Treasure n°8 Saint-Suliac and the jewels of the Rance

Vary your pleasures and multiply your discoveries by exploring an estuary that unites land, sea and river in its bed.

For the seasoned treasure seeker,the Rance is a rare and coveted gem. The raw majesty of the place will definitely awaken the explorer in you. The wealth of landscapes, places and emotions, offers everyone the chance to enjoy a unique experience. The trails along the river offer wonderful views while keeping your feet on the ground. You can navigate the river at your own pace: on foot, by bike, on the water or on horseback. We can’t recommend enough an early morning or late day outing to watch the sun play impressionist painter. Listed as a Natura 2000 site, the Rance valley is a work of goldsmiths. Its fresh and salt waters mingle to form hues ranging from sapphire blue to emerald green. The valley will also delight you with its stories and monuments. A history inspired by the sea: firstly, that of the powerful tides that provide energy for the Rance tidal power station and the old tide mills. It was also the sea that shaped the destinies of the sailors who set off from this estuary to fish for cod off the coast of Canada. Saint-Suliac, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France®, is the stronghold of these legendary heroes.

Walk through its narrow streets with facades decorated with sailors’ nets, so narrow that they are known as “ruettes”.

Along its hundred kilometres, the Rance is home to a fabulous heritage, such as the pretty Malouinières, imposing shipowners’ residences.
Now it’s up to you to go on a treasure hunt to discover them!

Since time immemorial, the River Rance has gently rocked the hearts of the men and women attached to this land, erasing the passage of time and the centuries. There’s no rush here – in a thousand years, nature will still be here, just as powerful and well-preserved. There are even some funny devices for going back in time: tide mills. The one in Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets, the Moulin de Quinard, makes an immediate impact. No sooner do you discover it than you’re transported back to the 19th century. You’re riding through the mist, in the middle of a novel. In Saint-Suliac, the Beauchet Tide Mill starts the journey all over again. Now you can pick up your phone and admire your photos. You’re well and truly in 2025, and your head is full of jewels!