Some regions reveal themselves differently according to the season. Brittany never reveals itself more than in autumn. When the mist flies over the lakes, the forests take on ochre and russet hues, and legends seem to whisper between two drops of rain… It’s in this magical setting that we hit the road again for a long weekend during the All Saints’ school vacations, this time aboard a converted van, for an escapade between lakes, enchanted forests and Brittany’s mountains.
A year earlier, we had already fallen under the spell of Brittany from the inside. First during a home exchange via the HomeExchange platform. We missed Antony’s fireplace in his first house too much! So we specially selected a house where we could once again enjoy evenings by the fire. We had enjoyed hiking around Lac de Guerlédan. The memories of these wild, untouched natural landscapes left a particular impression on me. The same was true of the Monts d’Arrée, which we’d had the opportunity to discover in a duo with sled dogs! Antony, who knew my affection for animals, had offered me a cani-cross outing in this magnificent playground.
We promised to come back. But differently. Freer. Closer to the elements. That’s how we came up with the idea of touring this mysterious Brittany in a van – in the spirit of movement and simplicityI’ve already had the opportunity to talk about this in my last article on our experience of living in a converted van for two months. In it, I tell you how we fell in love with this way of traveling and living.
Travel Camping: the spirit of freedom
This long weekend road trip was made possible by Travel Campera fine company based in the Pays de Retz, my childhood home.
I love their philosophy: that of a freedom that’s both simple and true, a return to basics. They were forerunners in the history of van rental, at a time when the “vanlife” was becoming more and more popular. vanlife “was still just a dream of bohemian escapism.
The story begins with Wilfried Alteiracwho already owned a 1978 Volkswagen Combi T2, an emblematic model that introduced him to the road, travel and the nomadic spirit. In 2009, during a trip to Australia, he was won over by the concept of renting out converted vans. Back in France, he shared this vision with his friend Maël Cussonneauand together they founded Travel Camper in 2011.
Wilfried and Maël started out by renting out vans, but they quickly understood and followed the expectations of the market and of van-lifers. As early as 2015, the company added a real outfitting component to rental: today, all their vans are designed, outfitted and optimized in their workshop, to offer robustness, comfort and autonomy. It’s possible to rent, but also to buy the vans they equip!
Travel Camper and the team we met embody what we love so much: the union of passion (for legendary Combi vans), craftsmanship (vehicle design) and freedom (rental for adventure). When they agreed to collaborate with us and offered to test their latest model, the Explorer, it was like going back to basics – in a nomadic and authentic spirit.
The Explorer van: our adventure cocoon
This van is the definition of the essential. The Explorer is a Volkswagen T6.1, equipped with a 2.0 TDI 150 hp engine, ideal for Brittany’s roads. The DSG 7 automatic gearbox makes driving super-smooth and pleasant, even for girls like me, who prefer the role of co-pilot, to focus on the music and the spots not to be missed. And since your sweetheart no longer has to worry about shifting gears, you can rest your head on his shoulder and hold his hand. How romantic!
Tested and approved, the Android auto and Apple Car Play apps. Super convenient to connect your phone directly to WAZE, Maps (more practical than the van’s GPS) or our playlists. The van is also equipped with a reversing camera and front and rear radars. Really handy when you haven’t yet mastered the length of the vehicle.
Inside the van, there’snothing superfluous, but everything you need to be comfortable for two. If the van doesn’t have a pop-up roof, a 2-seater bed (200 x 120 cm) is available inside, and super-easy to install (in less than 30 sec!). For even greater comfort, Travel Camper offers optional mattress toppers. We loved the view when we opened the trunk in the early hours of the morning.
In the evening, it’s also perfect for impromptu sunsets. Other plus points : lots of clever storage space, a highly functional gas hob, and above all, an ingenious 15-liter water system, with a sink large enough for dishes and a small fridge, perfect for preparing a picnic or a romantic meal.
On the other hand, let’s face it, it was cool in the mornings and evenings. The van we were lent was not equipped with a stationary heater. But rest assured, all other Travel Camper vans have them, and good news: in future, Explorer vans will also have the right to a stationary heater!
