Coastal Treasures in Brittany

The coffee shop Un Grain, une Feuille, just outside the city of Nantes, is a great place to stop for a morning coffee break. The rich aroma of coffee is strong in the air, as it is roasted directly on site. They are certified organic coffee roasters and also sell fair trade products in the shop. Enjoy a quality brew outside the shop in the shade of the square.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 09:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday – Monday: Closed

One of the culinary delights Brittany is famous for around the world is its sea salt. Stop by Guérande to see the colourful mosaic of salt marshes where the flaky salt is produced.
Learn about the history of the salt marshes and the production process by visiting one of the local salt producers. Turning off the main road onto unsealed roads, you'll find several local places of production where you can learn firsthand about salt mining.
After your tour, you can purchase a variety of flavoured salts from the producers' shop.
For more information and to book a tour, please visit the Tourist Information Centre’s official website. Here you’ll find the tour schedule in the official visitor centre shop.

Once you've got to know Brittany's salt, it's time to get acquainted with another one of the region's culinary specialities – oysters.
Breton oysters are renowned for their quality and saline flavour. Indulge in an oyster-tasting session on the seaside deck of Cabane à Milo, where you can also order other types of seafood such as prawns, clams, and whelks.
Oysters are seasonal and La Cabane à Milo is open between April and October (closed November to March). Make sure to check the opening hours and book in advance via the Cabane à Milo website.
If visiting during the off-season, Le Kerstéphanie is a good alternative for lunch. This Michelin restaurant is set in a stone farmhouse and offers three-, five-, and seven-course fine dining experiences based around artisanal local produce.

Now that you've made it all the way across the country to the west coast of France, you can't pass up the opportunity to walk along the beach and perhaps even have a dip in the sea. Plage de Kerouriec is a vast stretch of golden sand that is well sheltered from the wind.

Lighthouses may be less required by sailors these days, but they make for excellent seaside accommodation. Check into Kerbel Lighthouse in Port-Louis and marvel at the panoramic views of the coast.
This lighthouse hotel is extremely popular, so book your visit in advance.
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If you are a TCS member and would like to book a hotel with 3% cashback, please follow the instructions in this link.

Take a coastal walk along the southern edge of Port-Louis on Promenade du Lohic. Not only do you get to experience the seaside, but along this side of town are the remains of old ramparts and historical structures such as Le Belvédère du Lohic, Tower Saint Francis and an old wash-house.

Your last dinner on this road trip is at the Michelin-starred l'Amphitryon. Chef Olivier Beurné and sommelier Anthony Rauld have created a sleek and contemporary restaurant to provide the experience of a gourmet workshop. The menu changes daily according to the chef's inspiration and the sommelier will be able to pair each course with the perfect wine. Reserve your table in advance. Booking information can be found on the L'Amphitryon website or by phone on +33297833404. Opening Hours: Tuesday: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday – Sunday: Closed

Return to your studio, which sits 25 metres high at the very top of the lighthouse. Don't worry if you missed the sunset while at dinner, because the 360-degree windows mean you'll be able to catch the sunrise the next morning. Bad weather? Even storms are a magical experience from the height of the lighthouse.
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If you are a TCS member and would like to book a hotel with 3% cashback, please follow the instructions in this link.

You've made it all the way from the Swiss border to the Breton seaside. This completes your cross-country road trip of France. Hopefully you've had some wonderful cultural, historical, natural, and gourmet experiences.