Any one have opinions on which town would make a better base for a week rental? Any rental suggestions would help too. Thanks.

They're both perfect bases for exploring that area so it comes down to which town do you like better. I, and I think most people, prefer Saint-Malo to Dinard.

There are many websites where you can search for self-catering accommodation in France. The three that I always use are:

www.abritel.fr
www.homelidays.com
www.gites-de-france.com

Here are links to several more:

http://www.fleursdesoleil.fr/
http://gitelink.com/
www.clevacances.com
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
www.frenchconnections.co.uk
www.papvacances.com
www.cheznous.com
www.vacationinfrance.com
www.francelodge.com
www.vrbo.com
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
www.sawdays.co.uk
www.travelzest.com
www.cottages4you.co.uk
http://www.french-guesthouse.com/
http://www.logishotels.com/en.html

You should look at the tourist office websites to learn about these towns:

http://www.ot-dinard.com/?lg=_e&sect...b=&parent=&pj=

http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/

If you want some tips about exploring that area you can look at a trip report I wrote about spending a week in that area that has lots of photos and descriptions of the places I visited. At the end of the report are links to every major tourist office website you'd need to research that area or just about anywhere in Brittany:

http://tinyurl.com/82azcyh

I actually prefer Dinard to St. Malo, which I found to be a bit gloomy. Dinard is very picturesque with many good art galleries and restaurants.

Either one is fine, but I prefer Dinard. I too found St-Malo lacking in distinctiveness and rather dull.

We prefer Dinard also. We rented a Gite near there for 2 weeks in about '01.

Stu Dudley

Thank you very much everyone for your help.

Actually, we have spent time in Dinard twice, and like the town very much because it is young and busy.

We did not get to St. Malo on either trip, and wondered if it would be as appealing as Dinard.

St.Malo seems to have some newly constructed apartments for rent on the beach which look appealing, but if the town is dull,we'll continue to look for something in Dinard.

>> but if the town is dull,we'll continue to look for something in Dinard<<

I often get Dinan and Dinard miked up. I prefer Dinan, and actually didn't like Dinard that much. I think if I had to choose between Dinard and St Malo - I would choose St Malo.

We've visited St Malo several times, and had a very nice dinner there. It's a little touristy - but so is Dinard. We've spent 16 weeks on the Cote d'Azur and found the beaches in Brittany (that are popular with toursits) to be less "sophisticated" than the ones on the Cote d'Azur. In Brittany, I didn't see any "private" sections of the beaches where you could rent a chaise lounge, umbrella, towel, waiters serving drinks/food, restaurants, entertainment - like we enjoy on the Cote d'Azur. If Private sections of beaches isn't your "thing" then this will not be important to you.

Stu Dudley

For those unacquainted with FMT's superb photo essays do yourselves a favour and check out his final link above.

Hey farrermog, thanks for the nice words and Happy Holidays to you.