EASTERN BRITTANY by Susan Hazelwood
This region is topped by the port of Saint Malo and surmounted by the magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel, on the Brittany/Normandy border. The superb coastline, known as the Emerald coast, has numerous unspoilt sandy beaches, along with many fishing ports. Inland, the picturesque countryside offers many medieval towns to explore, such as Rennes, Dinan, Fougères and Vitré.
Le Mont Saint Michel (Normandy)
Just over the Brittany border in Normandy, Mont Saint Michel is a village in itself, brimming with cafes, bars and wonderful craft shops.
Mont Saint Michel Bay has the highest tides in Europe. As the tide ebbs, the sea reveals one of the largest areas of mussel growing and oyster farming in France, upon thousands of wooden stakes. Covering about 14 miles is the Duchess Anne Dike, providing a view over the ever-changing landscapes and multitude of species of birds and wildlife.
Dol de Bretagne
With its half timbered houses and gothic styles, cobbled streets and mansions, Dol-de-Bretagne is a must. The Grande Rue des Stuarts is the main shopping area. Market day is Saturday. Plenty of places to dine during the day and evening.
Villecartier Forest
Off the main D155 - just follow the signs for Port Minature in the forest
centre, and you will come across plenty of good parking. A stroll to the lake
reveals a busy little cafe and there's bicycle, electronic boat & pedalo hire,
plus pony rides. There are plentiful easy going marked walks through this
forest. A new 'parc acrobatique' has been created for 2005 in the tall beech
trees. Wearing a harness, you do tree walks at a variety of heights in the
trees. The whole area takes about 3 hours to complete - only for those not
scared of heights!
http://parcdesgrandschenes.yahoo.fr
Combourg
Market day is Monday. Truly a super place to visit. A thriving town both during day and evening, with plenty of bars and restaurants, beautiful chateau and lake.
Vitré
Vitré is arguably the French town in the area which has best preserved its medieval appearance. It still has its old wooden porches with rough carvings, its slate houses with gables overlooking the streets, its narrow, strangely-built windows, depending on the whims or requirements of the new owners, its long streets and its heavy doors decorated with quotations from the Bible. Vitré is the town of the Rohans and La Trémoilles, the cradle of the Reformation in Brittany.» (Gérard de Nerval).
Fougères
Overlooking a vast green countryside, Fougères has retained all of the grandeur of its glorious past.
The Chateau is open every day from mid June to mid September, and at various other times during the year. Built between the 12th and 15th Century, it was an outpost of medieval Brittany and even one of the biggest and best preserved fortifications in Europe.
Fougères old town still contains wooden buildings, and hosted thousands of
workers who crafted shoes. The shoe industry is returning, specialising in top
of the range items. There is a busy market every Saturday morning.
St Malo
http://www.ville-saint-malo.fr/
Between the River Rance and Mont Saint-Michel Bay, bordered to the south by the Dol Marshes, lies the area known as Le Clos-Poulet. Saint-Malo, its historical centre, looks out to sea. Concealed behind the walls is an outstanding town, filled with places to visit. The coastline bristles with forts; it is also dotted with beautiful sandy beaches. The maritime hustle and bustle of this harbour town has always attracted merchants, navigators and adventurers of all kinds who set off from its quaysides on voyages far across the ocean, lasting many long months.
Rennes
Rennes is the capital of Brittany, and well worth a visit as it has a beautiful Medieval centre. It was the absence of building stone, and the presence of numerous forests around Rennes which led to the tradition of timbered housing, especially during the Middle Ages. It is the best in place in Brittany for shopping, as there are many small boutiques in the centre, and lots of larger out-of-town shops and hypermarkets around the ring road.
Cancale
http://www.ville-cancale.fr/
This ancient fishing port is a hive of activity. Overflowing with oysters and mussels, the cafes are teeming with custom. Cancale is a superb place to visit because it has so much to offer, its fabulous cuisine (there are numerous restaurants overlooking the harbour) comes from the fish caught in the bay, and the walks are splendid, giving panoramic views over the coastline.
Explore on foot..........between St Malo and Cancale there is a
coastline-hugging walk through heathland, beaches and rocks, that ends with a
magnificent view over the Emerald Coast at the Pointe du Grouin.
Dinard
Dinard owes its growth to a few British VIP's who launched the resort during the 19th century. Today, the local architecture is the best reminder of this Golden Age. It is an unconventional, eccentric blend of styles and building materials, reflecting the carefree, cosmopolitan attitude of days gone by. There are three fabulous sandy beaches, with plenty of restaurants and bars.
Dinan
The old town is most atmospheric, crammed full of half-timbered buildings dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, with cobbled rambling streets, all carefully restored and preserved. Interspersed throughout the old town are numerous individually owned cafes, bars and restaurants.
Le Grand Parc de Quebriac
8 Hectares including a zoo, water slides, nature museum. Situated at Quebriac, 4 km from Tinteniac and about 5 km from Combourg.
La Bourbansais, Pleugueuneuc.
Just off the N137 St Malo/Rennes.
The Chateau here and the French gardens are classified Historical Monuments. One of the finest packs of hunting dogs is shown 3 times per day (April to September). La Bourbansais also features a zoo.
Cobac Park, Lanhelin,
Near Combourg (Between Lanhelin and Tournebride)
Lots of things for the kids to do here, rides, bouncy castles, and a water park.
The Grand Aquarium, St Malo
http://www.aquarium-st-malo.com/index2.htm
La Ville Jouan, Avenue du General-Patton. Tel: 02 99 21 19 00 http://www.aquarium-st-malo.com/
Discover a magnificent collection of fish and sea life. The highlights are: the sharks ring, sunken wreck, tropical room, outdoor touchpool and nautibus - an unforgettable dive in the deep.
Your Holiday Matters - approved properties
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Our gites in Brittany are set in 2 acres of lawned gardens with a large
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