path, on a reasonable budget, unencumbered, sans sac à dos. 
  The coast path, or sentier côtier, is a real gem for hikers. It follows much of Brittany's 1700kms of coastline on an old path originally established for customs officers allowing them to move easily along the coast looking for smugglers, or perhaps for that notoriously invasive species, the English. Referred to as the sentier des douaniers, recalling its origin, the coast path gives walkers unique access to a dramatic coastline renowned throughout France for its beauty, variety and  unforgettable colour. Some say that whilst the other regions were arguing over mountains and vineyards, Brittany was able to help itself to all the interesting and beautiful bits of coastline.
  Brittany enjoys a mild, "goldilocks" climate near perfect for  comfortable walking holidays; and it's quiet. The sheer length of the GR34, the huge number of excellent beaches to choose from and a very low population density make crowding scarce.  

Walking holidays for singles, couples and groups of three. More under canvas.

 We can accommodate up to 3 people in our caravan, but the Brittany coast path is a safe, tranquil place to walk alone as a single and a calm, quiet place to relax as a couple. All are welcome and we'll be in the background to help.
  If you have a larger party, we can help, but extra guests would be under canvas.
​  Alternatively, we can move your bags between bed & breakfast or hotel accommodation you have decided upon. And we can move your own camping gear between sites.

South Finistère's rias provide quiet moorings in a landscape constantly changing with the tides.

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

Anse de Rospico, Nevez

The Roller "Palace 400", base camp.

Support and accommodation

If the definition of glamping is a genuine mattress, you'll be glamping

  Our accommodation is a well equipped caravan, with a proper king sized, double mattress and a generous single. We provide everything you'd expect in an established camp: windbreaks, awning, outside furniture, wifi, electric hook up and full kitchen facilities.
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Campsites occur quite frequently along the Bretagne coast and are often in enviable positions bordering the GR34 coast path with sea views.
​  Using our caravan and the coastal campsites eliminates the need for unpacking every day and the ferrying inland to B&Bs, maintaining the enchantment of being right by the sea. In the evenings you'll be able to take a stroll on the beach, watch the sun set over the sea, or have a dip. 
​  We move and set up your camp at the next site and do your food shopping and laundry, leaving you more time to explore the coast, relax and enjoy yourselves.
  You have your privacy, we don't share your camping pitch, but we will always be close-by should you need a hand.

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Approaching L'ile Vierge on the Crozon. Beyond the headland is one of the most photographed beaches in Brittany. A rope is provided to aid access.

Where to walk on the Brittany coast path

  We have an initial itinerary for one of our favourite stretches, the often overlooked, south coast of Finistère with its beautiful, wooded rias, turquoise seas and sandy beaches, but we will help plan your walk on any part of the Brittany coast. Although there are stretches that are better known than others: the pink granite coast, the Crozon peninsula and the Point de Raz, nowhere on the coast is disappointing. There are regrettable buildings in places and we've walked past a quarry, but there is amazing variety, constant interest and outstanding beauty on all of Brittany's coast. Lots of people try to walk the entire GR34; although not usually all in one go.
  Our initial itinerary is purely a suggestion which can  be tailored to suit you. We will introduce additional itineraries with accurate distances and suitable campsites as we complete them ourselves, including an itinerary for people who don't feel able to walk huge distances, but want to walk every day. But 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. If you wish to purchase walkers' maps the IGN, Institut Geographique National publish "carte de randonnée" série bleue, or blue series maps which are at 1:25000 and are GPS compatible; they are the equivalent of the Ordnance Survey path finder maps. They are also available from UK suppliers.  These maps cover about 18x13 miles and cost around 11€ each. A convenient alternative, if you don't mind maps presented on a small screen, is to buy the right to download all of them which costs around 20€ per year. This is an upgrade offered by the Viewranger app and can also be purchased as an app directly from IGN themselves, under the catchy name iPhiGéNie.

La Rivière de Belon, famous for its oysters

Whilst you hike Brittany's coast path, what do we do?

