South Brittany7 days2 bases

South Brittany itinerary: 7 days between Carnac, Quiberon and the Gulf of Morbihan

A week of megaliths, characterful harbours, Atlantic coast and Gulf islands, organised around two bases so you spend more time exploring and less time repacking.

Côte rocheuse et océan bleu sur la presqu’île de Quiberon
Quiberon’s Wild Coast, one of the highlights of this week in South Brittany. © Ker Coast

The route at a glance

What to do in South Brittany for 7 days?

For a first week in Morbihan, the most fluid itinerary combines Auray and Saint-Goustan, Carnac, Quiberon, Locmariaquer, the Gulf of Morbihan and Vannes.

The route below uses four nights around Carnac or Auray, then two nights in Vannes. It remains deliberately flexible: an island day can become a Gulf cruise, a beach can replace a visit and the pace can easily slow down for families.

7 days6 nights, from the Auray area to Vannes
2 basesCarnac/Auray then Vannes
Car recommendedExplore the island on foot

The logic of the route

A week rich in scenery, light on logistics.

South Brittany makes you want to take every detour. This route groups visits by area and leaves room for weather, tides and spontaneous choices.

01

Only two bases

Four nights west of the Gulf, two nights in Vannes: only one accommodation change.

02

Atlantic coast, then the Gulf

The route alternates the power of the Wild Coast with the more sheltered landscapes of the Morbihan.

03

Living heritage

Megaliths, historic harbours, a walled town and maritime villages give each day character.

04

Real flexibility

Each day can be lightened, reversed or replaced depending on the season and your pace.

Suggested route

From Saint-Goustan to Vannes in 7 days.

Auray / Saint-Goustan → Carnac and La Trinité-sur-Mer → Quiberon peninsula → Locmariaquer → Gulf of Morbihan → Vannes.

View the route on Google Maps →
1Auray & Saint-GoustanArrival · first impressions
2CarnacBase 1 · 4 nights
3QuiberonAtlantic coast day
4Locmariaquer & GolfeTransfer to Vannes
5VannesBase 2 · 2 nights

The itinerary day by day

Seven days between megaliths, harbours and coastal paths.

This itinerary is a source of inspiration, not a standard package. Timetables, crossings and access conditions should be checked for your travel dates.

1Carnac / Auray base

Auray and Saint-Goustan harbour

Start in the streets of central Auray, then walk down to Saint-Goustan harbour. The former trading port is now a pleasant area for an easy first evening beside the Auray river.

Suggested pace: easy arrival, walk and dinner locally.
Port de Saint-Goustan à Auray, son pont de pierre et ses maisons
Saint-Goustan harbour on the Auray river. Photo : Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · image recadrée.
2Carnac / Auray base

Carnac: standing stones, village and Anse du Pô

Spend the morning at the standing stones and Maison des Mégalithes, then head into Carnac. At the end of the day, Anse du Pô offers a different setting of oyster beds and changing light.

Good to know: the megaliths of Carnac and the Morbihan shores have been UNESCO-listed since 2025.
Menhirs dans les alignements de Carnac
Carnac’s standing stones, best explored with time to understand the landscape. © Ker Coast
3Carnac / Auray base

La Trinité-sur-Mer and the Carnac coast

Stroll around La Trinité-sur-Mer harbour, then choose a stretch of coast to suit your mood: beach, gentle walk or bike loop. Keep the end of the afternoon free for Carnac-Plage without over-scheduling.

A good option: a lighter day before the Quiberon peninsula.
4Carnac / Auray base

Quiberon, from Portivy to Pointe du Conguel

Leave early for Portivy and the Wild Coast. Continue to Quiberon, Port-Haliguen and Pointe du Conguel. The aim is not to stop everywhere, but to choose two or three coherent stops between cliffs, harbour and walking.

In summer: allow for traffic and do not underestimate parking time.
Ruelle de Quiberon avec le phare de Port-Haliguen en arrière-plan
From the harbour to the small streets, Quiberon is more than its Atlantic coast. © Ker Coast
Rochers et mer bleue sur la Côte Sauvage de Quiberon
On the Wild Coast, stay on authorised paths and keep a safe distance from the cliff edge. © Ker Coast
5Transfer to Vannes

Locmariaquer and the Gulf shores

Leave your first base via Locmariaquer. Megalithic heritage, the harbour and views towards the entrance of the Gulf make a natural transition before heading to Vannes for two nights.

