How much does the Gulf of Morbihan private tour cost?

Half-day tours start from €650 and full-day tours from €900, per vehicle for the whole group of 1 to 7 passengers, never per person. Most quotes come in above these figures, depending on your group size, the season (April to October is peak), where we collect you and where we drop you off, and whether you book an English-speaking driver or a certified driver-guide. Send us your dates and those details and we confirm an exact, all-inclusive figure before you commit. The price we quote is the price you pay, with nothing added afterwards.

Is this tour priced per person or per vehicle?

Per vehicle, for the whole group, never per person. One quoted price covers 1 to 7 passengers in a Mercedes V-Class or similar. A couple and a family of six pay the same for the same day, which means the cost per traveller drops sharply as your group grows.

What is the difference between a private driver and a driver-guide, and does it change the price?

In France these are two separate professions, and yes, it changes the price. A private driver holds a professional transport licence and handles transport, logistics and local advice, but is not legally permitted to give guided commentary inside monuments on a tour sold to you. A driver-guide holds both that licence and the national guide-conferencier card, and both drives you and guides you. A driver-guide costs more than a driver alone, and less than hiring a driver and a separate guide, which is a third option, the most expensive, and worth it for larger groups or tightly scheduled days.

Are the driving times on this page reliable?

They are the times we count on in ordinary conditions, and they hold for most of the year. They do not hold in July and August, over the May bank holidays, or during French school holidays: the roads through Normandy and Brittany fill up, coaches queue at the popular sites, and everything takes longer, sometimes noticeably. We plan for that rather than hope around it, starting earlier where it matters and reordering stops so you are not arriving somewhere at its worst hour. If your dates fall in a busy period we will tell you when we quote, not on the morning.

How much luggage can you carry?

As a rule, one suitcase per passenger. A full vehicle, seven passengers with seven large cases and seven cabin bags, will not fit, and that is not something we can solve on the morning. It is also common for two travellers to arrive with four to six pieces between them, which needs a larger van. So tell us how many bags you are bringing, and roughly what size, when you request your quote: we confirm the right vehicle, or arrange a second one, before you book. Luggage is the detail most often forgotten and the only one that cannot be improvised.

What is included, and what is not?

Included: private transport with your driver, your driver-guide, or a driver and a separate guide, whichever option you choose, plus fuel, tolls and parking. Entrance fees depend on the format you choose: with a certified driver-guide they are often included, the abbey at Mont Saint-Michel in particular, while with an English-speaking driver alone they are usually added. In every case your quote states in writing which fees are included and which are added, and if you would like them included you only have to ask. Meals and personal expenses are not included, so you stay free to choose. Anything added on the day is quoted before it happens, never after.

Will Belinda be my guide?

Most days, yes, I guide myself, and that is how I prefer to work. When my dates are already taken, or when your group needs a second vehicle, I hand you to a driver-guide or local driver I have worked with for years and chosen myself. I tell you who is coming with you as soon as I know, and always before the day itself. And if having me personally matters to you, say so when you enquire: I will tell you straight away whether your dates are free.

Gulf of Morbihan & Vannes Private Tour

DISCOVER THE LITTLE SEA OF BRITTANY

Old wash houses below the ramparts of Vannes, Gulf of Morbihan

In Breton, Mor Bihan means "little sea", and that is exactly what the Gulf of Morbihan is: an inland sea sheltered from the Atlantic, scattered with around forty islands, oyster beds and tiny harbours. It is one of the most beautiful bays in the world, a regional nature park, and one of the places in Brittany that most rewards a day planned by someone who knows it.

My best advice for the Gulf is simple: see it from the sea. A boat trip, arranged as an option with a local operator, takes you among the islands in a way no road ever will. On land, your driver-guide takes care of the rest: the walled medieval town of Vannes, the megaliths of Locmariaquer or Carnac and the viewpoints along the shore, timed around the boat and the tides.

Tour Highlights:

The Gulf from the Water

A cruise among the islands, the short crossing to Île-aux-Moines or a sail on a traditional boat: the boat part is optional, run by local operators and booked for you, and it is the best way to understand the Gulf.

Medieval Vannes

Walk the ramparts gardens and the old wash houses below the walls, then the cobbled lanes of half-timbered houses around Place Henri IV and Saint-Pierre cathedral, before reaching the harbour that opens onto the Gulf.

Locmariaquer or Carnac

At the entrance of the Gulf stand the Great Broken Menhir, once the tallest standing stone in Europe, and the Table des Marchand dolmen, with its carved stones. Twenty minutes away, the Carnac alignments line up more than 3,000 standing stones. Either one is a perfect introduction to Brittany's Neolithic past.

Oysters by the Water

The Gulf is oyster country. Lunch by the water, or a tasting at a producer's, is part of the day whenever you wish.

