What to See
What to see, listed by department
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A Visit to the Château de Fougères
About 29 km from Vitré, and 51 km from Rennes, lies the commune of Fougères. It is home to the exquisite Château de Fougères, the largest medieval fortified castle in Europe. Tens of thousands of visitors come to the château every year, and it is easy to see why. There are regular guided tours as well as informational displays throughout, making for an educational and entertaining day for people of all ages. Upon arrival, one is immediately struck by the castle’s beauty, with its impressive entrance and sprawling ramparts, the tall turrets and winding moat. Originally built in the 11th century, most of what we see today is thanks to…
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An Afternoon in Vitré
Imagine spending an afternoon visiting not one, but two castles, both under 30 km of each other. Such an opportunity exists in this magnificent region, as Brittany is home to well over a dozen magnificent châteaux. Last July, we spent a lovely afternoon visiting Vitré and Fougères, two communes that lie in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of central Brittany. While we visited both towns in one afternoon, I would recommend spending at least a few hours in each, allowing for long, leisurely strolls and taking in every bit of the charm that they have to offer. Today, I will highlight our visit to Vitré with an additional post coming soon about…
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Things to See and Do in Lehon, Bretagne, France
Léhon, located in the Côtes-d’Armor department in Brittany, France, is a Petite Cité de Caractère®. Anyone who has visited this quaint little town can appreciate how and why it received this honor, as it does indeed have a lot of character. I’ve been to Léhon several times, and with each visit I am more and more enchanted by her. The town is never overrun with tourists, as Dinan can be, especially during the summer months. Rather, it is calm and quiet, and it feels as though time has stood still for a long while, as if everyone has simply gone out to lunch and hasn’t returned yet. Léhon is 56.2…
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A Day in Dinard, Bretagne
Dinard is located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department and on the Cote d’Emeraude in Brittany, France. It has long been famous for its pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and crystal clear, turquoise water. To me, Dinard epitomizes the best of what summertime brings – families relaxing on the beach, children (and adults) building castles in the sand, sun worshipers taking a break from bronzing to spend a few minutes swimming in the sea. From the comfort of their towel, splayed out on the sand, visitors can take in the clear sky, the grey-white sand, and the varying shades of blue in the water, contrasted with the bright orange sails, belonging to those…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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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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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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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…
