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Going Further Afield: Driving in France
After exploring Rennes by foot (see An Afternoon in Rennes) it’s time to go further afield. Rennes is a hub for train travel, so it is quite easy to spend some time walking about the city then hopping back on a train into any number of towns in Brittany. From Rennes, you can take a train from the Gare de Rennes to the Gare de Saint Malo in just under an hour, and for between 11 euros (2nd class) and 22 euros (1st class) per one-way ticket. (These prices may vary depending on day and month.) You can catch a train to Dinan for about the same fare. Dinard, one…
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The Magical Forest of Huelgoat
Everyone has a special place that speaks to them. For some, it is a sandy beach. For others, it’s the hustle and bustle of a big city. For me, it’s the peace and tranquility of a forest. I love the smell of the moss and earth. I love listening to the sweet whisper of the trees. I love the perfect mix of stillness and the constant movement of wildlife. There’s always something to discover in a forest. Sometimes, it’s a little flower peeking out from between the rocks, or an interesting looking mushroom. Occasionally, you can spot an animal’s den made from fallen branches, sticks, and dried leaves. There’s no…
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Travel Tips: How to Plan Your Trip
The idea of taking a trip is exciting, especially when it’s to a place that you’ve always wanted to visit. Maybe you’ve dreamed of walking through the lavender fields in Provence, or admiring the great works at the Louvre. Perhaps you’ve wanted to explore castles in the Loire Valley or visit the stunning beaches of la Bretagne. While the idea of being at your destination can be exhilarating, it’s working out the logistics of getting there that can be exhausting. I’ve heard friends say that their vacation plans fell through because the idea of planning the trip – especially to a place they had never been before – was just…
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An Afternoon in Rennes
After a comfortable and relaxed train ride from Paris – only about an hour and a half – we arrive in Rennes, the capital city of la Bretagne. Rennes is located in the eastern part of Brittany, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department. It has a population of about 700,000 people, and is listed as one of France’s most livable cities. It is not surprising, with its vibrant and eclectic atmosphere, rich history, art museums, several well-known universities, and almost 60 parks. It also offers a wide variety of restaurants to suit just about anyone’s palette. Rennes is a main hub for travel, which makes it very easy to catch a connecting…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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Pack light, pack right
If there is one thing that I’ve learned in my years of travel, it is to pack light. There is nothing worse than shuffling through the airport with a heavy bag. These days, I travel as light as possible, with a small carry-on and personal item. People ask how I can pack so lightly, and my answer is, you really only need a basic wardrobe, comprised of quality pieces that can be worn a few times and easily interchanged. I only pack for a week, regardless the length of my stay. With a little laundry soap and a quick trip to the local laundromat (or the bathroom sink), you can…
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Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1
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Market Day in Brittany
I love each and every day that I get to spend in Brittany, but there is one day of the week that is particularly fun – market day. Each town has its own market day, and almost all run year-round, no matter the weather. If you are traveling to France, be sure to find out when market day is in the town you will be staying in and plan an hour just to walk about. This is, after all, where all of the locals go and buy their produce for the week. Sample the local cuisine and interact a bit with the merchants. You won’t regret it. For now, I’ll…
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Traveling to Brittany
Now that you’re excited about visiting Brittany, you have to start thinking about the logistics of getting there. Of course, this depends from where you’re coming. There are a number of ways to get to Brittany; it is easily accessed by air, land, and sea. Ferries coming from England enter Brittany at St. Malo. By air, there are three international airports in Brittany along with several smaller ones. On previous trips, we arrived in Paris then hopped on a second flight to Rennes. If we wanted to see more of the off-the-beaten-path destinations, we rented a car at the Rennes airport. There are several car rental agencies located steps from…
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France, the beginning
“The further you get away from yourself, the more challenging it is. Not to be in your comfort zone is great fun.” – Benedict Cumberbatch As I think about our upcoming trip to la Bretagne, I can’t help but to be reminded of where this journey – the journey to living overseas – started. How a trip to France decades ago would alter the course of my life. And, most importantly, how stepping out (way out) of my comfort zone was an essential part of making this dream a reality. The first time I traveled to France I was 11 and in all honesty, it wasn’t my favorite place. My…
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Welcome! Bienvenue!
I want you to close your eyes for a moment and imagine that you are in France. Go ahead, I’ll be here when you’re ready to come back…… What did you see? Were you walking along the Seine or gazing up at the Eiffel Tower? Perhaps you were strolling by a boulangerie and caught a whiff of freshly baked baguettes and brioches. Or maybe you stopped to look at lovely pastries displayed in the window of a pâtisserie. Art lovers may have been at the Louvre searching for the elusive Mona Lisa. And coffee lovers were likely sitting on the terrace of a café, with their perfect little cup of…