Alternative: replace the megalithic visit with a seasonal crossing to Port-Navalo.
6Vannes base

Île aux Moines or a Gulf cruise

Choose an island day on Île aux Moines, reached by boat from Port-Blanc, or a cruise with or without a stop. Once ashore, explore on foot or by bike and adapt your loop to the return boat time.

Essential: check timetables, booking and weather with the chosen operator. For a shorter stay, follow our 3-day Gulf of Morbihan itinerary.
7Vannes base · departure

Vannes, from the harbour to the walled town

Finish with the harbour, Porte Saint-Vincent, the lanes of the walled town, half-timbered houses and the rampart gardens. This last day is easy to adapt to your departure time.

To extend the day: walk along La Rabine or detour via Conleau.
Bateaux dans le port de Vannes et façades du quai
Vannes harbour naturally connects the Gulf with the historic centre. © Superbass / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · image recadrée.

Where to stay?

Two bases to avoid an over-fragmented road trip.

The best base depends on your travel style. Carnac puts beaches and megaliths nearby; Auray is convenient by train and gives quick access to Saint-Goustan. Vannes then makes it easy to reach Gulf boat departures while enjoying a real evening in town.

Base 1 · 4 nights

Carnac or Auray

Carnac for a coastal atmosphere and beaches close by. Auray for rail access, Saint-Goustan and a central location between Carnac and Vannes.

Base 2 · 2 nights

Vannes or the north shore of the Gulf

Vannes for restaurants, heritage and easy access to several activities. Baden or Larmor-Baden for a quieter atmosphere close to some boat departure points.

Prepare the week

The details that really change the experience.

In South Brittany, a good itinerary considers boat timetables, traffic and tides just as much as the list of sights.

Leave early for Quiberon

The peninsula gets busy in high season. Arriving early makes it much easier to choose stops and parking calmly.

Check boat crossings

Timetables, departure ports and services change with the season. Book island days once the rest of the trip is set.

Check the marine weather

Wind and sea conditions can affect a cruise. Keep Vannes or a cultural visit as a backup.

Consider the tides

They transform harbours, coves and landscapes. They do not dictate the whole itinerary, but can guide the order of walks.

Do not overload the days

Two highlights and a pause are often enough. The quality of the trip also comes from leaving time for markets, beaches and spontaneous detours.

Have a backup plan

Museum, walled town, thalassotherapy or cannery visit: each area has credible alternatives if the rain sets in.

Editorial information checked in September 2026 against official sources: Alignements de Carnac, Baie de Quiberon, Baie de Quiberon Tourist Office et City of Vannes. Timetables and access conditions should still be confirmed before departure.

Frequently asked questions

Planning 7 days in South Brittany.

Essential answers before turning this outline into a real trip.

What should you see in South Brittany in 7 days?

A balanced route can connect Auray and Saint-Goustan, Carnac’s standing stones, La Trinité-sur-Mer, the Quiberon peninsula, Locmariaquer, an island in the Gulf of Morbihan and Vannes.

Where should you stay to visit Carnac, Quiberon and the Gulf of Morbihan?

Two bases are enough: four nights around Carnac or Auray, then two nights in Vannes or on the north shore of the Gulf. This limits accommodation changes.

Do you need a car for this South Brittany itinerary?

A car makes travel between Saint-Goustan, Carnac, Quiberon, Locmariaquer and the Gulf departure points much easier. In high season, allow for traffic on the Quiberon peninsula.

What is the best time for this itinerary?

Spring and early autumn often offer a good balance of light, visitor numbers and open services. Summer also works well if you book ahead and leave early for the busiest places.

Can you do this itinerary with children?

Yes. Beaches, harbours, megaliths and short walks work well for families. Distances and the order of visits should still be adapted to the children’s ages and the weather.

Keep exploring

Another side of Brittany in one week.

Compare this Morbihan route with our 7-day itinerary from Saint-Malo to the Pink Granite Coast, or discover the level of detail in a Signature travel guide.

Two ways to travel

48 ready-to-follow hours, or a trip built around you.

The Quiberon - Carnac short break follows a fixed route. To adapt dates, pace, children or budget, Ker Coast creates a tailor-made trip.