Map Territory Circuits Escale Cousue D'OrMap Territory Circuits Escale Cousue D'Or
Pays de Dol , Bay of Mont-Saint-MichelStayEscale Cousue d'Or for Famille NaturePays de Dol > Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel > Saint-Malo > Romantic Brittany
Map Territory Circuits Escale Cousue D'OrDol-de-Bretagne
Day 1: Drop your luggage in Dol-de-Bretagne!
Dol-de-Bretagne TGV station, everyone off! Lighten up by dropping your luggage in the family room you’ve booked. It’s Saturday, and you’re immersed in the heart of the region’s biggest market, with the smell of the galettes-saucisses that every shopper must try. The whole family have put on their trainers to walk to Mont-Dol, a land of legends where the Devil is never far away… You cross the marsh rustling with birdsong, and arrive at the foot of the granite rock. From up there, the view of the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and its jewels is breathtaking! Would you prefer to visit the listed mill and the geology exhibition at the Maison du Tertre before or after your snack? At the foot of the rock, the church with its medieval frescoes is sure to tempt you. This evening, take in a restaurant in a typical Dol street, and spend the night with the family: the kids will love it!
©Simon Bourcier - Dol-de-BretagneFrom Dol to the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
Day 2: bike ride on the Circuit des Pêcheurs.
Bikes are pumped up, calves warmed up, it’s going to be a great ride. The Circuit des Pêcheurs takes you all the way to the coast, following the biez, the canals that feed the Dol marshes. The route is pleasant and the sun is gently warming. At the bend in the road, the Merveille (Wonder) emerges, nestling in its bay! It’s well worth stopping for a fantastic family selfie! Soon it’s time to change horses: the bicycles are giving way to sand yachts. Here, the shore is a huge playground. You fly over the land, accompanied by the cries of the gulls… and those of the delighted family. Feeling hungry? The picnic is unpacked on the wooden tables, with Mont Saint-Michel on the horizon. While the children play in safety, you watch the time go by. Nice meditation session, isn’t it? You head back to Dol-de-Bretagne to finish the day peacefully and have dinner. You’re going to sleep well…
Baie Du Mont Saint Michel Cherrueix Alexandre Lamoureux 135Saint-Malo
Day 3: The Corsair City reveals all its secrets.
A day in Saint-Malo: the Corsair City is just 15 minutes away by TER. What a chance to get around without taking the car! You will survey the ramparts before visiting the Demeure de corsaire, a private mansion built by a privateer shipowner in the 18th century. Perhaps you’ll dream tonight of chests full of gold coins? The Cité d’Alet, where you picnic at lunchtime, is the original site of Saint-Malo. The promontory bears the scars of the German occupation and the Allied bombing raids that liberated the town on 17 August 1944. Housed in a bunker, the 39/45 Memorial plunges you back into that era. Micro Zoo or Grand Aquarium for the rest? You’ll land at the end of the day on Bon Secours beach, with its seawater pool and idyllic view over the Bay of Saint-Malo and Dinard. Bathers, walkers and trainees from the sailing school mingle happily. Click here for a souvenir photo of the pool’s famous diving board! Return by bus to the station and TER to Dol-de-Bretagne, for your third night.
Remparts Intra Muros Saint Malo Thibault Poriel 5128The Guyoult Valley
Day 4: the Guyoult Valley welcomes you.
A stone’s throw from the centre of Dol-de-Bretagne, the Guyoult Valley welcomes you. A three-kilometre walk has been laid out in this natural area. Amphibians, birds and butterflies all find ideal living conditions here. Need to let off some steam, kids? That’s what the fitness trail is for. Save your strength for the bike ride that follows, along the Chemin des Évêques, to the impressive menhir of Champ Dolent, one of the highest in Brittany. For the afternoon, you’re still hesitating between a guided tour of Dol, the former episcopal city, or a visit to the CathedralOscope. The children have chosen: it will be the cathedral interpretation centre, with the stone-cutting workshop. They’re already imagining themselves as cathedral builders… At 4pm, there’s an organic market under the magnificent covered market halls built in 1879. You can sample the local produce, of course, but save some room for dinner! The evening continues with a concert at St Samson’s Cathedral, before bedtime.
Simon Bourcier - Menhir du Champ Dolent - Dol-de-BretagneCombourg
Day 5: The medieval city transports you out of time
Depart for Combourg by TER. 10 minutes later, you set foot on the station platform of the small town Station Verte, France’s 1st ecotourism label. Settle in at the campsite before strolling through the historic centre. The medieval town will transport you out of time: Maison de La Lanterne, Cour des Templiers, Relais des Princes… A stroll along Lac Tranquille gently brings you back to reality. The 45-hectare lake reflects the colours of the sky and the passing clouds. A pleasant picnic by the water. Don’t push it, ducks, the bread’s no good for you! This afternoon, you’ve opted for a guided tour of the town, which has been awarded the Petites Cités de Caractère® label. You’ll then head off to explore the château and grounds, still imbued with the romantic spirit of the writer François-René de Chateaubriand, who grew up there. Another day rich in discovery and emotion draws to a close…
Combourg CastlePleugueneuc
Day 6: A day devoted to leisure activities!
The children are excited: the day is going to be devoted to leisure activities! On a previous trip, you were delighted to discover Cobac Parc, in the commune of Mesnil-Roc’h. This time, you’re spending the day at the Domaine de La Bourbansais, which you don’t know yet. To get there, you’ve hired an electric van – a new adventure! As there aren’t many kilometres between Combourg and Pleugueneuc, where the estate is located, you took the easy way out and lengthened the journey, so that you could make the most of the silent vehicle and sing at the top of your lungs, with your hair blowing in the wind! The day passed quickly, too quickly, with visits to the château, the zoo and the gardens, as well as events and activities. Lunch, with the giraffes staring into our eyes (well, trying…), was a memorable experience for the whole family. The return to Combourg is just as joyful as the outward journey!
Facebook posts 5Hédé-Bazouges
Day 7: Along the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance…
Ready to get on the bikes? From Combourg, little-travelled local roads take you to the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance. This waterway, the construction of which began under Napoleon 1st, carried goods between Rennes and Saint-Malo, before being supplanted by the railway. The stroll along the towpath is a jewel, shared with walkers and cyclists only. Here you are, stopped at Hédé-Bazouges, on one of the emblematic sites of romantic Brittany: a boat is just about to pass through one of the 11 locks it will have to pass through to clear the 27-metre difference in height of the canal. The gates are still operated by hand by the lock-keepers, with curious onlookers approaching. Want to find out more? Push open the doors of the Canal House, housed in a lock-keeper’s house. You take the bikes back to the nautical base of Saint-Domineuc, for a kayak outing on the canal. Return to Combourg for your last night.
Photographer
Cathedrale Saint Samson Dol Smbmsm 1796DID YOU KNOW?
Not only is the famous author Ken Follett a happy donor to the renovation of Saint-Samson Cathedral in Dol-de-Bretagne, but he also recently honoured the town with his presence. It’s no surprise that a slate engraved with his name now features on the roof of the building!
