December in Brittany can offer the perfect Christmas getaway with cool temperatures, a bit of rainfall and at least one festival to enjoy. There might not be any snow, but the upside is you will be a little warmer than you would be if it did come down! Rainfall this month is around 62mm on average; it will fall on 16 days out of the month. Making it the wettest month of the year, so be sure to take waterproof clothing such as a raincoat if you plan to spend a lot of time outside. Also be aware that you may be looking at more days of rain than dry days.
The sea temperature will be, on average, a cool 13°C. This means that hitting the beach probably won't be one of your main priorities, but don't discount the novelty factor of a Christmas stroll on the sand. The daily average temperature is a chilly 8°C, while the daily highs and lows run between 5 and 10°C, so this is definitely time to wrap up.
You will still find 5 hours of sunshine a day, however, which is really great news for getting out and exploring the local area. It is magical to see everything transformed ready for Christmas, and you can't miss out on seeing what the town and city centres look like all dressed up. France has plenty of customs associated with the holiday, and you will get to enjoy them first-hand when you visit this month. Your essential packing items are gloves and a coat.
To enjoy the December festivities, spend your visit at the Maison Tirel-Guerin. Here you will find a four star hotel which is accompanied by a Michelin-starred restaurant in other words, the perfect place to get your Christmas dinner, especially if you like something a little out of the ordinary. There is also a spa at this relaxing hotel, which feels just like an elegant country retreat.
If you want a spa but prefer a less expensive option, try Hotel Le Connetable. This hotel has undergone huge renovation work to turn it into a three-star place to stay, after having started life as a barracks. Be sure to check out the spa, which offers lots of massage options ready for you to book them as a Christmas present to yourself.
Those on a budget can try the two-star Logis Les Bains De Mer. There are 32 rooms here, along with a garden, heated pool, and a restaurant where you can take all of your meals if you wish. It is located at the mouth of the beautiful Odet River.
For a creperie, try out La Potion Magique. Crepes are hugely popular in France and are not just eaten as a sweet dish, but also as a savoury main course. This is a great place for families to visit as it is full of lots of different options, and kids love getting to eat pancakes for dinner! It is also located by the coast in Carnac, which is a very picturesque area.
For a cosy lunch or dinner, visit L'Estaminet. This restaurant offers two simple rooms where you can relax in a family atmosphere, along with a well-stocked bar. Their French cuisine-based menu offers traditional and filling meals, based around French meats, local seafood, and seasonal vegetables.
You can also visit Restaurant La Cote. This is an upmarket option with a price tag to match, but it may well be worth it for seafood loves. Head chef Pierre Michaud promises to give you a taste of the sea that is like nothing you have ever experienced before, in a menu that is elegant and contemporary whilst focusing on flavour.
Les Transmusicales located in Rennes in December is the one music festival to enjoy during this winter month. This festival has been known to showcase brand new talents, indeed, Nirvana and Portishead debuted at this relatively modest festival, so who knows who will make it big next.
Visiting the Pointe du Raz makes for a chilly excursion during winter, however, if you're a keen surfer you may not be put off as it offers the best surfing in colder months. Pointe du Raz is also known as the Land's End for Finistere. If it is a nice day with little rain and decent temperatures, consider the Baie des Trespasses or Bay of the Dead. You can stroll along the cliffs to see a place of numerous shipwrecks. It is west of Douarnenez by 20km.
In the same area is Clos the Parishes of Finistere. Les Enclos Paroissiaux offer walled churchyards with a cemetery, ossuary, and cavalry celebrating Breton Catholicism. Locronon offers numerous pardons throughout the year, as do some of the other parishes of Finistere. This is an interesting place to visit from a cultural and historic point of view.
