|
Places to Visit - all less than 60 minutes awayGites la Vallée is an ideal base from which to explore the diverse Bretagne region of France. It is a popular destination for both French and International visitors alike, with people returning again and again.
|
|
Whether you want an activity holiday, a holiday full of cultural or culinary experiences or just a relaxing getaway-from-it all to recharge the batteries, there is something here for everyone.
We are lucky to have some amazing coastlines with beautiful beaches and fabulous towns and villages virtually on our doorstep, with great shopping, markets and medieval quarters brimming with character.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Here is just a selection of what's on offer:-
Dinan, our closest city, less than a 10 mins drive, stands on a hillside overlooking the River Rance and is an extremely attractive medieval walled town. Walk the ramparts, visit the chateau and rail museum, take a boat ride along the river, play crazy golf, hire a bike, climb the Tour de l’Horoge, shop at the famous market or independent boutiques and craft shops along the many cobbled streets or just sit at a creperie down at the port and watch the people and boats go by. Take the Petit Train de Dinan – a road train with covered carriages that shows you the sights of Dinan or visit the lovely park, Jardin de Val Cocheral, where you will find climbing frames, swings, slides, mini golf, ice cream parlour and plenty of animals
St Malo, the ancient historic city of pirates, wander the ramparts and narrow streets, with many fresh seafood restaurants and bars shop in the many great shops, walk out to one of the forts at low tide or visit the aquarium.
Rennes, the picturesque capital of Brittany is easily accessible, wander the historic centre and museums, shop in the designer stores or at the Marche de Lices (the second largest market in France).
Jersey. Take a day trip with Condor Ferries from St Malo. Cheaper to go as a foot passenger and only 10 mins walk into town.
Mont St Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and said to be the Eighth Wonder of the World, the medieval abbey imposingly stands like a fairy tale castle together with its small city on a rock off shore. One of the most visited sites in France and only 30 mins drive away.
Cancale - famous for its seafood - visit La Ferme Marine de Cancale (a working oyster farm) or sample the oysters from the stalls at the beach. You will be spoilt for choice by the number of seafood restaurants along the promenade (they do serve dishes for the meat eaters too). Some lovely beaches on the headland too.
Chateaux at Dinan, Evran (Beaumanoir), Lehon, Combourg, Hunandaye, Fort La Latte, Caradeuc (castle and park – near Becherel) and Bourbansais (which also has a zoo and gardens), Chateau de Hac at Le Quiou (open August and September. If you have bikes cycle the cycle path from Saint-Andre-des-Eaux)
Gardens – La Ballue, Montmarin, Parc Floral de Haute Bretagne
Zoo de la Boubansais – Pleugeneuc – zoo with falconry and horse and hound displays. Childrens areas with bouncy castle.
Grand Aquarium – St Malo
Cobac Parc – a mad theme park with its own water park
Alligator Bay – near Mont St Michel - alligators, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and tortoises
Harras de Lamballe – a heavy horse stud with unique shows on Thursdays.
Forest of Paimpont – Ancient forest which, legend has it is the location of Broceliande, the mythical forest of King Arthur.
Not forgetting Brittany’s renowned beaches and seaside resorts. There is a great selection from quiet, sandy, secluded coves with rock pools to investigate to more easily accessible family beaches with promenades lined with ice cream parlors, lifeguard patrolled swimming and activities such as, water sports, surfing, scuba diving, trampolines and beach volley ball.: Dinard, Saint Malo, St-Jacut de la Mer, St-Cast-le-Guildo, Erquy, St Lunaire
‘Les Petites Cités de Caractère’ (little towns of character), such as Lehon, where you can visit the Benedictine Abbey, swim in the open- air swimming pool or walk along the River Rance to Dinan; Jugon les Lacs, where you can lunch in the market square, then hire bikes for the many trails or walk to the lake for swimming, kayaking or pedaloes. Another nearby, Becheral, is the “book capital” of Brittany, with numerous bookshops and many events on it’s calendar relating to books.
We are lucky to have some amazing coastlines with beautiful beaches and fabulous towns and villages virtually on our doorstep, with great shopping, markets and medieval quarters brimming with character.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Here is just a selection of what's on offer:-
Dinan, our closest city, less than a 10 mins drive, stands on a hillside overlooking the River Rance and is an extremely attractive medieval walled town. Walk the ramparts, visit the chateau and rail museum, take a boat ride along the river, play crazy golf, hire a bike, climb the Tour de l’Horoge, shop at the famous market or independent boutiques and craft shops along the many cobbled streets or just sit at a creperie down at the port and watch the people and boats go by. Take the Petit Train de Dinan – a road train with covered carriages that shows you the sights of Dinan or visit the lovely park, Jardin de Val Cocheral, where you will find climbing frames, swings, slides, mini golf, ice cream parlour and plenty of animals
St Malo, the ancient historic city of pirates, wander the ramparts and narrow streets, with many fresh seafood restaurants and bars shop in the many great shops, walk out to one of the forts at low tide or visit the aquarium.
Rennes, the picturesque capital of Brittany is easily accessible, wander the historic centre and museums, shop in the designer stores or at the Marche de Lices (the second largest market in France).
Jersey. Take a day trip with Condor Ferries from St Malo. Cheaper to go as a foot passenger and only 10 mins walk into town.
Mont St Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and said to be the Eighth Wonder of the World, the medieval abbey imposingly stands like a fairy tale castle together with its small city on a rock off shore. One of the most visited sites in France and only 30 mins drive away.
Cancale - famous for its seafood - visit La Ferme Marine de Cancale (a working oyster farm) or sample the oysters from the stalls at the beach. You will be spoilt for choice by the number of seafood restaurants along the promenade (they do serve dishes for the meat eaters too). Some lovely beaches on the headland too.
Chateaux at Dinan, Evran (Beaumanoir), Lehon, Combourg, Hunandaye, Fort La Latte, Caradeuc (castle and park – near Becherel) and Bourbansais (which also has a zoo and gardens), Chateau de Hac at Le Quiou (open August and September. If you have bikes cycle the cycle path from Saint-Andre-des-Eaux)
Gardens – La Ballue, Montmarin, Parc Floral de Haute Bretagne
Zoo de la Boubansais – Pleugeneuc – zoo with falconry and horse and hound displays. Childrens areas with bouncy castle.
Grand Aquarium – St Malo
Cobac Parc – a mad theme park with its own water park
Alligator Bay – near Mont St Michel - alligators, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and tortoises
Harras de Lamballe – a heavy horse stud with unique shows on Thursdays.
Forest of Paimpont – Ancient forest which, legend has it is the location of Broceliande, the mythical forest of King Arthur.
Not forgetting Brittany’s renowned beaches and seaside resorts. There is a great selection from quiet, sandy, secluded coves with rock pools to investigate to more easily accessible family beaches with promenades lined with ice cream parlors, lifeguard patrolled swimming and activities such as, water sports, surfing, scuba diving, trampolines and beach volley ball.: Dinard, Saint Malo, St-Jacut de la Mer, St-Cast-le-Guildo, Erquy, St Lunaire
‘Les Petites Cités de Caractère’ (little towns of character), such as Lehon, where you can visit the Benedictine Abbey, swim in the open- air swimming pool or walk along the River Rance to Dinan; Jugon les Lacs, where you can lunch in the market square, then hire bikes for the many trails or walk to the lake for swimming, kayaking or pedaloes. Another nearby, Becheral, is the “book capital” of Brittany, with numerous bookshops and many events on it’s calendar relating to books.