What's Included:

Private transport in a modern vehicle such as the Mercedes V-Class
Your licensed driver-guide for the whole day
Guided walk through the walled town of Vannes
Planning and booking of the boat option, timed around tides and sailings
Pickup from your hotel, rental, station or cruise port
Fuel, tolls and parking

Why Choose Bellidays:

Premium private tours in Brittany since 2008
Licensed guide-conferencier and professional driver in one person
Private tours only, just your party, never shared
One contact from your first email to your return to the hotel
Fully tailor-made itinerary

Sample Itinerary

This is one way to spend a full day around the Gulf. The order changes with the tides, the boat timetables and your interests, and the day can be shortened to a half day.

9:00 AM

Pickup

Your driver-guide collects you in Vannes, Lorient, Auray or wherever you are staying in the Morbihan. From Rennes or Nantes, departure is earlier, around one hour thirty before arriving in Vannes.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Walled Town of Vannes

The ramparts and their gardens, the old wash houses, the half-timbered houses of the old town and Saint-Pierre cathedral, then down to the harbour.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

On the Water (Option)

A cruise among the islands, or the five-minute crossing from Port-Blanc to Île-aux-Moines for a walk on the island. Without the boat, we follow the shore to the viewpoints of the Gulf instead.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Lunch by the Gulf

Oysters, seafood or galettes, in a restaurant by the water we choose together.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Locmariaquer or Carnac

Two megalithic sites, twenty minutes apart. At Locmariaquer, the Great Broken Menhir, the Table des Marchand dolmen and the village harbour at the mouth of the Gulf, where the currents are among the strongest in Europe. Or the alignments of Carnac, more than 3,000 standing stones in rows across the countryside.
5:00 PM

Return

Drop-off at your accommodation, or a last stop at the old harbour of Saint-Goustan in Auray on the way back if time allows.

Optional Experiences

These experiences are run by local operators. We select them, book them for you and build the day around them.

Island Cruise

A cruise through the Gulf and among its islands, with or without a stop on Île-aux-Moines or Île d'Arz. Mainly from spring to autumn.

Traditional Sailing Boat

A few hours under sail on a traditional boat of the Gulf, the quietest way to explore it. Subject to weather and availability.

Gavrinis Cairn

A boat crossing from Larmor-Baden to the island of Gavrinis and a guided visit of its Neolithic passage grave, lined with remarkable carved stones. Seasonal, limited places, to be booked well ahead.

Oyster Tasting

A visit and tasting at an oyster producer's on the Gulf, with a glass of white wine.

Combine It With

The Carnac megaliths, twenty minutes from the Gulf (2 days recommended)
The Rhuys peninsula and the castle of Suscinio, former residence of the Dukes of Brittany
A 5-day Brittany tour

Guest Reviews

Real reviews of Belinda's private tours, received from past guests between 2016 and 2024. They are reproduced as written. This is a selection, and names are shortened for privacy.

Traveler
September 2024

"An amazing fun filled day enjoying Mt St-Michel, the coast, villages, excellent history of the area, an incredible local lunch with Belinda. She made the day amazing, engaging, fun, filled with insights and super fun to spend the day with. The centerpiece of our day was Mt St-Michel which Belinda did an excellent job sharing with us. But then the rest of the day was amazing, Belinda gave us a real authentic look at the area with visits to villages, the coast, oyster farming and an incredible lunch. Her enthusiasm for the area and bubbly personality make her the perfect guide!"

Tour: Mont Saint-Michel, the coast and villages
Traveler
July 2024

"Belinda was everything a tour guide should be - friendly, informative, professional and flexible. She also had a great sense of humor. I highly recommend her and hope I have an opportunity to use her services again some time."

Tour: Private tour with Belinda
Traveler
April 2024

"We had such a good time with Belinda! Our family of six enjoyed her company for three days touring Mont St Michel, the D-Day beaches and museums, and Monet's house in Giverny. She was prompt in picking us up each day and tailored the tours to our interests. She has an effervescent personality and made each day interesting!"

Tour: Mont Saint-Michel, D-Day beaches & Giverny, 3 days
Traveler
October 2023

"In 15 years of using private guides, about 100, I found Belinda to be the funniest, most knowledgeable, and professional guides ever. Her tour to Mt St. Michel and St Malo was perfect. A real gem!"

Tour: Mont Saint-Michel & Saint-Malo

GALLERY

Ramparts and gardens of Vannes with the cathedral, Brittany

Sailboats in the harbour of Vannes, Gulf of Morbihan

Shore of the Gulf of Morbihan at low tide

Vannes ramparts along the river in winter light

Flower gardens below the ramparts of Vannes

Breton ermine drawn in flowers in the Vannes ramparts gardens

Half-timbered wash houses below the ramparts of Vannes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PLANNING YOUR DAY ON THE GULF

By sea, without hesitation. The Gulf is an inland sea scattered with islands, and most of its beauty faces the water: from the road you catch it in glimpses, from a boat you are in the middle of it. That said, the shore has some lovely spots of its own, from the walled town of Vannes to the megaliths of Locmariaquer and the little harbours along the coast. The ideal day combines both, and that is how we usually plan it.

