Destinations
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A Visit to Le Nessay and St Briac sur Mer, Brittany, France
I have had the extraordinary opportunity to explore the breathtaking coastline of Brittany, France over the last several years. Each experience has been its own kind of wonderful, from hikes that left me in awe at every turn, to forests that had me thinking giants really do exist (see my post on Huelgoat forest). This trip was no exception … Recently, some friends and I visited Le Nessay, a lovely hotel and restaurant set on a picturesque peninsula, its sandy beach and clear blue waters beckoning those who want a perfect blend of opulence and natural beauty. From its website https://www.lenessay.com/en/ : “Le Nessay was born from the desire to…
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Why Visit La Gacilly, Brittany, France?
If you love charming French towns, with granite houses, twisty side streets, and a bit of eccentricity thrown in, then La Gacilly is for you!
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Best of Brittany 2022: Part 2
Following up on my last post on The Best of 2022: Part One, below is a summary of the adventures I had in the second quarter of last year. (Again, apologies for not keeping you up-to-date as the year went on, but settling into life and work and all that French life as an Expat implies, I needed a minute … or a year.) April in Brittany was lovely. The days were becoming noticeably longer, the weather warmer, and new plants were springing up everywhere. We are so blessed to see greenery throughout the year here – vastly different than my home state of Michigan, which generally lies under a…
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Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1
If you have been asking yourself “What Should I See and Do in Brittany, France in 2023?” look no further. In today’s post, I will share my 2022 Highlights to give you some ideas for your upcoming trip. See something in particular that catches your eye? Please leave a comment and I will be sure to cover that area in more detail in an upcoming post. Please also use the Search function to see if I have already written about that area or town. I have been blessed with a few wonderful clients who kept me quite busy in 2022 (and into 2023, thankfully), but I took full advantage of…
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A Visit to Combourg, Brittany, France
Combourg is a quaint town located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany. It has been given the title petite cité de caractère which means, according to Petitecitedecaractere.com, that they have taken it upon themselves to “maintain, restore, safeguard and publicize that heritage, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region.” Combourg lies between the cities of Rennes and St. Malo. It has a population of roughly 6,000 people. The town served as inspiration for the writer François René de Châteaubriand, considered one of France’s most cherished Romantic novelists. Strolling about the castle and surrounding gardens, it is easy to see why. While I found the château lovely, it was…
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Parks to Visit Near Dinard and St Malo, Bretagne, France
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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Why is Dinan, France the Ideal Home Base ?
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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Gratitude in the New Year
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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Hiking through Brittany, France on the G34 Trail
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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The Forest of Brocéliande: Where Legends are Born
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…