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Brittany’s Emerald Coast is a family holiday gem

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Are on the lookout for a great family holiday? We chatted to Lesley Willis about Brittany’s Emerald Coast and her selection of amazing child-friendly gites in Hénansal near St Malo.

Says Leslie: “We were first attracted to Brittany because it wasn’t too hot but was warmer than the UK, was quite close to all the ports and once we visited it, we fell in love with the countryside and the coast – the beaches near us are hidden gems and deserve the Emerald Coast nickname!

Fort on the Brittany coast

Fort La Latte, a gem of Brittany’s Emerald Coast

“We have 7 properties that we rent as holiday cottages. Originally La Touche was a working farm but the owners retired and sold up. They still live nearby and love what we have done with the place.

“We spent two years renovating the farm buildings, trying to keep as many original features as we could whilst making sure they were modern and comfortable.  We wanted to create a place that families would love – modern and safe cottages but with lots of facilities for the little ones.  After all, if the children are happy then the parents are normally happy.

Food and drink
“Each gite is a little different, but what makes our site special is the bar. Ours really is a very social place where families can meet other families and they can socialise together.

“We also offer catering options so parents really have the chance to relax and feel like they are on holiday too.

Emerald coast
“The beaches are definitely the highlight of the local area, however there are also the towns of St Malo and Dinan nearby, an aquarium, zoo, chateaux and amusement parks.  There is beautiful countryside, walks galore and of course fabulous French markets every day of the week if you want.

“One of our favourite local attractions is Fort La Latte.  It is an old mediaeval fort that juts out into the sea at Cap Frehel which is a beautiful coastal area.  The views are magnificent and children and adults love the place.   A couple of times a year there is a medieval festival held at the Fort which is brilliant fun.

“In 2014 we are just looking forward to another good year.  Hopefully the weather will be as good as last year and we will have lots of happy families and lots of happy children.  I love hearing all the children laughing and enjoying themselves in the gardens, it is lovely to see.”

Click here to find out more about Lesley’s Emerald Coast gites in Brittany.

Meet the Gite Owners: David & Nicola Warren, La Motte Parent

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Meet David and Nicola Warren, the owners of La Motte Parent Gites gites in Brittany:

La Motte Parent

Q: How long have you lived / owned your gite in France?
We signed the final parts of the contracts for La Garenne and La Pompe on the 23rd April 2010 on the assumption that, if the date was good enough for St. George and Shakespeare, it was good enough for us. We spent the first summer doing them up and bringing them up to the standard that we would expect from first class gite accommodation. Not that they were in poor condition it was mainly decorating but they both needed wood treatment and La Pompe needed a kitchen area. 2011 was our first renting-out season.

Q: What do you love about France?
There are many things we love about France including, obviously, the food but, above all, it is the slower and quieter pace of life that is so much more conducive to relaxation than at home.

Q: What made you choose the region in which you have settled?
We wanted somewhere that is within easy reach of the UK but with an entirely different culture. Having spent many a happy holiday in the Region when the kids were young we knew Brittany fairly well and, in the event, it turned out to be both where we began and where we ended our search.

Q: Tell us three things you like best about your Gite
Our gites are set on the edge of the small town of Plouguenast and look out over open countryside yet we are within walking distance of the local shops and amenities. Above all we like the peace and quiet.

La Motte Parent

Q: What one thing would your previous guests say about your Gite?
I think it would be ‘comfort’. We have done as much as we can to make the gites feel like a home from home.

Q: What is your favourite attraction near to your Gite?
I would say the beach at Les Godelins near St. Brieuc where steps take you down to a long stretch of sandy beach. It is about 40 mins. by car. The sea there is excellent for bathing and there is a bar / cafe in which to relax afterwards. My wife would probably say the riding centre at Loudeac, though.

Q: What’s the oddest thing about the French culture that you’ve experienced?
It has to be the seeming impossibility to get things done from time to time. Even the simplest things can occasionally be ‘like pulling teeth’. On these occasions we have to remember that one of the reasons we chose France was because of its ‘lay-back’ culture.

Q: Which do you prefer and why – Entrecote Frites, Fish ‘n’ Chips or a good curry?
When in the UK we miss the the type of Entrecote et Frites that only the French can make but, when in France, especially after a couple of weeks, it definitely has to be Fish and Chips.

Thank you David and Nicola. Visit their website at ParentGites.com.