ALL SAINTS’ DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE: FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN THE HEART OF BRITTANY

At All Saints’ Day, the light begins to change across Brittany. The woodland paths are covered with copper coloured leaves, mist lingers above the ponds and the crisper air invites long walks before returning to the warmth of a country house. Around Missillac, between the Brière Regional Natural Park, the Guérande Peninsula and the Loire Estuary, autumn is the perfect season for family days filled with nature, heritage and unexpected discoveries.

From Domaine de la Bretesche, nestled within a 200 hectare estate, the region can be explored at a leisurely pace. Trips through the marshes, animals roaming in semi freedom, a medieval fortress, salt marshes and maritime adventures: discover our selection of activities for an All Saints’ Day holiday in Brittany, designed for children and adults alike.

 

 

EXPLORE THE ESTATE
in its autumn colours

The first adventure begins just outside your bedroom door. Within the grounds of Domaine de la Bretesche, paths wind through woodland, meadows and leafy groves overlooking the fifteenth century château. In autumn, every walk naturally becomes a game of observation: identifying trees, collecting the most beautiful leaves, listening to the birds or following the château’s reflection across the lake.

A local legend tells that the estate was rebuilt following the destruction ordered by Cardinal Richelieu in the seventeenth century. Today, the château remains a private property, but its silhouette accompanies every walk and easily captures the imagination of younger guests.

Families can also enjoy the tennis court, discover the estate’s kitchen garden or head to the indoor swimming pool when the weather turns cooler. Our advice: set out for a walk in the late morning once the dew has lifted, then end the day with an afternoon treat or a hot chocolate upon your return.

 

GLIDE ACROSS THE CALM WATERS
of the Brière

Just a few minutes from the hotel, the Brière Regional Natural Park reveals a distinctive landscape of canals, wet meadows, reed beds and villages with thatched cottages. When excursions are available in October, boarding a traditional chaland offers an opportunity to discover the marshes at water level, in a silence broken only by the passing of a bird.

These traditional flat bottomed boats were once essential to local residents, allowing them to travel, transport crops and move between the islands of the marshes. Today, they give children the feeling of setting off on an expedition through an almost secret landscape.

The trip may begin at the port of Bréca or the port of Rozé, depending on the available departures and weather conditions. As schedules vary during autumn, booking in advance and confirming the excursion on the day are recommended.

After the boat trip, visit the village of Kerhinet, which is freely accessible throughout the year. Its restored thatched cottages offer an insight into the traditional architecture of the Brière region. For lunch, Les Canailles du Marais, located in a former hunting lodge in Bréca, provides a welcoming stop in the heart of the natural park.

 

MEET THE ANIMALS
at Branféré

At Branféré Animal Park, the day feels like a true expedition. More than 1,500 animals live within an extensive botanical park, where many species roam in semi freedom. Wallabies, giraffes, red pandas, lemurs and birds accompany visitors along a trail filled with educational activities and play areas.

The estate was created by Paul and Hélène Jourde, who wanted to imagine a place where animals would be given more space. Bequeathed to the Fondation de France at the end of the 1980s, Branféré is now the only animal park in France owned by a recognised public interest foundation. Its profits are reinvested in wildlife protection and environmental education.

During the 2026 All Saints’ Day holiday, from 17 October to 1 November, the park is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Trampo’ Nature, an extensive course of suspended nets among the trees, opens from 10.45 am.

As evening falls, Les Nuits de Branféré extends the experience with a sound and light trail lasting approximately one and a half to two hours. Animals are not presented during this walk in order to respect their natural rhythm. A refreshment area serves hot drinks and sweet treats, making it a convenient place to wait between the daytime visit and the evening trail. Booking is particularly recommended during the school holidays.

 

 

PLAY AT BEING EXPLORERS
at Ranrouët Castle

In Herbignac, the ruins of Ranrouët Castle appear to have emerged from a tale of knights and adventure. Towers, curtain walls, moats and the remains of fortifications reveal several centuries of history in a setting surrounded by nature.

The castle has a rare architectural feature: it brings together several successive defensive systems, from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Children can observe how the walls evolved with the development of artillery while imagining daily life behind the ramparts.

In October 2026, the site is generally open in the afternoon from 2 pm to 6 pm, with extended opening hours on selected days during the school holidays. The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes, and the final ticket is issued 45 minutes before closing. From April to November, the castle also offers storytelling sessions, puzzle games and family workshops, subject to advance booking.

 

DISCOVER THE SECRETS
of salt in Guérande

The Guérande salt marshes offer another way to understand the Breton landscape. At Terre de Sel, family tours explain the movement of the water, the roles played by the wind and sun, and the meticulous work of the salt workers.

One fact often fascinates children: fleur de sel does not form at the bottom of the salt pans, but on the surface, like a delicate layer of crystals. It is carefully collected using a tool known as a lousse, while coarse salt is gathered from the bottom of the œillet salt pan with a long tool called a las.

Excursions generally last between one and a half and two hours and take place outdoors. Booking is recommended, as are shoes suitable for damp paths. In October, the low autumn light is reflected across the pools, giving the salt marshes particularly photogenic shades of silver.

After the visit, head to the medieval town of Guérande to walk along the ramparts and explore the cobbled streets surrounding the Saint Aubin Collegiate Church. For a gourmet break, Goût’Thé welcomes families from breakfast through to afternoon tea, with seats beside the fireplace when the temperatures begin to fall.

 

SET SAIL IN SAINT NAZAIRE
on rainy days

When the weather calls for an indoor activity, Escal’Atlantic is an excellent alternative. Located inside the former submarine base in Saint Nazaire, this immersive experience recreates the world of the great transatlantic ocean liners through decks, corridors, cabins, an engine room and historic objects.

Children are not simply visiting a traditional museum: they symbolically embark upon an ocean crossing. Some of the settings and objects on display come from genuine ocean liners, including the Normandie and the France, two ships that became icons of the art of travel during the twentieth century.

The self guided visit lasts approximately one and a half hours and must be booked for a specific time slot. A guided family tour is usually offered at 10.30 am until 1 November. As the experience extends across three levels and includes numerous staircases, large pushchairs are not recommended.

Inside, the Escal’Atlantic bar offers an opportunity to take a break in a setting inspired by the France ocean liner. Families with more time can then visit the Écomusée, located approximately 800 metres away, or admire views over the estuary from the roof of the submarine base. A combined ticket provides access to both Escal’Atlantic and the Écomusée on the same day.

 

 

ENJOY AN ALL SAINTS’ DAY FAMILY HOLIDAY
at La Bretesche

Back at Domaine de la Bretesche, silence returns to the grounds as the lights gradually come on opposite the château. To extend this family escape, the Villas offer a particularly suitable setting. Located within the former sheepfold, just a short walk from the hotel, they can accommodate up to four guests in spaces ranging from 40 to 60 square metres. Parents and children can enjoy two separate bedrooms and their own bathrooms, while sharing a living room, dining area, fully equipped kitchenette and private terrace overlooking the surrounding nature.

Children can continue their adventures while adults savour the restored sense of calm, before everyone comes together over dinner or a hot drink. Combining nature, heritage and the gentle atmosphere of a country house, Domaine de la Bretesche is the ideal base from which to discover Brittany as a family in autumn.