Destinations
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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…
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Saint Malo and les Rochers Sculptés de Rothéneuf
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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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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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Beyond Brittany: A Visit to Mont St Michel
When visiting Brittany, one simply must travel to nearby Normandy for a visit to Mont St Michel. Sitting just 1 km from the mainland, it is one of France’s most beloved islands. Today’s post will give you some tips as to how and when to travel to Mont St Michel to get the most pleasure from your visit. Mont St Michel lies just outside Brittany, about one hour from St Malo and a smidge over an hour from Rennes. If Dinan is your home base, it too is only about an hour away. If staying in Paris, there are numerous tours that run from the city, though that tends to…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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Must-see Castles in Brittany
Let’s take a trip back in time, shall we? Imagine for a moment a scene of lords dressed in long tunics and leggings and ladies in their fine gowns. They are seated around a grand fireplace, wine or ale in hand, the smell of grilled smoked pork, nutmeg, and cardamom lingering in the air. Musicians and captivating storytellers entertain their guests. Ah yes, what it must have been like to live in medieval times! (Well, for lords and ladies anyway.) If castles, medieval history and lore appeal to you, read on. Brittany is home to over a dozen castles, all with a different personality. Today, I will walk you through…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
