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Tales from Brittany

Life in the land of legends

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Destinations
    • What to See
    • Delicious Eats
    • Places to Stay
  • Travel Tips
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  • Resources
    • Cultural notes
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  • Home
  • About Me
  • Destinations
    • What to See
    • Delicious Eats
    • Places to Stay
  • Travel Tips
    • Packing
  • Products We Love
  • Resources
    • Cultural notes
    • Helpful French Phrases

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  • Brocantes flea market finds
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  • Delicious Eats
  • Destinations
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  • What to See
  • Destinations,  What to See

    Parks to Visit Near Dinard and St Malo, Bretagne, France

    June 12, 2022 /

    Brittany has an oceanic climate with mildly wet winters and bright sunny summer days. The air can be quite humid, allowing for an abundance of green foliage throughout the year. This gift of greenery – especially during the winter months – is one of reasons I settled here. After spending the majority of my life in the Midwestern United States, where winters are long and freezing cold, I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate being able to walk along the river Rance, in January, and still see leaves on some of the trees and plants that I thought only grew in the hot tropical regions. With this climate,…

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    Amy Gruber 4 Comments

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    A Visit to Locronan and Quimper, France

    June 7, 2020

    Why You Should Visit the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France

    September 8, 2024

    Why Visit La Gacilly, Brittany, France?

    November 24, 2023
  • Destinations,  What to See

    Why is Dinan, France the Ideal Home Base ?

    April 10, 2022 /

    It is no secret that I think Brittany is the most beautiful region in France. To me, it is sheer perfection. Here, one finds emerald green waters, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, the GR34 hiking trail, charming Breton villages and bustling cities, magical forests and enchanting castles, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. There is literally something for everyone here. If I haven’t been able to tempt you to come and visit, I will endeavor to persevere. If you have decided to come, congratulations! Now it is time to find a home base and I have just the spot for you: Dinan. While there are a plethora of delightful villages here –…

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    Amy Gruber 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Why Visit La Gacilly, Brittany, France?

    November 24, 2023

    A Visit to Locronan and Quimper, France

    June 7, 2020

    Best of Brittany 2022: Part 2

    February 19, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    Life in Brittany, France : An Update

    April 1, 2022 /

    This morning, I was reviewing a few draft posts that I had created but not published. I came upon the one below and read through it. I almost hit the “delete” button, but reconsidered. You see, it’s easy to look at someone’s life on Instagram or Facebook – or even here in this blog – and think “Oh, she’s so lucky to be living in this charming town in France.” Yes, I do feel blessed to be here. I do. It took a LOT of work and a good number of tears to get where I am. I thought that I would share this in the hopes that if people…

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    Amy Gruber 1 Comment

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    Why You Should Visit the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France

    September 8, 2024

    How to Decorate Your France-inspired Home with Second-Hand Treasures: A Personal Journey

    January 1, 2025

    How to Spend a Day in Roscoff, Brittany, France

    August 13, 2024
  • Destinations,  Resources,  What to See

    Gratitude in the New Year

    January 26, 2022 /

    In keeping with my “Best in 2020” article from last year, I have decided to post on the top moments of 2021. But first, some reflection … I think we can all agree that we thought, at the close of 2020, that 2021 would be the year for getting “back to normal”. I can say that from my end, I thought we would all be traveling freely again, I thought that our news would consist of topics other than Covid, and at some point we would all be sitting together saying things like, “Wow, can you believe this time last year we weren’t able to travel/visit with friends/go to concerts/hug”…

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    Amy Gruber 5 Comments

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    Best of Brittany 2022: Part 2

    February 19, 2023

    A Visit to Le Nessay and St Briac sur Mer, Brittany, France

    March 10, 2024

    A Visit to Locronan and Quimper, France

    June 7, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    An Evening in St Jacut de la Mer, Bretagne

    November 13, 2021 /

    I am seated on the beach with my dear friends. It is August and I will be leaving for the U.S. in a few weeks’ time. Tonight, we have come to a beach that is located in our beloved Côtes-d’Armor department. I gaze our at the vast waters and the clear blue sky. I then look down at the mountains of sand that hold my feet, long buried in the sand. There are two much smaller mounds next to mine, that of my 5 year-old best buddy. He is telling me all of the things that he plans to do this evening, a few of which which include riding his…