No. The boat trips are run by local operators, and we arrange them for you as an option: a cruise around the islands, the short crossing to Île-aux-Moines, a sail on a traditional boat or the guided visit of Gavrinis. We choose the formula that suits your day, book it and time the road part around the sailing. Most regular boat services run from spring to autumn, with fewer departures in winter, so tell us your dates early.

Around forty, although local legend claims there is one for every day of the year. Only two are inhabited year-round and served by regular ferries: Île-aux-Moines and Île d'Arz. Many of the others are private or protected for wildlife.

Yes, as an option. Gavrinis is a Neolithic burial mound on its own island, famous for the carved stones lining its passage, and it can only be reached by boat from Larmor-Baden, as part of a guided visit. Places are limited and the visit is seasonal, so it needs to be booked well ahead.

May, June and September are the sweet spot: long days, regular boat services and fewer crowds than in July and August. Winter is quieter and the boat options are fewer, but the Gulf is one of Europe's most important wintering grounds for migrating birds, which makes it a wonderful time for nature lovers.

Anywhere in the Morbihan: Vannes, Lorient, Auray, Carnac, Quiberon or your holiday rental. It also works as a full day trip from Rennes or Nantes, each around one hour thirty from Vannes. If you arrive by cruise ship in Lorient, see our Lorient shore excursions.

Yes, it is one of the most natural combinations in Brittany: the Carnac alignments are twenty minutes from the Gulf, and Locmariaquer, with its giant broken menhir, sits right at the entrance of the Gulf. In one day we usually choose between Carnac and a longer boat outing, or we spread the two over two days.

Yes. The walk through old Vannes is on flat cobbled streets, and boat trips are easy to board on the regular services. We adapt the pace, the walking and the length of the boat outing to your group, so let us know about any mobility needs when you enquire.

DISCOVER MORE

MORE OF SOUTHERN BRITTANY

VIEW ALL BRITTANY TOURS

Before you book

No two days are the same. Here is where prices start, what moves them, and what is worth knowing before you book.

How much does the Gulf of Morbihan private tour cost?: Half-day tours start from €650 and full-day tours from €900, per vehicle for the whole group of 1 to 7 passengers, never per person. Most quotes come in above these figures, depending on your group size, the season (April to October is peak), where we collect you and where we drop you off, and whether you book an English-speaking driver or a certified driver-guide. Send us your dates and those details and we confirm an exact, all-inclusive figure before you commit. The price we quote is the price you pay, with nothing added afterwards.
Is this tour priced per person or per vehicle?: Per vehicle, for the whole group, never per person. One quoted price covers 1 to 7 passengers in a Mercedes V-Class or similar. A couple and a family of six pay the same for the same day, which means the cost per traveller drops sharply as your group grows.
What is the difference between a private driver and a driver-guide, and does it change the price?: In France these are two separate professions, and yes, it changes the price. A private driver holds a professional transport licence and handles transport, logistics and local advice, but is not legally permitted to give guided commentary inside monuments on a tour sold to you. A driver-guide holds both that licence and the national guide-conferencier card, and both drives you and guides you. A driver-guide costs more than a driver alone, and less than hiring a driver and a separate guide, which is a third option, the most expensive, and worth it for larger groups or tightly scheduled days.
Are the driving times on this page reliable?: They are the times we count on in ordinary conditions, and they hold for most of the year. They do not hold in July and August, over the May bank holidays, or during French school holidays: the roads through Normandy and Brittany fill up, coaches queue at the popular sites, and everything takes longer, sometimes noticeably. We plan for that rather than hope around it, starting earlier where it matters and reordering stops so you are not arriving somewhere at its worst hour. If your dates fall in a busy period we will tell you when we quote, not on the morning.
How much luggage can you carry?: As a rule, one suitcase per passenger. A full vehicle, seven passengers with seven large cases and seven cabin bags, will not fit, and that is not something we can solve on the morning. It is also common for two travellers to arrive with four to six pieces between them, which needs a larger van. So tell us how many bags you are bringing, and roughly what size, when you request your quote: we confirm the right vehicle, or arrange a second one, before you book. Luggage is the detail most often forgotten and the only one that cannot be improvised.
What is included, and what is not?: Included: private transport with your driver, your driver-guide, or a driver and a separate guide, whichever option you choose, plus fuel, tolls and parking. Entrance fees depend on the format you choose: with a certified driver-guide they are often included, the abbey at Mont Saint-Michel in particular, while with an English-speaking driver alone they are usually added. In every case your quote states in writing which fees are included and which are added, and if you would like them included you only have to ask. Meals and personal expenses are not included, so you stay free to choose. Anything added on the day is quoted before it happens, never after.
Will Belinda be my guide?: Most days, yes, I guide myself, and that is how I prefer to work. When my dates are already taken, or when your group needs a second vehicle, I hand you to a driver-guide or local driver I have worked with for years and chosen myself. I tell you who is coming with you as soon as I know, and always before the day itself. And if having me personally matters to you, say so when you enquire: I will tell you straight away whether your dates are free.

Gulf of Morbihan & Vannes Private Tour