The stretch of coast on the other side of that pointy out bit of France from St. Malo is brilliant for beaches. Miles of the buggers. Just about every coastal town you stop at has a beautiful sandy beach. They're nothing like as crowded as in the UK either. Brilliant area for water-sports (No John!) or just boozing on the beach with a book. If you get fed up with the beach, there's loads of interesting places to visit like Nantes, Vannes, St. Nazaire etc. jam-packed with eateries and boozeries.
Thanks mate I am pretty set on the St Malo area, found a nice apartment village thingy that isn't too expensive, the ferry trip on the other hand is extortionate!
Saint Malo is stunning we have been there 3 times over the years as we are getting old now we are widening our horizons. I remember the sea food there was always fresh and taste amazing and theres lots of shops (altho quite pricey) hubby is into scenery and photos so managed to take loads on the cathedral and beaches. We took a http://www.ferrysavers.co.uk/brittanyferries.htm Brittany Ferries ferry over from Portsmouth to Saint Malo and stayed in a lovely place called Oceania St malo which was near enouh on Chaussée du Sillon opposite the beach. The prices for the ferry werent too bad back then but we had booked near enough 10 months in advance, I find this mostly helps lowering the costs.