-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
You May Also Like
A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
-
Spend a Day with Me in Dinan, Brittany
It is the beginning of February, and we are midway through the “grey days of winter”. The days are getting noticeably longer and the promise of spring is within sight. Today, we happen to be blessed with clear, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. While I need to put on several layers on from head to toe just to take a brief walk with my dog, I am happy to breathe in the brisk air and feel the sunshine on my face. As often happens, my mind drifts off to my beloved Brittany, and what I would be doing if I were there today. I imagine that I’m in the…
-
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,…
You May Also Like
A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
-
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…
You May Also Like
A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
-
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…