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    Amy Gruber 7 Comments

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    How to Decorate Your France-inspired Home with Second-Hand Treasures: A Personal Journey

    January 1, 2025

    How to Spend a Day in Roscoff, Brittany, France

    August 13, 2024

    Why You Should Visit the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France

    September 8, 2024
  • Cultural notes,  Destinations

    Hiking through Brittany, France on the G34 Trail

    October 10, 2021 /

    Brittany is France’s largest peninsula, jetting far out into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s close proximity to the water makes it ideal for sailing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. The G34 trail that winds around the stunning coastline makes Brittany an incredible hiking destination as well. I myself love a good, long hike and have had the great pleasure of spending a fair amount of time on the trail. This summer, for example, I found myself on the trail on four different occasions – in Moelan-sur-Mer, St. Briac, Saint Suliac, and Erquy. I would love to follow the entire route one day, which means covering over 2,000 kms in all (it is…

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    Amy Gruber 6 Comments
  • Destinations

    The Forest of Brocéliande: Where Legends are Born

    September 19, 2021 /

    There are people whose souls are fed through art and music or lying on the beach listening to waves crashing against the shore. I certainly love and appreciate those things too. When my soul needs nourishment, however, I head to the forest. I am immediately taken to a new level of peace and tranquility when I am surrounded by trees. The smell of the damp earth and the trickling of a nearby creek fill me with immense joy. A few years ago, I visited the Foret de Huelgoat in Brittany’s Finistere department, and it remains one of my most favorite places in the region. This summer, I was thrilled to…

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    Amy Gruber 2 Comments

    You May Also Like

    A Visit to Locronan and Quimper, France

    June 7, 2020

    Why Visit La Gacilly, Brittany, France?

    November 24, 2023

    Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1

    February 5, 2023
  • Cultural notes,  Recipes from Brittany

    French Recipes: Le Broyé du Poitou (in French and English)

    September 4, 2021 /

    This recipe comes from my dear friend Isabelle. It is one of her favorites because has been passed down from her grandmothers. Isabelle has fond memories of making this cake with her family and now she has graciously shared this recette with us. Please let us know in the comments if you make this special treat. Cette recette vient de ma chère amie Isabelle. C’est l’une de ses préférées car elle vient de ses grands-mères. Isabelle a de très bons souvenirs de ce gâteau qu’elle faisait en famille, et elle a gracieusement partagé cette recette avec nous. Faites-nous savoir dans les commentaires si vous faites ce gâteau spécial. “Je suis…

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    Amy Gruber 2 Comments
  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations

    Saint Malo and les Rochers Sculptés de Rothéneuf

    August 17, 2021 /

    When I want to spend a day immersing myself in French history and culture and maybe run into a pirate or two, I head to St Malo. The views from the ramparts (some dating back to the 12th century) are worth the trip alone. For sun worshipers, its sandy beaches are simply stunning. If all that weren’t enough, there is a wide variety of restaurants offering scrumptious dishes and a plethora of shops perfect for browsing or buying. St Malo is une ville made for strolling, and I appreciate its interesting and varied architecture. Sadly, the majority of the city – 80% to be exact – was devastated by bombings…

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    Amy Gruber 6 Comments

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    A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France

    August 1, 2021
  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  What to See

    A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France

    August 1, 2021 /

    One of the many things I love about France is that a picturesque village is never more than a few kilometers away. In fact, France is home to over 150 official beautiful villages (les plus beaux villages de France). Saint Suliac, a small fishing town in Brittany’s Ille–et–Vilaine department, has held this title since 1999. Under a thousand people call it home but many come to take in its narrow winding streets lined with centuries old stone houses. Saint Suliac is an easy 45-minute drive north from Rennes. It is only a few kilometers from St Malo and the two can be easily combined to make a lovely day trip. Another…

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    Amy Gruber 6 Comments
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