Ditto for the shower, no hot water available in this model. But that’s what experience is all about! Living differently, far from your own comfort. So we adapt, we cover up, we pack warmer clothes, we prepare soups and we anticipate by planning a stopover in an aquatic area during the stay.
It’s this kind of simplicity that we love about vanlife: the kind that doesn’t try to do too much, but allows us to feel completely free.
Now that we’ve taken a tour of the van, let’s take a look back at our road trip, including a presentation of the spots that enchanted us.
Itinerary between Lac de Guerlédan and the Monts d’Arrée
Day 1 – Lake Guerlédan and Abbaye de Bon-Repos Abbey first mists, first wonders.
From the very first kilometers, the magic happens. Leaves twirl on the road, fine rain beads on the windscreen. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Lac de Guerlédan, a vast mirror of water bordered by flamboyant forests. A land that might remind you of Canada.
With 40 km of signposted trails, the tour of the lake allows you to explore picturesque landscapes, thanks in particular to a number of belvederes offering breathtaking views of the lake’s turquoise waters. The trails are mainly marked by the GR341, and are accessible to hikers of all abilities.
But behind this mildness lies a surprising history: the lake is man-made. It was formed following the construction of the Guerlédan dam, a project begun in the 1920s to hold back the waters of the Blavet and generate electricity. The lake, several kilometers long and deep at the foot of the dam, is now the largest artificial lake in Brittany. The creation of the dam flooded an ancient valley and when the lake is emptiedWhen the lake is regularly emptied, remnants of the life that once occupied it can sometimes be seen: houses, plots of land, pieces of road… An almost lunar landscape revealing layers of history.
Out of season, the peace and quiet is absolute. We set up our van opposite the poetic Abbaye de Bon-Repos. A dryers are available and very clean, a very practical little luxury that allows us to rest perfectly and wake up to a gentle view.
Tip For practical needs(emptying waste water, filling up with water, toilets), the Guerlédan train station parking lot is ideal. And just around the corner, you’ll find an Intermarché for filling up or doing a little shopping. Across the street, a local store offers delicacies such as – crêpes, galettes, cookies, drinks… All you need to enjoy the best Breton specialities. The Guerlédan brasserie is also a great place to sample locally brewed beers.
Day 2 – Corong Gorge and Saints Valleybetween legends and granite giants
The next day, we head for the Gorges du Corong, a mass of granite that the Follezou River has been sculpting for millennia. The rounded boulders, dense moss and winding streams give the site an almost magical atmosphere, as if giants had arranged the stones as they wished. According to Breton legend, it was the giant Boudédé who scattered the boulders across the valley.
The gorges are part of the Locarn moors, a 350-hectare protected area where moors, peat bogs and rocky chaos coexist with remarkable biodiversity. The path that crosses the site allows you to admire each rock, and feel the mystical force of this place, amplified by the golden light of autumn, and the leaves that carpet the ground.
Besides, the site isn’t exactly easy to access. I recommend using Google Maps to get there, rather than Waze, which took us to the other side of the gorge.
Then comes the Valley of the Saints. The place is touristy, but surprising and worth a visit. It’s aa real collective project that took shape in 2008, and today brings together several hundred monumental granite sculptures by contemporary sculptors. It’s a sort of Breton Easter Island: each statue is the work of a different artist.work of a different artistEach statue is the work of a different artist, inspired by the tradition of Breton saints and legendary figures. The project aims to preserve and promote Breton popular culture through sculpture, and the site invites visitors on an artistic and spiritual journey in the heart of nature.
After this last escapade, we headed for Carhaix for our second stopover. We chose a convenient location rather far from Carhaix: near the rue de l’église in the nearby village of Le Moustoirwith public toilets and ample parking. Although Sunday mornings can be punctuated by the sound of the church bell, the location remains ideal for a safe and comfortable stop.
We also chose this stop because we had planned to spend the next morning relaxing. to theEspace Aqualudique du Poher Plijadour, for a hot shower and a moment of well-being in the space, which offers a sauna and hammam in addition to the municipal swimming pool.
