Le Manoir du Guern has gone through many incarnations in its near-500-year history: baronial manor, religious presbytery, dilapidated wreck – and now a gorgeous year-round B&B brimming with character and charm.
Surrounded by the lush landscape of Brittany, and run by Bernard and Frederique, the Manoir’s four rooms and two gites offer a peaceful escape for those who like a touch of elegance with their rural charm. There are the classic elements of a French manor house – sturdy stone walls, pitched slate roof, intricate woodwork and stone masonry, and arched windows that allow natural light to flood the interior spaces. The main living area boasts exposed beams, stone fireplace, and antique furnishings, while the guest rooms are decorated with vintage furniture, rich fabrics, and ornate details highlighting their aristocratic past. Modern amenities are skillfully integrated without compromising character. These include a heated indoor swimming pool and sauna, fantastic breakfasts served in the Manoir's kitchen, and several lounges to relax in. There are bikes, surf boards and fishing rods to borrow, plus pétanque and table tennis to enjoy. The beautiful Gulf of Morbihan is just down the road for nature-lovers and those who like messing about in boats, and the wild Atlantic coastline is a short drive away. This is a lovely location whether you want to enjoy a short break or need a base to explore this quintessential region of France.
Highs
- The heated indoor swimming pool, with sun loungers, glass roof, and adjacent sauna, is a perfect place to kick back and relax
- Great location for exploring unspoiled western Brittany, with the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Morbihan just a short drive away, plus a plethora of charming neighbouring villages and beautiful countryside to cycle or stroll around
- Six hectares of grounds to discover, including woods and orchards
- Flexible sleeping arrangements with most rooms offering the choice between a kingsize or two single beds, plus two gites (sleeping 2-5) for families and/or small groups
Lows
- You’ll usually need to drive out for lunch and evening meals, although dinner can be prepared at the hotel if requested in advance (3 days’ notice required)
- Public transport is quite limited so a car is a must if you want to go exploring. The nearest sights (such as medieval Auray) are a few kilometres away
- The moat isn’t protected by guard rails so young children will have to be carefully watched
- The decor in the cottages is more functional than stylish compared to the rooms
Best time to go
There is no ‘best’ time to visit Brittany – it all depends on what you’re looking for. Spring is warm (around 15-18°C) and less crowded, summer is hotter but rarely sweltering (average 21°C) and busier at weekends than weekdays - it is also when the calendar is packed with festivals and celebrations. Autumn is mild and quiet and excellent for hiking and cycling. Winter is chilly rather than cold but can be wet and blustery, although the local towns are glittering with Christmas markets.
Our top tips
A great day out is a cruise to one of the Morbihan Islands just off the coast – Belle-Ile-en-Mer, Houat, Hoedic, Groix etc. You can grab a skipper to the island of your choice (30-50 minutes), and get off and explore. We’d recommend Ile d’Arz Island, the second largest. It’s great for walking due to its varied landscape, and it has a quaint village and fabulous beach. Some companies offer day cruises to a couple of the islands.
- Rural guesthouse
- 4 rooms + 2 cottages for 2-4
- Breakfast daily; other meals on request
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Sauna
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
There are four B&B rooms in the main Manoir, each sleeping two people (the two larger rooms can accommodate an extra bed), and two self-catering gites across the inner courtyard, which can sleep 4-5. Each bedroom has a kingsize bed, with the option to have twins in all but Saint Agoustan.
The B&B bedrooms all have ensuite shower bathrooms and are individually decorated. Ochre-hued Nostang features period woodwork and parquet flooring, and overlooks the orchard. Étel has antique furniture, a stone fireplace and tiled flooring as well as a work area. Sainte Barbe overlooks the moat, while the south-facing Saint Goustan is bathed in light and has a view over the interior courtyard. All rooms have herbal teas supplied - a nice touch.
