May is the beginning of the warmest season in Brittany. The average high temperature is a pleasant 18°C with lows only going down as far as 10°C, a big change from the shivering days of the winter. This works out to a daily average of 14°C, which is toasty compared to the earlier months. Sea temperatures are starting to increase towards the summer temperature, peaking on average at 14°C. This month also marks the first time in the year that you might expect the outside air to be warmer than the sea.
There are 9 hours of sunshine a day, which gives you plenty of time for enjoying the sunshine and topping up your tan. This also contributes to the rising temperatures, as the sun simply has more time to work its magic! Rainfall is starting to drop to 12 days out of the month, and is typically around 44mm in total. This means more than half of the month is likely to be dry, which are good odds if you are staying for a week or two. Overall, it's certainly a good outlook for the coming days of summer! While the heat may continue to increase as the months go on, it can be a good idea to travel earlier in order to miss out on the peak tourist rush.
You will want to make sure that you check the weather forecast every morning, as it is still possible for the weather to be changeable in this part of France. Your packing should include a raincoat as well as suntan lotion, to ensure that you are not caught out in either extreme of the possibilities. As for activities, make sure that you plan for a range of both indoor and outdoor pursuits so that you are not disappointed either by missing out on the sun, or by having to walk around in the rain.
The Villa L'Ocean in Sainte- Marine is near the coast and considered a bed and breakfast. It is an intimate location styled like an older estate with fireplaces and pools. The sea views are simply stunning, and allow you a good chance to admire the town as well. It's in a great location for exploring the local area.
The Mercure Dinan Port Le Jerzual is a good choice for those who want to book with a familiar brand name. It sits at the base of the medieval town, and offers amenities such as a full bar and restaurant, heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and free parking. It certainly has everything that you need to make your stay a comfortable one.
For May, why not try La Villefromoy? It's a four-star hotel located in Saint-Malo, with a wonderful sense of charm and character. It has a terrace, garden, piano bar, and options for dining as well. You will have a comfortable stay in this hotel, which offers wonderful style with a classic twist.
Erquy is a small fishing village that you may want to visit thanks to its amazing beach. It forms part of a bay nestled close to the town, and when the tide goes out, it heads out so far that you can barely see it. That leaves plenty of room to explore! Sea temperatures rest on average at 14°C, so when you feel like it's too cold for a dip, you can still enjoy walking on the sand. You could even try racing the sea back to the shore! Rock pools also offer lots of opportunities for you to have fun.
Over in Lorient, you'll find plenty of dining options. One of them is L'Alsace a quai, where you will find a mixture of cuisines from Alsace and Breton. They are able to cater for vegetarians, but otherwise focus heavily on seafood, which is easy to come by here. Their meals are plated up carefully to both look and taste great.
Le Clos Margaux certainly offers upmarket dining options, with small plates that are decorated beautifully. There is a set menu which you can choose from at a fixed price depending on how many courses you wish to try. You will also find a small patio here where you can sit outside when the May weather permits.
Basilico Bistro is a must-visit for those who are fans of Italian food. This cuisine is very popular here, and an Italian proprietor takes this to a high level. Don't expect to go there and eat a simple pizza it's all about the best Italian flavours and more complicated dishes.
Travelling to Brittany in May offers plenty of entertainment and activities, like Vannes Semaine du Golfe - an event created in 2001 for maritime fans, which is all about classic yachting and sailing. Boat enthusiasts travel up the Atlantic and across the channel to take part. There is also a cultural element, with a different country each year being invited to set up a "village" near the quays with traditional crafts, food, and entertainment.
This is the perfect month to visit Cornouailles Botanical Gardens, or the Parc botanique de Cornouaille. The gardens are located in Combrit and offer an arboretum and green house with more than 3500 plants from all over the world. With indoor and outdoor attractions, you can tour as the weather permits, admiring the fresh blooms in the spring sunshine.
