Brittany is a beautiful region and home to to some of the best carp lakes in France. Carp lakes in Brittany are easily accessable from the ferry ports of Caen, Le Havre and St Malo. Take an overnight ferry from Portsmouth on Friday evening and arrive at the lake before midday to truly make the most of your fishing trip.
Carp Fishing in Brittany and the Surrounding Area
- Chestnut Pool – St Malo – 42 miles, Caen – 88 miles, Cherbourge – 111 miles
- Carp Quarry – Roscoff – 55 miles, St Malo – 95 miles, Caen – 180 miles
- CarpHunters Lake – St Malo 78 miles, Caen – 158 miles, Roscoff – 165 miles
- Lac Claudette – Caen – 76 miles, St Malo – 78 miles, Le Havre 185 miles
- Willow Lake – St Malo – 87 miles, Caen – 129 miles, La Havre – 173 miles
- Woody’s Hooked in France – St Malo – 77 miles, Caen 126 miles, Cherbourge 161 miles
Here are the 6 of the best carp lakes in Brittany or close to Brittany which can all be reached within a couple of hours drive from the nearest ferry terminal.
1. Chestnut Pool
Distance from Ferry Port:
- St Malo – 42 miles
- Caen – 88 miles
- Cherbourge – 111 miles
Chestnut Pool is an intimate pool of just over an acre in size with carp to over 50lbs. The superb venue is ideal for anglers and non anglers and has an luxury lodge which overlooks the lake and can sleep up to 4 adults. There is also a hot tub on the wrap around veranda. Does it get much better than this?
2. Carp Quarry
Distance from Ferry Port:
- Roscoff – 55 miles,
- St Malo – 95 miles
- Caen – 180 miles
Carp Quarry is a 3 acre lake which is home to some very special carp. There are around 200 carp which as of 2023 had an average size of over 38lbs and a lake record of over 60lbs. At only a 90 minute drive from the nearest ferry port it is a pleasant journey to arrive at Carp Quarry. Set back just 25 metres from the lake is a gite which sleeps up to 6 adults making this an ideal venue for combining fishing with day time site seeing an trip with non angling members of the family.
3. CarpHunters Lake
Distance from Ferry Port:
- St Malo 78 miles
- Caen – 158 miles
- Roscoff – 165 miles
Carpunters Lake is a mature 5 acre lake which offers everything a carp angler could look for. There are big carp to over 50lbs and for those anglers who enjoy close quarters actions and under the rod tip stalking this lake won’t disappoint! There is even an option chalet which can be hire for the do not want to night fish every night or for non angling guests.
4. Lac Claudette
Distance from Ferry Port:
- Caen – 76 miles
- St Malo – 78 miles
- Le Havre 185 miles
Lac Claudette is a 7 acre lake with a around 200 carp to excess of 60lbs. Due to the owners feeding programme the carp are packing some serious weight year on year with a very good average size. It’s a fantastic lake for social fishing with all 5 swims on one side of the lake. Just behind the swims is a lodge with kitchen, shower and toilet facilities as well as a bedroom. Fishing is generally to the far margins and rigs can be place accurate using either a rowing boat or bait boat.
5. Willow Lake
Distance from Ferry Port:
- St Malo – 87 miles
- Caen – 129 miles
- La Havre – 173 miles
Willow lake is situated in the picturesque Loire Valley, very close to the town on Craon. This great carp lake is only a two-hour drive from St Male or a two and a half-hour drive from Caen. Willow lake is 2-acres and is surrounded by 8-acres of beautiful meadows that give the feeling of complete seclusion and bliss during your time at the lake.
The lake is a spring-fed and dammed at one end. The dam end of the lake is deepest at about 10 foot, while the spring end is about 4 foot. The lake gets its name from the willow trees that surround it that are accompanied by birch trees, reeds and shrubs. All of the trees and shrubs that flank the water give excellent protection for the fish and any angler looking to do a bit of stalking during their stay.
Willow Lake has four swims that provide access to loads of underwater features and the cover from the trees around the lake. These four swims mean that three anglers can fish the lake comfortably and have access to some brilliant hotspots in the lake without crossing lines. Willow lake was de-silted in 2002 and, thanks to the owner, is also virtually snag-free. The lake bed is a mixture of sand, silt and gravel at the shallower depths. So, a marker rod is a must to find some of the fantastic underwater features.
The accommodation is a 3 bedroom chalet which is set back just metres from lake so you’re only a quick sprint from the rods!
6. Woody’s Hooked In France
Distance from Ferry Port:
- St Malo – 77 miles
- Caen 126 miles
- Cherbourge 161 miles
Often compared to a classic English estate lake, Woody’s Hooked in France is about as picturesque and packed full of features as they come! Not only that, it is home to some very big carp including 2 commons both approaching the 70lb mark. There are 2 islands, as well as overhanging trees, lilly pads, bays and plateaus. It really has everything you good ask for and more! The lake has 4 swims, 2 of which can accommodate 2 anglers. To make life a bit more comfortable wifi is in every swim as well as USB charging points. The lake can be fished by up to 5 anglers.
