Whether you're a pilgrim or a hiker, or simply a lover of heritage and nature, the Tro Breizh, or Tour de Bretagne, has something to offer you. In this article, we'll introduce you to it, give you the Tro Breizh itinerary and give you some practical advice on how to make it a success.
What is the Tro Breizh?
The Tro Breizh itinerary links the seven towns of Brittany's founding saints, forming a very popular Catholic pilgrimage. Named after Saint-Tugdual, Saint Malo, Saint Brieuc, Saint Paul Aurelian, Saint Corentin, Saint Patern and Saint Samson, these seven monks came mainly from Wales, during the Celtic migrations of the 5th and 6th centuries, to evangelize Brittany. In doing so, they founded the region's first seven episcopal cities: Saint-Malo, Dol-de-Bretagne, Saint-Brieuc, Tréguier, Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Quimper and Vannes. These became the seven stages of this pilgrimage, which remains very popular today.
The Tro Breizh is a pilgrimage that links the seven founding episcopal cities of Brittany, over a distance of 1,250 km. Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have gathered to walk it, in the past around Easter, Pentecost, Christmas and Michaelmas. Today, pilgrims are joined all year round by enthusiasts of hiking, photography, religious architecture and nature, for whom the Tro Breizh is a major cult hike... They may do the whole tour of Brittany in one go, planning between 80 and 120 days, or they may do it in several stages, or even walk only a section. Along its looped route, which is rare for a pilgrimage, the Tro Breizh takes in not only some of Brittany's most beautiful parishes, but also its coasts, lands, menhirs, forests and villages.
Detailed Tro Breizh itinerary
The Tro Breizh itinerary comprises seven stages, which are the seven founding episcopal cities of Brittany, linked in a loop. So there's no starting or finishing point: you can start and finish wherever you like. Likewise, you can take the route in either direction. There are also variants that include Rennes and Nantes, for example, or that allow you to escape the tourism of certain sections, but here we give you the classic Tro Breizh itinerary, which is just over 1,250 km long. Each section is divided into several stages, which you can set yourself. But here are a few of them, calculated to formdays of about 20 km walking, and to stop in places of interest, including shops and pretty Breton campsites. It's also possible to bivouac in more natural areas.
Saint-Pol-de-Léon to Tréguier: 180 km
In Saint-Pol-de-Léon, you can admire the Saint-Paul-Aurélien cathedral. You'll then reach Tréguier, following the coast until just after Plougasnou, before heading inland. Along the 180 km route, you'll climb over 1,200 m in altitude. We suggest you make stops at :
- Morlaix
- Plougasnou
- Lanmeur
- Plestin-les-Grèves
- Lannion
Tréguier to Saint-Brieuc: 138 km
Arriving in Tréguier, you can admire Saint-Tugdual Cathedral, which brings so many pilgrims to the Tro Breizh route. You'll then be back on the road to Saint-Brieuc. The route is mainly inland, except for two sections along the coast, one in the middle of this magnificent hike, the other before arriving in Saint-Brieuc. You'll pass through natural landscapes that we invite you to protect by reducing your ecological footprint.
We suggest overnight stops at :
- Pontrieux (if you're taking the historic route, but the Saint-Christophe bridge now enables you to cross the Scorff at its estuary, thus avoiding a day-long detour. If you opt for this less touristy alternative, stop off directly at Paimpol.)
- Paimpol
- Lanloup
- Binic
Saint-Brieuc to Saint-Malo: 150 km
Saint-Brieuc Cathedral is one of seven stops on the Tro Breizh itinerary. You'll then set off again in the direction of Saint-Malo, on a route that includes some 2,200 m of ascent and descent. Two-thirds of the route is inland, and the last part runs along the Rance estuary to Saint-Malo. Here again, regenerative tourism is recommended to preserve nature. Here are the stages we recommend
- Morieux
- Erquy
- Pléhérel
- Matignon
- Ploubalay
Saint-Malo to Dol-de-Bretagne: 57 km
Arriving in Saint-Malo, you can enter the magnificent walled city before setting off again for Dol-de-Bretagne. This is the shortest section. On the way, you can stop off at Cancale.
Dol-de-Bretagne to Vannes: 260 km
Don't leave Dol-de-Bretagne without admiring Samson's Cathedral. Then head back to Quimper on the longest section. Along the way, you'll pass through the Brocéliande forest, a superb ecological destination. Many stages will be necessary. We suggest
- Tressé
- Dinan
- Yvignac-la-Tour
- Saint-Méen-le-Grand
- Concordet
- Paimpon
- Tréhorenteuc
- Loyat
- Josselin
- Plumelec
- Plaudren
Vannes to Quimper: 180 km
Arriving in Vannes, you can visit Saint-Pierre Cathedral before heading back to Quimper. On the way, you can stop off at :
- Ménimur
- Saint-Anne d'Auray
- Auray
- Erdeven
- Plouhinec
- Hennebont
- Pont-Scorff
- Quimperlé
- Bannalec
- Locmaria-an-Hent
Quimper to Saint-Pol-de-Léon: 280 km
Finally, you arrive in Quimper and its spectacular Saint-Corentin. The route to Saint-Pol-de-Léon then includes a number of stages:
- Locronan
- Sainte-Marie du Ménez Hom
- Le Faou
- Saint-Rivoal
- Sizun
- Guimiliau
- Penzé
Practical advice for the Tro Breizh
The northern half of the Tro Breizh route is marked with the stylized ermine symbol, representing Brittany. The black-and-white markings tell you when you're on the right path, and when to turn. The route is not entirely signposted, and is mainly so in its northern half. But it mainly follows other hiking trails, so for the most part it's well laid out and passable.
However, you'll need good hiking boots, a small first-aid kit, maps (often available from tourist offices) and water bottles. Take a plastic bag to collect your garbage and protect nature. But make sure you travel light, as you'll be carrying your bag all day. You can also opt for a luggage transport service. Some companies offer to collect your luggage from your accommodation in the morning, and deliver it to your accommodation in the evening. One such company is La Malle Postale.
Finally, don't hesitate to take detours along the route to admire some interesting sights along the way, even if it means using public transport to get off the route, or why not hitchhike.
For more great walks in France, take a look at our articles on the most beautiful hikes in the Alps, the most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees, or the most beautiful hikes in Auvergne.
