Plan your holiday in Brittany
In this post, I will share with you my top 5 of the place to see in Brittany, France, more precisely in Ille-et-Vilaine. This part of France is a great touristic destination thanks to the diversity of places and activities you can find. Whether for lovers of history, gastronomy or, landscape or sightseeing everyone will enjoy the trip !
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1. Saint Malo
Saint-Malo is also known to be the Corsaire town and the origin of many famous French explorers who left to open a new maritime route, like Jacques Cartier and Robert Surcourf. The Corsairs of St Malo roamed the seas taking whatever they wanted from English, Dutch and Portuguese ships unfortunate enough to encounter them. One can easily imagine Saint-Malo was such a great hideaway for them. The city was made to be almost impregnable.
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The walls of Saint-Malo were built to protect the city from both the tides and from invaders. The ramparts protect the entirety of the old part of Saint-Malo and form a circuit of 1.75 kilometers. Today, the walls are probably the most famous feature of Saint-Malo and also the biggest tourist attraction. We strongly advise you to walk the whole circuit and enjoy the extremely scenic views to the several sides of the town. -
2. Rennes
Capital of Brittany, Rennes is a dynamic city with a wealth of historical patrimony. It is one of the Cities and Countries of Art and of history, official label awarded to municipalities promoting their heritage and their architecture.It is besides in Rennes that many festivals of music and café-concerts see the emergence of musical groups recognized throughout the country. In terms of gastronomy, Rennes has nothing to envy its neighbours Breton. The Thabor gardens are suitable for country picnics and charming walks. One more reason to offer you a getaway to Rennes.
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Take advantage of being in Rennes to choose a good creperie and eat a galette complete! The Galettes are savory and made of buckwheat flour (darker than the wheat crepes). -
3. Cancale
The territory of Cancale, located in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, forms a peninsula whose tip is called the Grouin de Cancale. This part of the Emerald Coast has remained very wild. Many species of birds nest in the ornithological reserve of the Landes island. But it is the ancestral reputation of the city and the port of La Houle stems for its oysters that above all attracts, every year again, a multitude of tourists.
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Eating oysters in Cancale is one must do experiences, along the beachfront of Cancale, there are several spots to buy fresh oysters and restaurants to eat seafood. The most amusing is that you can buy 6 or a dozen oysters and lemon and eat them by the sea.This was one of the coolest experiences of the trip. -
4. Saint-Briac-sur-Mer
From the majestic Belle-Époque villas of Saint Briac sur Mer, to the old town farm in Lancieux, which has become a charming seaside resort, passing through the old fishermen's houses of the old town and the unspoiled nature of Saint-Lunaire.The Emerald Coast saw so many artists, such than Pablo Picasso who stayed in Dinard. The small town of Dinard faces Saint-Malo on the Rance estuary.
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Take advantage of being in Saint Briac sur Mer to find the perfect Kouign-Amann. It's a traditional Britton cake, made of dough, butter, and sugar. It is a calory bomb but it is totally worth eating one (or two). Its name literally means cake and butter in the Breton language, and you can find them in every city of Brittany. You can also book a table for two at the Nessay to enjoy a magnifique ocean view. -
5. Le mont Saint Michel
Le Mont-Saint-Michel is located in Normandy, in the Manche department. Legend has it that he appeared after a tidal wave. It was a small rocky and granite island. Both a cultural and spiritual place, Mont-Saint-Michel was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It happens to be the 8th wonder of the world. Today, Mont-Saint-Michel is the most visited tourist site in Normandy and the second in France (after Paris) with more than 3,000,000 visitors each year.
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The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a unique and remarkable natural site, it can be crossed on foot or on horseback and accompanied by a guide. This walk is very interesting. You can learn a lot of things there about the nature, fauna, flora and history of Mont-Saint-Michel. beware the sands surrounding the Mount are shifting in many, many places. The tides and the Couesnon which meet at the foot of the Mont saturate the sand with water. Only guides can help you avoid the natural pitfalls of the bay.
You can contact me if you like to know more detail about your next trip
Coded by Morgane Oberzusser 👉🏼 Linkedin