“There are plenty of elements that are not in our hands, today, to shape the behavior of tourists for this 2026 season,” notes Jessica Viscart, deputy director of the regional tourism committee (CRT) of Brittany. Despite 2025 being marked by an increase in visitors and “stable attendance from March 1 to 20” this year, the months of April, May and June look uncertain.
In question, the conflict in the Middle East and its consequences: disrupted air traffic and departures abroad, purchasing power of the French already at half mast, to which is added a major increase in the price of fuel, while “90% of tourists come by car to the region”, specifies Jessica Viscart.
The calendar is also less favorable than in 2025, with an Easter weekend outside the school holiday zone, therefore generating fewer overnight stays, and bridges, all focused on May, implying a choice and undoubtedly fewer visitors in June.
Différents scénarios envisagés
Among professionals, the forecasts are not necessarily good, according to the CRT representative: “Whatever the Breton territories, around half of them declare delays in reservations for the pre-season. We are also informed of cases of cancellation… But we also know that a lot of last minute reservations, depending on the weather, are possible.
The economic argument also comes into play: will the French prefer to save out of prudence or will they give in to the desire to escape? Finally, instead of going abroad, will travelers resort to local tourism? This would be “a boon for Brittany, close to major emitting areas, such as Paris and Nantes,” indicates Jessica Viscart.
The first surveys published at the end of March underline the interest of the region for tourists. Thus, the Trainline sales site records “reservations for Saint-Malo, up +93% between the week preceding departures and that of the Easter weekend”. The European vacation rental platform, Holidu.fr, ranked the Cité corsaire 6th out of 30 European destinations in terms of reservations for the same weekend.
“Even if it is difficult to establish a forecast, we have resilient professionals in the region. For ten days, we have seen an increase in employment contracts for the season,” adds Hubert Jan, president of the Finistère branch of the Union of Hospitality Trades and Industries (Umih). The first reports from the tourist offices, at the end of April-beginning of May, will undoubtedly make it possible to see things more clearly, before the summer season.