Practical If you’d like to dine in the area, there are two well-known addresses in Carhaix worth a visit : Ty Gwechallcreperie and Le Renard et la Belette creperie. These restaurants are very popular. I recommend that you book in advance.
Day 3 – The Huelgoatêt de Huelgoat: the kingdom of fairies and the Devil
In the late morning, we head for Huelgoat, a must-see for nature and mystery lovers.
The lake, at the hearture of the village, reflectsgolden foliage. It’s an idyllic landscape to contemplate during a lunch break. And that’s the magic of van travel: being able to stop whenever and wherever you like.
The Huelgoat forest is a must-see for any traveler in search of mystery. Autumn transforms the forest into an enchanted stage: mists, red and gold leaves, rocks sculpted by time and pretty green moss on these blocks of stone. Every trail seems to be a passageway to another world, populated by strangely shaped rocks: among our favourites are the famous Roche Tremblante, the Grotte du Diable and the Champignon. Every stone, every stream whispers an ancient legend, amplifying the feeling of being immersed in an autumn fairytale.
The trembling rock: this 137-ton block of granite rests in balance and can sway slightly when pushed. Legend has it that this boulder is a projectile launched by the giant Gargantua.
The Devil’s Grotto: situated beneath gigantic granite blocks, you can see the water seemingly unleashed, and the light coming in almost supernaturally. It is said that a revolutionary hid there, casting a frightening shadow that led pursuers to believe he was the Devil. Another legend evokes a passageway to hell, punctuated by 99 inns where the devil awaits the unwary.
Le Champignon: a huge mushroom-shaped granite boulder, it appears to be a vestige of an ancient world, a witness to the legends and imagination of the forest. Its unusual shape contributes to the enchanting, mysterious atmosphere.
Day 4 – The Monts d’Arrée and Brennilis: at the gates of Breton hell
For our last evening, we took advantage of a clear day to head for the heights of the Monts d’Arrée, an ideal location for an impromptu van shoot. We then chose a secluded spot below near Brennilis lake, in the heart of the Monts d’Arrrée .œur des Monts d’Arrée. The address: 1220 ZA Parc d’Entreprises. It’s right up against the dam. Even if the view isn’t idyllic, we’re alone in the world, with convenient public toilets once again. The next day or in the evening, the spot allows us to stroll along the lake and enjoy the direct view of the Monts d’Arrée.
Here again, geology and legend mingle: the Monts d’Arrée are an ancient massif, shaped hundreds of millions of years ago, and once much higher before erosion. Today, their moderate peaks tower over sparse moorland and peat bogs. – and where the soil retains water and the vegetation forms a living, fragile carpet.
Return via Pont-Aven: Breton delights and the last breath of autumn
In the morning, we set off to explore Mont Saint-Michel in Brasparts, dominating the moor and offering dramatic panoramas: rocks, wind, distant horizons. The cold stings, the moor rumbles in the wind, but the emotion warms everything up.
On the way back, we stop off in Pont-Aven Pont-Aven, the village of painters and flavors. A lunch stop at Aven Ice Café to sample their buckwheat waffles – a delice! And of course, we can’t leave without a kouign-amann or a Breton cake from Maison Le Darz. One lastgourmet wink to this generous and authentic Brittany.
This weekend in Brittany was an interlude.
A moment suspended between hot and cold, between rain and light, between the comfort of the van and the harshness of the wind. Autumn is the season I love so much: a time to slow down, contemplate and reconnect with what’s essential.
As I rode along these chestnut-lined roads, I kept telling myself that this is what vanlife is all about: letting yourself go, not planning too much, just being there. And when the engine dies down in the evening, silence settles in and night falls over the moors, you realize that the real treasure is time. The time you take. The time you share. The time you live.
I hope that with this article, I’ve also inspired you to take off on a van life trip and discover some of the magical, but still little-known, regions close to home. If so, I’ve got a present for you! Travel Camper is offering a 5% discount on your next booking, valid until 31/03/2026 with the code: J&S2025!
Don’t hesitate if you have any questions. I’ll be happy to answer them.
See you soon!