The two self-catering gites are pretty identical in layout and positioning, right by the courtyard entrance, beside the bridge over the moat. Each is a two-storey cottage with a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area and living room on the ground floor, and two bedrooms upstairs, each with ensuite bathrooms with showers. Gîte Le Bono features hemp lime walls and terracotta floor tiles, and it has direct access to the swimming pool and sauna. Gîte L'Erdeven is lighter due to its large windows and has a private terrace overlooking the moat.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Hairdryer
- Pool towels
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
For those in the B&B rooms, Frederique prepares breakfast every morning. The menu changes according to the season, but you can expect classic French – coffee, pastries, bread, meats etc – plus eggs to order. Dinner can also be prepared by prior arrangement (you'll need to book 3 days ahead) – dishes include the house planche of local hams and cheeses and salads. There can be barbecues arranged in season on the long, west-facing terrace too.
If staying in the gites, you have a full kitchen with fridge-freezer, oven, hob, coffee maker and dishwasher to play with plus a barbecue. You'll find homemade apple juice and espresso tablets on arrival, and can opt into breakfasts in the Manoir if you want. It's just a two-minute drive to the village of Pluvigner which has a bakery, bar and supermarket. Local markets include Auray on Mondays, Vannes on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Carnac on Wednesdays and Sundays.
For those wanting to sample the region's culinary delights, there are plenty of good quality eateries within easy reach. The menus tend towards classic French although Lebanese and Mediterranean also feature. Regional specialities include scallops (eaten in a buttery cream sauce called Coquille Saint Jacques), sardines, pork, moules marinières, and, of course, the ever-present crepes. You can have them with lemon and sugar, but be sure to try the Breton galette, which is a main course of crepe with savoury filling – ham, cheese and egg, or the hotdog-style galette saucisse (sausage wrapped in galette). Kouign amann is another regional treat – a chewy buttery cake made from croissant dough. And the Bretons are proud of their caramels – made with high grade salt from the salt flats at Guérande.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Kids' meals
Activities
- The many on-site activities include pétanque, boules, 6 hectares of park to explore, a library, swimming – even fishing in the manor’s very own moat!
- Auray, just a few kilometres away, is a beautiful town with a picturesque port and a huge Monday market. It's a great place to have dinner overlooking the water
- Arty and buzzy Vannes (around 18km away) has pedestrianised cobbled streets lined with sculptures and murals and is packed with studios, galleries, craft beer bars, surf ‘n turf eateries and upmarket boutiques
- If the weather holds, head to Erdeven, a string of unspoiled beaches that stretch for miles beside the Atlantic. Diving, sailing, surfing and kite-surfing are widely available (best at St Barbe and Quiberon), but there are also nature trails peppered with megaliths and stunning views
- Beautiful Regional Natural Park Gulf of Morbihan is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity in habitats that include protected wild sand dunes, salt meadows, wetlands and pine forests
- The area around the Gulf features an incredible range of megalithic monuments - passage dolmens, pyramids with underground chambers, stone circles, and giant menhirs (some ruins date to at least 3,300 BC)
- History buffs will love the medieval architecture of the area, especially the imposing St Anne D’Auray, the basilica of the patron saint of Brittany
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boules
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Historical sites
- Kitesurfing
- Shopping / markets
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Table tennis
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome but do note that the moat is not cordoned off, so young kids need to be careful. There are extra beds, high chairs and babysitting services available.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The two gites are perfect for families as they are self-contained with their own private entrances. They have a full kitchen apiece for easy self-catering, and two bedrooms upstairs which can be doubles or twins. In the manor, twin beds are available in three of the bedrooms, and both Nostang and Saint Barbe can take an extra bed.
Extra Beds Available
Children's meals:
If staying in the Manoir rooms and eating in for dinner, kid-friendly dishes can be prepared with advance notice.
Distances:
- Airport: 1hr45m
- Shops: 5 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Manoir du Guern is situated around 3 kilometres from the town of Auray in Brittany, inland from the western Atlantic coast of France.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Nantes Atlantique, around 140 km away.
From the Airport
Car rental is available at Nantes airport, but there is also a train from the airport to Auray (usually one change). The train takes on average 3 hours.
By Road
By Eurotunnel, London to Auray is roughly a 10-hour drive. By ferry it takes approximately the same amount of time.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Nantes Atlantique Airport 140.0 km NTE
Other:
- Beach 26.0 km
- Shops 5.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km