Note, all holiday prices are based on a 14 July 2012 departure for two adults and two children staying seven-nights. Travel is not included. Prices correct at the time of publishing but subject to availability so please check www.siblu.com or call 0871 911 7777 for information and to book. Savings available until 22 January 2012.

Holiday deals to Brittany

Brittany has the longest coastline in France, dotted with white-sand beaches, serene harbours and craggy coves. Explore picturesque fishing towns and Carnac – France’s version of Stonehenge.

Four-star Domaine de Kerlann in southern Brittany has free children’s clubs, indoor and outdoor pools, a splash zone and sports pitches. The holiday village is located close to the pretty town of Pont Aven. From only £609, saving £203.

Pierres Couchees is just a few hundred metres from a great sandy beach with gentle surf, ideal for little ones. The rural setting is relaxing and those that don’t fancy the beach can laze by the heated outdoor pool. From only £699, saving £232.

Holiday deals to the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley was the go-to place for French royalty before the revolution, which is why the region is dominated by so many stunning châteaux. The World Heritage setting is dotted with many pretty villages and towns.

Domaine de Dugny is an outstanding 4-star holiday village with free kids clubs and a highly praised pool complex. There’s a small boating pool that’s also good for fishing. Several of the most famous chateaux, including the Royal Château at Chambord, Château Chenonceau and Château Royal d’Amboise, are close by. From only £557, saving £185.

Holiday deals to the Vendee

The Vendee is among the most popular holiday destinations in France, loved for its big, sandy, sunny coastline. Le Bois Masson, close to the resort of St Jean de Monts, is a lively four-star holiday village with indoor and outdoor pools, a health and wellbeing spa, bar and restaurant. From only £646, saving £215.

Holiday deals to Charente Maritime

Charente Maritime is the sunniest region of France’s west coast and has massive sandy beaches hidden by forests of pine trees. There are lots of fun seaside towns, so the destination gives the perfect mix for family holidays.

Les Charmettes is a giant holiday village with a brilliant indoor and outdoor swimming complex and  pools, slides and fountains that the kids will love. There are two entertainment stages, outside and inside, where the team perform shows throughout the week. From only £793, saving £264.

Bonne Anse Plage holiday village is on the edge of La Coubre forest and within walking distance of the sea. The parc has pools and slides, a climbing wall and cycle paths that snake off to the local beaches. From only £766, saving £255.

Holiday deals to Aquitaine

Aquitaine is a large region covered with pine forests, stretching from the stylish city of Bordeaux to the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are medieval towns, vineyards and long beaches which are popular with surfers.

La Réserve sits on the edge of Lake Biscarosse, which has a golden sand beach and safe, shallow waters. The holiday village has its own pool complex, kids’ playgrounds and there are lots of watersports available on the lake. From only £766, saving £255.

Holiday deals to Languedoc

Languedoc is not as glitzy or glamorous as its neighbour, the Cote d’Azur, but this is still a Med-coast region that enjoys buckets of sunshine, incredible beaches and beautiful scenery. Languedoc is the world’s biggest wine region, covering almost 300,000 hectares and producing more wine than Australia.

La Carabasse is a huge holiday village with a giant pool area. There are beaches, shops and restaurants in walking distance and the kids will love the energetic kids clubs. From only £819, saving £273.

Lac des Reves is a truly relaxing family site close to the Mediterranean coast and Montpellier. There is a highly rated pool and large sandy beaches nearby. From only £819, saving £273.

Les Sables du Midi is a small holiday village on the outskirts of the popular seaside resort of Valras Plage. From only £688, saving £229.

The region is a Gallic mirror of Cornwall, and even has its own Côte de Cornouaille which offers lots for young families who love the seaside, food and history.

Brittany does food very well, and the many ‘gastronomic’ specialities are worth taking the time to try.

Best beaches

There are fascinating places to explore along the coast with white-sand beaches, serene harbours, craggy coves and a strong Celtic culture.

There are quaint fishing villages and typical seaside resorts, plus frequent picnic spots and obscured inlets to discover. There are also many great viewpoints, where you can admire stunning views of craggy outcrops, blue-shuttered houses and the ever-changing Atlantic.

