What to See

What to see, listed by department

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  Travel Tips,  What to See

    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…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  Places to Stay,  What to See

    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…

  • Destinations,  Travel Tips,  What to See

    A Coastal Drive in Brittany

    The days are growing longer, reminding us that spring is just around the corner. Spring is my favorite season, as it is always full of the promise of new life. This year, I think that rings even more true. With some encouraging news about vaccines, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that we may see some sense of normality yet this year. Those of us with a serious case of wanderlust are beginning to imagine – and dare I say plan – for the day that starts with an early check-in at the airport, and ends with our feet touching the soil of a foreign land.…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  What to See

    A Visit to Josselin, Bretagne, France

    Brittany is a region full of warm people, delicious cuisine, and fascinating culture. Its beauty is unmatched, in my option, with its rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush forests, and charming villages. Today, I want to introduce you to a little gem of a town called Josselin. Josselin, located in the Morbihan department of Brittany, and just an hour from Rennes, is designated as both a Petite cité de caractère’ and ville fleurie (floral town). While its fairy tale castle is a “must-see”, the town itself – founded in the 11th century – is as worthy of a visit as the château. Josselin hosts a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  Places to Stay,  What to See

    Beyond Brittany: Souvenirs de Paris

    Ah, the City of Light. The City of Love. The Fashion Capital of the World. Whatever name you choose to call her, it fits. It’s PARIS, and she truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is just something so enticing, so mysterious, so moving about Paris that I would recommend it being at the top of everyone’s Bucket List. Now, I don’t say that lightly. I was a single mom for a few decades, working at least 2 jobs at a time for a good chunk of those years. I know that it’s not as simple as just deciding to go to Paris and buying…

  • Destinations,  Travel Tips,  What to See

    When is the Best Time to Visit Brittany, France?

    As so many have had to cancel their travel plans this year, would-be travelers are looking ahead to 2021 as the year to take their dream vacation. Maybe that is a trip across country or perhaps further afield. It could be a trip that they’ve been organizing for years but put on the back burner due to family or work obligations, finances, or just not being comfortable with planning an itinerary. Regardless of the destination, I love the idea of looking ahead and making a commitment to ourselves to go after our travel goals. With a bit of pre-planning, those dreams can become a reality. To those readers considering a…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  What to See

    A Day in Paimpol, Bretagne

    Paimpol is a lovely coastal town located in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. During the summer months, tourists flock to Paimpol for its exquisite beaches and charming port. La Plage de la Tossen, for example, is just a quick walk from town and a favorite for those with young children. Stopping first at the port, I take everthing in: the smells coming from the water, soft sounds of metal clanking, coming from the boats that are tossing a bit in the breeze. From this vantage point, I can imagine well painters standing just here, their easels set up to consider the boats in the foreground and the old buildings behind,…

  • Destinations,  What to See

    A Visit to Locronan and Quimper, France

    Last year, we visited the charming village of Locronan and the city of Quimper. I had long wanted to visit Locronan, a town that dates back 2,000 years, and is rich in Celtic history and lore. Whenever I saw photos of Locronan, I was drawn to its old, grey granite buildings, its beautiful simplilcity, things that I knew I would love once I finally got there. And I was right… Locronan is located in the Finistère department of Brittany, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Rennes and about the same distance from Dinan. We decided to visit Locronan and Quimper on our way to see our friends in Piriac-sur-Mer. While…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  Places to Stay,  What to See

    A Day in Quimper, Bretagne, France

    Locronan and Quimper have long been on my list of places to visit in Brittany; Locronan for its charm and Quimper for its faïence, shopping, and cultural activities. Last spring, we made a weekend getaway to Quimper and Locronan, staying the night just outside the charming village of Locronan. Two days was a perfect introduction to the Finistère department of Brittany and enough time to know that we want to revisit as soon as we can. Quimper, Brittany’s capital city, lies about 20 minutes from Locronan and a little over 2 1/2 hours by car from Rennes. Quimper is a large city for Brittany, with about 67,000 inhabitants (as of 2015).…

  • Delicious Eats,  Destinations,  Places to Stay,  What to See

    A Day in Dinan, Bretagne, France

    Whenever I mention Dinan to people who have been there, they get this dreamy look in their eyes and …… I know. I know exactly what they’re thinking and feeling. This charming, medieval town has it all: half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, almost 2 miles of ramparts, and even a castle. Dinan has the honor being classified as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, or Town of Art and History, so named because of its historic monuments, and is home to dozens of artists, sculptors, and merchants. Dinan is located in the northwestern part of France, in the Cotes d’armor department of Bretagne (Brittany). The walls surrounding the historic center date back…