Pays de Dol , Bay of Mont-Saint-MichelStayUnmissable treasuresDol-de-Bretagne - Mont-Saint-Michel Bay - La Rance - Combourg - Saint-Malo
Dol-de-Bretagne
Day 1: Arrival point: Dol-de-Bretagne.
Your first impression? A change of scenery!
You’ve just taken a leap back in time to the Middle Ages. Dol-de-Bretagne is a charming nuggetwith the Village Etape and Petite Cité de Caractère label. Start with a stroll through the historic centre to discover the ramparts and its treasure: the majestic Saint-Samson Cathedral. Your journey will continue by admiring the houses built between the 11th and 17th centuries. Then, take the GR®34 which will lead you to the picturesque village of Mont-Dol: its church with its mural frescoes, its mill and its chapel.
Not forgetting the view over the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
©Alexandre Lamoureux - Saint-Samson Cathedral - Dol-de-BretagneThe Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
Day 2: Are your eyes wide open this morning?
By bike, in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, in an exceptional setting, take the Vélomaritime.
A paradise classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Natura 2000 site. Its golden and silver tides break records for coefficients, these being the largest tides in Europe!
And its lights are so beautiful that they will brighten up your holiday album. It’s a rich heritage, made up of beaches, polders and marshes. To make the most of it, we suggestsome magnificent viewpoints along the bay: the Belvédère des Ondes at Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne at Saint-Broladre or the Balcon de la Baie at Roz-sur-Couesnon.
So many emotions, it’s exhausting! Take a break for lunch at one of our small local producers. This is the perfect opportunity to sample the Bay’s bouchot mussels and other shellfish that are the spice of the local gastronomy, followed by a walk.
Why not take a guided tour, on foot or on a converted train, to explore the Bay’s flora and fauna?
Our advice:Cap off this dazzling day by visiting the village of Mont Saint-Michel and its abbey in the evening. After that, you’ll be dreaming sweet dreams…
Chapel_Sainte-Anne_de_la_Greve_-_Saint-Broladre-Simon_Bourcier-931Combourg
Day 3: Resuming our treasure hunt.
Today, head south to Combourg, a Petite Cité de Caractère®, recognised as the cradle of Romanticism, and classified as a Station Verte. If you aren’t afraid of ghosts, visit the château; you might come across that of François-René de Chateaubriand, the great writer who spent part of his childhood there.
Then wanderthrough the streets of the town and their timber-framed houses, such as le Relais des Princes or the Cours des Templiers. Romanticism obliges, taste the tradition of a picnic by the Lac Tranquille before getting back on the road. Drive to the “Diament Vert” at Saint-Domineuc for a kayak outing on the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance or take a walk or bike ride to the site of the 11 locks along the towpath at Hédé-Bazouges.
Enjoy a break at the guinguette. A great day out!
Chateau De Combourg Lezbroz 5276 1200px
Oratory and Grainfollet Virgin - Saint-SuliacLa Rance
La Vallée de la Rance
Day 4: Set off to explore another wonder of our destination: the Vallée de la Rance.
Start by visiting the tidal power plant, you’ll learn a thousand things about the energy produced by the force of the tides. Extend the day by taking the GR® de Pays, which runs calmly alongside the waters of the Rance. Along the way, stop to admire new nuggets, such as the fauna and flora of Plage du Vallion in Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets, but also some local gems: tide mills, malouinières, chapels and washhouses will also enhance your wanderings.
Finally, to round off this golden afternoon, treat yourself to a paddle outing from Saint-Suliac, another way to discover the Rance!
Saint-Malo
The ramparts of Saint-Malo
Day 5: New atmosphere: you’re at the foot of the mythical ramparts of Saint-Malo, one of our Preserved Treasures.
Now the assault begins: set off to meet the famous privateers and sailors who plied all the seas of the globe. In the morning, explore the Saint-Servan district, and in particular the Cité d’Alet by following our urban strolls itinerary. In the afternoon, discover the Bay of Saint-Malo from the sea by boarding a traditional sailing boat. Enjoy the view of the corsair city as you sail between the fortified islets that once protected the town.
Adventure, by golly!”
Sortie A Bord Du Renard Baie De Saint Malo Thibault Poriel 5179 1200pxLE GR®34
Day 6: Emerald Coast hike
Five days spent on our shores, your head is full of memories, sparkling seas and silvery tales. More treasures await… Today, follow in the footsteps of the hikers who made the reputation of the famous GR®34, the trail criss-crossing the Emerald Coast. On this 100% nature trail, discover sites such as Havre du Lupin or the wild creeks of Saint-Coulomb. Also take a step back in time by visiting a malouinière, the majestic buildings once erected by Malouin shipowners. In the evening, head to the Port de la Houle in Cancale. Site Remarquable du Goût, to sample the oysters whose farming is listed as France’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Swinging from pearl to pearl is a delight.
Randonnee A La Pointe Du Meinga Saint Coulomb Thibault Poriel 4978 1200pxDol-de-Bretagne
Day 7:That’s it, it’s already the end of your stay, back in Dol-de-Bretagne.
Your family is feeling wonderful, your pockets aren’t full of gold coins but you’ll leave richer in emotions and encounters. You still have to wander around the Dol-de-Bretagne market on Saturday mornings, reputed to be one of the most important in the region. You’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for to bring back plenty of souvenirs and local produce.
See you soon!
Marche Dol De Bretagne Alexandre Lamoureux 14284Our Favourites
Le Marché de Dol-de-Bretagne
“Plunging down the emblematic Grande Rue ds Stuarts as far as Rue des Carmes to enjoy its market teeming with life is a pleasure. A concentration of fresh, local produce, a stall full of finds and riches not to be missed! A privileged moment, without ever straying too far from the Grande Dame: Saint-Samson Cathedral.”
Blandine, Destination holiday advisor
L’Oratoire de la Vierge de Grainfollet à Saint-Suliac
“Breathtaking views over the Rance from the oratoire de la Vierge de Grainfollet. It is reached from the port at low tide via the beach and a wooden staircase. It’s well worth the climb! A small green space ideal for contemplating the Rance, nature and the boats that sail by, under the protection of the Virgin Mary… This oratory, erected in 1894, bears witness to the piety of the Terre-Neuvas and their families back home, who prayed for the crews to return from their fishing trips in full.”
Séverine, Destination holiday advisor
