From the house, on foot
- The green lighthouse, at the end of the left bank: the first walk, and the first drawing
- The harbour: boats coming in, lobster pots, seagulls
- The coves along the coastal path at low tide, for rock pooling
- The GR34 towards Le Pouldu, in stretches suited to little legs
Toddlers, ages 0 - 3
- The sheltered beaches of Les Grands Sables and Kerfany, with lifeguards in summer
- The summer family meet-ups (ages 0 - 6) run by Quimperlé Communauté on Bellangenêt beach
- The Saturday morning market in Clohars-Carnoët
- The play area for ages 2 - 6 at the Cité de la Voile in Lorient, on windy days
For organising the house, see our page Holidays with a baby.
Ages 4 - 7
"Moussaillon" sailing in Le Pouldu
The Le Pouldu sailing centre, place de l'Océan, runs introductory sailing courses in summer from age 4, on small boats designed for them. Places go fast in July and August: book before you arrive.
Rock pooling
Bucket, net, wellies: at low tide, the coves below the path become a playground. The rules and good habits are in our guide.
Gauguin, the fun way
In Le Pouldu, the Gauguin interpretation centre, L'Atelier du Pouldu, offers game-based visits to discover the painters who lived there.
Groix by bike
The bike hire shops in Port-Tudy have child seats and trailers. A day on the island facing the house: see our Groix guide.
Ages 8 - 12
- Optimist dinghies and catamarans in Le Pouldu: the sailing club runs courses by age group, Optimists around 8 - 10, catamarans from 10
- The Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly in Lorient (30 minutes): an interactive sailing exhibition and, since autumn 2024, the Cité des Moussaillons for ages 2 - 12, with a 14-metre sailing boat to explore
- The Saint-Maurice abbey site on the banks of the Laïta: nature trail and forest walks
- The coastal path to Le Pouldu, in half a day
Teenagers
- Surfing on Le Kérou beach in Le Pouldu, with the surf school next door
- Cycling round Groix: a proper day of sport
- Kayaking and paddleboarding at Kerfany
- The Interceltic Festival in Lorient, in August: concerts, parades, Breton pipe bands
Rainy days
It does rain in Brittany, rarely all day. Our fall-back plan:
- The Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly in Lorient: allow at least two hours, more with the Cité des Moussaillons. Book during the school holidays
- The Aquapaq swimming pool in Quimperlé (15 minutes): paddling pool and water games for little ones, slide and wave pool for the bigger ones
- The Haras national d'Hennebont stud farm: the stables, then an equestrian show
- Pont-Aven (20 minutes): the mills, the galleries, the biscuits
- The house: throws, games, underfloor heating, and the sea raging behind the bay window
Opening times, prices and programmes change every season: check each venue's website before you set off. We update this guide as we go.