November returns Brittany to temperatures akin to March with the highest average of 12°C and the coldest days dropping to 7°C. Now is arguably not the time for romantic walks along the beach and for frolicking in the, on average, 15°C sea water. You can go for a swim it's the getting out of the water into the cold air that might be a problem. Instead, plan for indoor activities and avoiding the 17 days (on average) of rainfall. Hiking in the forests to the northeast in Brittany will require gritted teeth and warm clothing, which is not at all to say that it can't be done. You just need to prepare very well when you are packing.
The average daily temperature through the month works out to about 10°C, so it is clear that France is now descending into winter once more. Don't let that put you off, however it is nothing that a warm jumper can't cure, and at this time of year there are far fewer tourists around, giving you the run of the place. You will need to plan around the fact that there are only 4 hours of sunshine a day as opposed to the 8 or 9 hours you would find in the summer, so if you want to visit monuments, plan them for peak daylight.
Around 51mm of rain will come down, so do keep an eye on the weather forecast. Even more so if you are taking a day trip to one of the nearby areas such as Angers despite the proximity, the weather can be very different, with around the same amount of rain to look out for on different days. Try to take advantage of the dry days with outdoor activities, as you will discover that you have more wet ones than not.
Hotel Cartier looks impressive, and it's certainly somewhere that you can shelter from the November weather. There are only 35 rooms here, so you can be sure of personalised service if you choose to stay. It is close to the city centre so you can explore easily whenever the skies do clear up.
In Rennes, the Hotel Anne de Bretagne offers a well-appointed and family-run option. Here you have free Wi-Fi access for all guests, as well as a bar, restaurant, and breakfast room. You are close to the medieval city, where you can admire ancient buildings as well as enjoying local amenities.
The Armoric Hotel is another great choice. Located in Benodet, it has three stars and offers a breath of fresh sea air. There is also a restaurant on site where you can enjoy traditional French cuisine, so finding dinner will always be easy. This charming white-fronted hotel has a real seaside retreat air about it, which will overpower the rain and the cold to give you that summery feeling.
For a mixture of French and American cuisine, head over to Restaurant Chez Auguste. This restaurant is mostly a creperie, but also serves some other great dishes, as well as putting together a mean coffee when you need a bit of a boost. They also have some very large cakes served from the counter, which you will be hard-pressed to resist.
For seafood prepared in the French style, try La Brigantine. The fruits of the sea are their speciality, including black lobsters, large seafood platters, and fish from the local port. Here you will also be very tempted to try a dessert or two, as they are presented beautifully with a lot of care and attention to flavour. They also serve chicken, lamb, and duck for those who want something different.
You will spend a little less at La Potiniere, but that does not mean the food is not great. This restaurant serves French food as well as pizzas and other Italian dishes. The odd cheesecake or two also makes its way into the mix! There is an area of outside seating, though the weather in November will likely force you inside the main room.
November starts to get rather quiet in terms of festivals and events, however, there is still the Ille-et-Vilaine festival of Saint-Briac-sur-mer, which moves on to become the Rennes/Bruz Festival Yauank. It is a Breton contemporary festival for music and dance.
Benodet may be best in summer with warmer beach temperatures; however, it is still well worth a stop. Located at the mouth of Odet, it is a sea inlet with a pretty sandy beach and tree lined promenade. Shops and restaurants provide great food and fun. The Carnac Stones near Carnac offer 2000 standing stones stretching over 4km of land. These stones predate the pyramids of Egypt and proudly sit near to the seaside resort, Carnac-Plage. The stones are said to be in alignment with the motions of the moon.
You could also visit L'Aquashow. This great aquarium features fish and other marine life which are all local to the region, which gives you a great chance to get to know Brittany a little better. You can also take a guided tour, or watch a live show.
