What to See
What to see, listed by department
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Why You Should Visit the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France
There’s a stretch of coast in Brittany that feels like it’s been plucked from a tale of fairies and giants, where the rocks blush in shades of pink and the sea whispers in shades of blue. Welcome to the Pink Granite Coast, a place where nature wears her most whimsical colors. Here are the reasons you should put the Pink Granite Coast on your Bucket List: Nature’s Artwork Ploumanac’h is the crown jewel of this fantastical coast, with boulders that seem to have tumbled from the sky and landed in the most photogenic poses. As I wandered along the Sentier des Douaniers, the coastal path, I couldn’t help but feel…
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How to Spend a Day in Roscoff, Brittany, France
Ah, Roscoff! A charming gem tucked away on the coast of Brittany, France. From the moment my friends and I set foot in this little town, we felt like we had wandered into a seaside fairytale. With its quaint streets, charming shops, and salty breeze, Roscoff is the perfect place to let time slip away. I feel like I am always learning something new here in France, whether that be a new French phrase, custom, or, in this case, a new historical fact. The history of onions in Roscoff is deeply intertwined with the town’s identity and economy. The unique pink onions, known for their mild flavor and long shelf…
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A Visit to Le Nessay and St Briac sur Mer, Brittany, France
I have had the 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). If you are visiting the area and want to know where to eat and relax and perhaps watch a fantastic sunset, read on … Where Should I Eat in St Briac? 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…
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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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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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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