  We only cater for one group at a time. We tow the caravan with our Eriba campervan, which also provides our accommodation. We stay on the same campsite as you, but you have your own pitch and privacy.
  We set up your camp at the next campsite each day. This includes a classic Dutch caravan, an awning and a toilet tent (for your convenience at night). Decent shower blocks and toilets are available on all campsites.
   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.
  Organic (bio) groceries are available in supermarkets as are
 gluten free products. Local markets have an excellent range of produce, epecially seafood and vegetables. Biocoop has greatly increased the range, standard and ethical provenance of foodstuffs available in a regular shop. 
  Wine in France is good value and of a high standard although the range of overseas' wine offered is comically limited. Organic wine is increasingly popular and the range available has increased significantly over the last few years, with something for all budgets. Currently a perfectly acceptable organic table wine can be purchased for under 18€ for an incredible 5 litres; a nice riesling (Alsace of course) is around 6.50€ a bottle as is a fine, dry crémant d'Alsace, if you prefer vin mousseux (sparkling). An organic cru bourgeois bordeaux starts from around €15 per bottle.
  We can help with reservations for restaurants and taxis, if required.
​   If you would feel happier knowing that someone knows exactly where you are and have a smart phone with GPS we recommend downloading the free app Viewranger. Using the "buddy beacon" feature will allow us to pinpoint your location.
  We provide a device which gives you a secure, portable WIFI Hotspot up to 10 devices. This uses the provider with the best mobile coverage of the area and, included in our pricing, comes with 1GB of data allowance (about sufficent for 2000 emails). Should you require more capacity an additional 1GB costs €10.
  We provide 2 bicycles for your use. Please note bicycles are not allowed on the GR34 coast path.

Cycling is not allowed on most of the GR34 coast path

How fit do I need to be for the sentier côtier?

  The GR34 is a well maintained decent path, but there are ups and downs. There are brief sections where you have to negotiate rocks, rough steps and there are often tripping hazards in the form of roots and rocks. ​

Between Le Pouldu and Doëlan

And how far is that in steps?

  We have tried to make the sections on our itinerary an enjoyable length, but the campsites are where they are. Remember we offer complete flexibility, so when planning your own itinerary you don't have to walk every day. Our longest distance in a day is just over 20kms (12.5 miles) and the daily average is 9.6 miles. If you think in steps and want a target to aim at, that's a 19200 steps daily average, assuming 2000 steps per mile. 
  If planning your own walk bear in mind that we find ourselves averaging 4km/hr (2.5mph). We are easily distracted, especially by bird life and wild flowers, but that relatively slow pace also reflects the often changeable character of the path.
  We plan to introduce other itineraires, including  a plan for those who don't feel they can walk too far, but nevertheless want to enjoy a walking holiday. If this interests you, or if you have any suggestions for routes you would like us to explore, please let us know using our contact form. 

Cost

Caravan accommodation:
One person    €100 per night
Two people    €120 per night ...€60 per person/night
Three people €140 per night
Rest day (extra days at same campsite) deduct €40.
Extra guests, under canvas, email us for quote.
Prices based on a minimum of 3 nights. We have no standard start day.
Long distance , more than 2 weeks, discounts available.
Bag transfer only, between accommodations found by you (hotels and B&B) ... Please email your itinerary for  a quote.
Bag transfer between campsites including moving your camping gear; use of 2 bikes and food shopping can be included ... Please email your plans for a quote.
​Under cover, private parking is included if you are doing our itinerary.

  Camping costs are included in the costs quoted for caravan accommodation. But costs quoted for bag transfer between campsites will not include any camping costs. For 2 people in a tent, assume around 20€/night for camping costs.
​The 1 night in B&B costs €65 for up to 2 people and €75 for 3 plus €40 for the transfer if you are doing our south Finistère itinerary.
  Food, laundry costs and taxis you may choose to use are not included.
  You should ensure your European health insurance card (EHIC) is up to date. This entitles you to 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.
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 itinerary is conveniently accessed by the TGV. Trains from Rennes to Quimperlé run regularly and take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. At the end of our itinerary, in Concarneau, you are a brief taxi ride from Rosporden which is on the same TGV line. The journey to Rennes taking about 2 hours. 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.
   If you come by car to walk our south Finistère itinerary, we arrange covered, private parking; the cost of which is included in the daily price.
  Fuel is most often sold at supermarkets with service stations something of a rarity.
  Please be aware that from 1st July the speed limit will be reduced to 80kmph from 90kmph on roads with no central reservation.

  ryanair flights to Dinard
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​   TGV bookings 

   Map of flights from Rennes 

The brooding Breton coast in November

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