We arrange freight from Rennes and Brittany to the Czech Republic, usually in 2–3 days from loading; chilled meat, fish and vegetables travel in a reefer with no transhipment. Brittany is about as far west as France goes – Rennes is roughly 1,400 km from Prague and about 1,600 km from Brno – so choosing the right loading day matters. We organise full trucks, part loads and groupage from one pallet, delivered anywhere in the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
How far is it from different parts of Brittany?
In Brittany the pick-up point really makes a difference. Between a collection near Rennes and one at the western tip of the peninsula there can be most of a day's driving, and that shows in the delivery date:
| Pick-up point | Typical goods | Effect on transit |
|---|---|---|
| Rennes, Chartres-de-Bretagne | parts from the car plant and its suppliers, electronics, food | starting point, usually the shorter end of 2–3 days |
| Vitré | food and industrial products | right on the road east, practically no detour |
| Lamballe and Côtes-d'Armor | pork and poultry, animal feed | a short detour north, normally within the usual time |
| Saint-Malo | goods from the port terminals, processed seafood | non-EU goods must be cleared before the vehicle arrives |
| Lorient, Keroman fishing port | fresh and frozen fish | south coast via the N165, fixed loading time for freshness |
| Brest, Saint-Pol-de-Léon | maritime industry, cauliflower, artichokes, shallots | nearly 250 km west of Rennes – expect the upper end |
Expressways within Brittany are toll-free; tolled sections start on the A81 at La Gravelle. French péage, German Maut and Czech tolls are all included in the price we quote.
Which day should you load in Brittany for a Friday delivery?
In Brittany the long run and the weekend bans add up. France bars vehicles over 7.5 t from Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 22:00 and from 22:00 on the eve of a public holiday until 22:00 on the day itself; Germany on Sundays and holidays from 0:00 to 22:00. As a rule of thumb:
- loading on Monday or Tuesday – usually with you on Wednesday or Thursday,
- loading on Wednesday – the last sensible day if the goods must arrive by Friday,
- loading on Thursday or Friday – expect unloading early the following week,
- from Brest or Lorient, add some margin to these estimates.
Breton meat and fish processors often load early in the morning, while warehouses and plants load during weekday working hours. Almost everywhere works with booked loading times and a reference the driver gives on arrival.
How does the truck get around Paris?
From Rennes the road follows the N157 and A81 past Vitré and Laval to Le Mans, where it splits. The northern option takes the A11 via Chartres, the Francilienne ring (N104) around Paris and the A4 towards Reims and Metz – the right choice when the vehicle also loads in Normandy or the Paris region, though queues are likely at rush hour. The southern option heads via Orléans and the A19 to Sens and Troyes, then through Lorraine – calmer, and the one we pick when the truck would otherwise pass Paris at peak times or has a pick-up in Orléans or Troyes. Beyond Lorraine both continue via Saarbrücken, Mannheim and Nuremberg to Rozvadov. The truck never enters central Paris.
What travels from Brittany in a reefer?
Brittany is a food region, and a large share of its loads need controlled temperature. Pork and poultry from around Lamballe must already be at transport temperature when loaded. Fresh fish from Keroman leaves as soon as it is on board; frozen fish travels deep-frozen. Vegetables from the north coast are collected from growers and packing stations around Saint-Pol-de-Léon at the temperature the shipper sets. Butter, cheese and yoghurt from Ille-et-Vilaine go chilled, milk powder in sacks on pallets without refrigeration. For Breton butter biscuits in summer we recommend a temperature-controlled vehicle so the butter does not soften.
A few pallets, a part load or a full truck?
A full truck takes 33 euro pallets, 13.6 loading metres and around 24 t; one euro pallet takes 0.4 loading metres. Single pallets go as groupage from one pallet, larger volumes as a part load paid by the loading metres used. Pick-ups in Rennes and Vitré combine easily, and so does Brittany with the area around Nantes. When the truck takes the northern option, it can add goods in Rouen and Le Havre or in Paris. For chilled goods, all consignments must share the same temperature.
Incoterms, documents and what to send for a quote
Under EXW or FCA the buyer books the transport and we agree the loading time with the Breton supplier; under DAP the seller arranges it. EU goods travel without customs on a CMR note with an invoice or delivery note. Send us the loading address and hours, the reference, pallet count, weight, the temperature for food and the delivery address in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. You will have a quote within 30 minutes in office hours and, after confirmation, a vehicle usually within 24 hours. We have been arranging freight since 2011 with more than 500 vetted contracted carriers. For the country-wide overview, see transport from France; more towns in the region are below the article.
Importing from Brittany every week? We set fixed loading days and a proven route around Paris – regular transport, or send us a message.
Related guides: Food transport · Refrigerated transport · Preparing pallets