1 Region in August- Brittany/Burgundy/Other recs.

Hi everyone!

I am going to France for 5 days in August and was wondering where best to spend 5 days in the middle of the month. I know the South will be too crowded and expensive.

I was thinking either Burgundy or Brittany. I am assuming everything is in full swing at this time of year in both places. Is this correct? Does Burgundy and other inland regions shut down in August, even in the wine country?

If you were to spend a few days in Brittany, where would people go? Somewhere quiet, on the coast. We will have a car so can drive to larger cities, like St-Malo.

Where would people go in Burgundy in August?

Suggestions appreciated!

Thanks so much.

You've got 2 very different options, there ! Depends on what you want to see. Even if Brittany has great inland places, highlights are more liked to the shore and harbors (imho...I'm not a specialist of this region). Great scenic villages, milder temperature compared to other places in France at that time (rain is an option).
Burgundy does not shut down in August !!! Plenty of things to do/see, depends on what you like. Regional focus is mainly on culture / history...food and wine. Nice climbing and mountain biking spots if you want to exercice a bit...Dijon is a nice city with a great historic center, worth a 1 day visit. So is Beaune, don't miss the Hospices and the cathedral. Easy connection by train. North from Dijon (not exhaustive): Semur en Auxois (nice medieval city), Fontenay cistercian abbey (1h drive from Dijon, worth the visit), Flavigny medieval village, Chateauneuf (great fortified medieval city on top of a hill with castle and all, very close to Dijon). South Burgundy: tons of great places if you're interested in Roman architecture, with some of the most stunning example of roman churches/abbeys, from Cluny and Paray le Monial for the biggest and most famous places in the area to clusters of villages with great churches (e.g. the Brionais area close to Paray le Monial), Solutré prehistoric site...
And, from North to south, great wine and food everywhere (these places do not shut down !). My advice would be to rent a car and drive around, get lost in the vineyards and in the small villages.
Enough to spend 5 great days (don't drink and drive though...)

Nowhere in France "shuts down in August". It is high season for tourism so even small villages that are quiet during the rest of the year make an effort to put on activities in order to attract visitors.

I would avoid places like St Malo in July and August -- it's absolutely mobbed with tourists and day-trippers.

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