Exploring the Best Routes from Brest to Nantes: A Road Trip Adventure

Heading out on a road trip from Brest to Nantes? Whether you're traveling across the French regions of Brittany and Pays de la Loire for fun, work or an adventurous vacation, this trip is guaranteed to take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes and exciting cities in the country. But how do you make the most of your travel time between Brest, Brittany, and Nantes, Pays de la Loire? In this guide, we have brought you the top routes to travel, landmarks to see, and activities to do on your drive.

Taking the A11 Motorway Route

If you're in a hurry and need to get to Nantes fast, you may want to opt for the A11 motorway route. This 280 km journey will take approx. 2h 50m, depending on traffic. It's an excellent option for those looking for a quick and convenient drive. Once you reach Nantes, you may want to take a stroll through Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden located in the heart of the city. If you're a history buff, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Chateau des ducs de Bretagne, a museum and fortress located on the banks of the Loire River.

Taking the D 768 Route

Following the coastline is often a charming way to experience a road trip, and that is what you get when you take the D 768 route. The journey is approximately 310 km and takes around 4h 15m. The route includes the breathtaking scenery of Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique, along with an opportunity to discover the seaside villages like Penestin and Mesquer. You can stop for a relaxing picnic on the way in Parc Naturel Régional de Brière or go for a swim in any of the scenic beaches along the route.

Taking the N165 Route

If you have more than five hours on your hands for this journey, you can allow yourself to take a more scenic route through charming towns, quaint villages, and beautiful rolling landscape. The drive is approximately 320km and takes around 4h 50m without stops, but the sights along the way are worth the detour. You'll go across the Golfe du Morbihan and the stunning Guérande salt pans to make your trip a little more exciting. The salt pans provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the salt harvest, while the Morbihan gulf provides an insight into the Breton fishing culture.

Taking the D765 and N137 Route

This route takes the shortest driving time, with only roughly 3 hours and 25 minutes for a total of 280km. The journey covers some of the most charming places along the Loire Valley. The route takes you through quaint villages like Redon, and La Gacilly, known for remarkable arts and craft creations. There's an abundance of natural beauty in this region, and we recommend stopping at the Rochefort-en-Terre, a medieval village with charming architecture and breathtaking views of rolling landscape with a river in the background.

Conclusion

That wraps up our guide on how to go from Brest to Nantes. Driving is an exciting and comfortable method to explore the landscapes, and with the different available routes, you can make the journey more enjoyable by stopping at attraction sites and villages. Plan your trip based on your travel preferences with this guide. Try some of the recommendations and make your road trip something you'll look back on with fondness.