Carnac, which is 50km from the parc, is worth a day trip for its great beaches, including La Grande Plage, which is south-facing and sandy, and has a calm sea that is perfect for families, ideal for bathing and popular for water sports such as sailing. Le Men is a wilder beach and during low tide visitors can walk out to an island for picnics. St Colomban has warm shallow waters that are perfect for young children, and plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide. Even better, the parking at all beaches is free.

The fishing port of Trevignon has a lovely, huge beach with lots of smaller bays. It is stunning, and seldom feels packed. You can also wander along the coastal path to Raguenez, which has its own large sandy beach and rock pools. Raguenez Island can also be reached on foot at low tide. Along the coastal path there are many sandy coves to explore too.

The golden sands of Port-Manech, a pretty harbour town, are rarely crowded and there are plenty of rocks pools for children. A wide variety of water sports can be booked during the high season.

La Baule, in the far south east of Brittany, is perhaps France’s most famous beach, and is often referred to as la plus belle plage d’Europe for its incredible standards. Machines are regularly used to sieve the sand and remove rubbish during the night, leaving the white sand glistening for the following day. The beach is south facing and sheltered, and lined with luxury hotels and a swanky thalassotherapy centre.

You say:

 We did a beach trip to Trevignon, which was lovely, huge beach area with lots of smaller bays. [TripAdvisor member, UK]. The beach at Trevignon is stunning, and was almost deserted when we were there. [TripAdvisor member, Wigan]

Rospico is a small sheltered bay where the sea laps gently on the sand and rock pools beckon, the beach is unspoilt and perfect for families. It is an idyllic, safe and welcoming hideaway, ideal for spending a lazy day on the beach. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

The village of Port-Manech can be reached after a drive through lush cool forest, after which you will discover a strip of beach with a sentry line of white beach huts. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

Attractions and Adventure

Carnac is the site of France’s version of Stonehenge and is an ancient mystery. More than 3000 standing stones, some more than 20m high, were erected more than 6,000 years ago in lines that stretch for more than 2 miles in perfect alignment. Local myth has it that the stones are a legion of Roman soldier turned into rocks by the magician Merlin.

Oceanopolis, on the outskirts of Brest, is a high-tech sea-life centre containing Europe’s largest marine aquarium. It contains polar, tropical and temperate zones dedicated to a huge amount of sealife. The tropical zone is the most impressive and has species including sharks and large sea turtles, which you can see at close quarter from walk through tanks. The polar is the smallest zone but has some fascinating exhibits such as a recreated penguin habitat and a pack of ice seals, and impressive giant crabs. There’s also an atmospheric movie shot from of a research ship crossing a polar ice flow. Be aware: pick your visiting times wisely. It does get busy and seeing the exhibits can be a battle for smaller children. An early morning start is advised.

Odet Loisir is an adventure park just outside of Quimper. Kids will love the zip slides, treetop nets and mazes, losing themselves in a great day of entertainment.

You say:

We went to the zoo at Pont Scroff, this is sooo worth a visit. It’s hilly, but once you reach the top it gives you excellent views of the animals and allows you to feel quite close. [TripAdvisor member, Midlands]

Odet Loisir, near Quimper, is a play park with bouncy castles, rope slides, river traverses and various other climbing and mechanical rides that have been long since been banned by over zealous health and safety in the UK. [TripAdvisor member, Belfast]

Oceanopolis, in Brest, is a huge ocean discovery park with 50 aquariums in polar, temperate and tropical zones. Loved it – possibly one of the best aquariums I have been to. [TripAdvisor member, Jersey]. One word: brilliant [TripAdvisor member, UK]

Cities and towns

The medieval town of Concarneau is one of the most photographed places in Brittany and the third largest fishing port in France. The island of ‘Ville Close’ in the harbour gets most of the attention and you can also enjoy the huge markets which take place on Monday and Fridays, or the fishing museum which tells the story of the town. The narrow streets of Ville Close are packed with tourist shops, boutiques and creperies.

Quimper, on the banks of the river Odet, is Brittany’s oldest city. Head for the medieval quarter where you’ll find charming cobbled streets, pretty boulevards and a slow pace of life. The artist Gaugin fell in love with Pont Aven, which is the town closest to Domaine de Kerlann. It’s a small port packed with crêperies and art galleries, pretty stone bridges, riverside glades and the watermills. Every shop requires a viewing: there are intriguing gift boutiques, galleries displaying original artworks inspired by the area, cafes and restaurants aplenty. As you walk through the town you can catch glimpse of the good looking mansions on the surrounding hills. Walk through the town and you’ll discover the Bois d’Amour, wooded gardens which have long provided inspiration to romantics.

