Family trip to La Baule: five days on the Atlantic coast of Brittany

Route

The journey starts in Brussels with a stop in Angers, halfway along the eight-hour drive to La Baule. Once on the Atlantic coast, the Hermitage Barrière becomes your base. From here, you explore La Baule’s wide sandy beach, the medieval walled town of Guérande and its salt marshes, and the fishing village of Le Pouliguen with its coastal path and the Korrigans caves.

Pace

A family trip combining beach time, culture and active outings. Relaxed mornings on the sand alternate with bike rides past 19th-century villas, an interactive discovery of the salt marshes and creative workshops in the kids club.

Highlights

Pêche à pied at low tide on La Baule’s beach, Manuel’s handmade Niniches, a family tour through the Guérande salt marshes, the Korrigans caves in Le Pouliguen and the Studio by Petit VIP where children write their own short film or record a soundtrack.

Accommodation

Four nights at the Hermitage Barrière in La Baule, a grand seaside hotel directly on the beach with heated seawater pools, a fully equipped kids club and one of the strongest family concepts on the Atlantic coast.

Profile

For families looking for more than just a sun lounger and a swimming pool.

Day 1: Towards the Ocean – Brussels – Angers – La Baule

La Baule is about an eight-hour drive from Brussels. Angers sits halfway and deserves more than a quick stop. Stroll through the historic centre, visit the impressive château overlooking the Maine River or enjoy lunch on a terrace. Compact and easy to explore on foot, it offers a pleasant break before the final stretch. Upon arrival at the Hermitage Barrière, a welcome gift awaits the children. The hotel’s attention to younger guests is clear from the very first moment.

Day 2: Beach Life and Pêche à Pied in La Baule

La Baule boasts seven kilometres of uninterrupted sandy beach, one of the longest in Europe. Rent a blue-and-white striped beach cabin, a local classic, and use it as your base for the day. At low tide, the sea retreats dramatically, revealing rock pools teeming with life: crabs, shrimp and tiny starfish. Children stay entertained for hours. This traditional activity, known as pêche à pied, requires nothing more than a bucket and patience. For babies from ten weeks, the Babiwi Club at neighbouring Le Royal provides professional care, while teenagers gather at the Teen’s Hub for video games, table football and sporty challenges. In the evening, dine at Eden Beach, the hotel’s beachfront restaurant. Special Petit VIP menus present children’s dishes in a healthier and more creative way. As seafood platters arrive at your table, the children play barefoot in the sand.

Day 3: Cycling Through La Baule and Creating at Studio by Petit VIP

Studio by Petit VIP redefines the traditional kids club. Inspired by the ten major arts, children write scripts, record soundtracks or create artwork. The guidance is professional and engaging enough to keep teenagers interested. In the afternoon, hop on a bike. The hotel provides children’s bikes and seats. Cycle along shaded avenues lined with 19th-century villas towards Parc des Dryades, a playground hidden within a Japanese-style garden and one of the city’s quieter gems. On the way, stop at Manuel’s for a Niniche. These handmade lollipops have been crafted since 1946: slender sticks topped with caramelised sugar in unique flavours. A true La Baule tradition.

Day 4: The Salt Marshes of Guérande and the Caves of Le Pouliguen

A thirty-minute drive takes you to Guérande, one of Brittany’s best-preserved medieval walled towns. Walk along the ramparts and take in the sweeping views over the salt marshes stretching to the horizon. In the Marais Salants, book a family tour with Terre de Sel. Guides explain the salt-harvesting process interactively, often allowing children to try collecting salt themselves. For younger visitors, a small train crosses the marshes at a relaxed pace. Later, head to Le Pouliguen, the neighbouring fishing village. Its small harbour feels intimate, and along the coastal cliff path you will find the Korrigans caves. According to Breton legend, these are home to mischievous creatures, turning an ordinary walk into a magical adventure for imaginative children. In the evening, the kids club takes over, including dinner and themed activities, giving you time to unwind at the Spa Diane Barrière.

Day 5: Homeward Bound – or Another Week by the Atlantic

The final morning belongs to the pools. The hotel features two, one indoor and one outdoor, both heated with seawater. Take your time. Enjoy one last moules-frites at Ciro’s on the boulevard before heading home. If five days feel too short, simply extend your stay. A boat trip across the bay, another padel session or one more quiet morning on the beach.