You say :

Pont-Aven, a haven for artists and art-lovers, packed with shops selling original paintings and sculptures in a wide range of styles. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

What to eat, where to find it

Many towns have weekly farmers markets brimming with fresh goods that you can cook and enjoy in your holiday home. Bénodet market is a lively, traditional Breton market, open every Monday from 9h – 13.30h in Place du Meneyer. If you travel to the town, take a free afternoon visit to the François Garrec biscuit factory, which is also the place to discover traditionally made crepes and Breton cakes. Bénodet also has its own local brewery (a revived art in the region), which sells refreshing Breton beer and is open to visits on Fridays in the summer.

The market in Quimper takes place every Wednesday, Friday (when the stalls are displaying gorgeous organic produce) and Saturday.

You say :

Moulin de Rosmadecin Pont Aven has one Michelin star – you must go and try the “tasting” menu for 58€. TripAdvisor member, Belfast]

A Brittany stay is incomplete with sampling the incredible food, such as local delicacies of salty oysters, savoury galettes and oozing sweet crepes. Le Talisman is the best creperie in Pont Aven [TripAdvisor member, Donaghadee]

Special events

Lorient, in Brittany, hosts a massive showcase of Celtic arts every August. Over 250 events are performed to 300,000 visitors, on stage, in the street or under tents. There’s a diverse collection of artists and musicians and headline events including Pipe Band and Bagpipe Championships, instrument master-classes and dance competitions (August 2010).

The Festival de Cornouaille in Quimper has concerts, street parades and musicians bring the town to life through July. There’s a wonderful mix of music and dance, with plenty of free events (July 2010).

Travelling to Brittany

There are regular low-cost flights to Nantes and the tiny airport at Dinard, which are both served by the major car hire companies.

The proximity of Pont Aven to the ferry ports makes driving to Brittany a breeze from most locations. The trip is less than 2 hours from Roscoff, and especially easy once you pick up the main N165 toward Quimper. Caen and Cherbourg require longer drives, of around 4 hours, but again the route is relatively straightforward, with most of the journey taking place on the A84 towards Rennes, and then on the N24 toward Lorient. The final leg of the journey can be completed on the N165, taking you to Pont Aven. The 7-hour drive from Calais includes a long stretch on the A16 to toward Rouen and Le Havre, before picking up the A28, then the A29 and the A13 toward Caen, when you join the A84. The drive from Calais is the only journey that includes toll charges, which will cost around 25€. All of the usual road regulations apply, and in France it is also compulsory to have a warning triangle and high visibility vest. If you don’t have these, you can face on the spot fines.

The Climate in Brittany

During the summer months Brittany is generally a few degrees warmer and drier than the south of England, but its weather is marked by changeability. While temperatures will often move into the 20s during July and August, sunny days can be interspersed with cloud and rain, which is why the region is so green and woody.

Where to stay

Kids love Domaine de Kerlann, a four-star holiday parc on the outskirts of charming Pont Aven. The indoor and outdoor pools prove popular and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. And best of all, the nearby beaches are stunning.

Pierres Couchees is a short walk from a great beach, with gentle surf that makes it ideal for little ones. This welcoming parc is in a lovely, relaxing location, surrounded by woods of oak trees where you can even see red squirrels.

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Alarig, head of entertainments at Pierres Couchees, has invited great groups from France’s west coast to perform on the parc’s outdoor stage.

There are 12 groups covering French pop, rock and even punk. Bands appearing include Drunken Butterfly (pop & indie, 18 July), Voxcivilian (rock fusion, 25 July), Cabassa (afrobeat, hip-hop, 1 August), Goodbye Juliet (electro pop, 5 August), Les Vieilles Margattes (French pop, 8 August), Justine & Dolores Riposte (punk rock, 12 August), Cirkus Palace (rock, 15 August), Users (hip hop’n'roll, 19 August), Vladivostok (disco punk, 22 August), Le Pied de la Pompe (French pop, 26 August) and Ad Libe (pop, 29 August).