We plan to spend two days and nights in Brittany en Route from Normandy to the Dordogne in June, and are thinking of staying in either Dinan or Fougères. We've visited Mont St Michel before, so will give it a pass, but will probably want to see St. Malo as well.

Any suggestions?

I've stayed in both Dinan and Fougères and preferred the latter. The château there is immense - I think the largest in France - and the town itself is a cheerful place with nice public gardens, pretty architecture ,and a weekend market (I think Saturday, but not quite sure) that features some of the most amazing seafood I've ever laid eyes on. There aren't many restaurants in town, which is a bit of a drawback, but otherwise we loved the town.

Another place to consider staying not far from Fougères is Vire, a beautiful town with some fabulous half-timbered architecture and another nice château. Vire has a great selection of restaurants.

IMO I wouldn't go way out of your way to include St-Malo. Traffic there is a bit of a nightmare in summer and frankly, I didn't "get" what was so special about it.

I spent a half day in Saint-Malo while visiting the Channel Islands. I liked it so much that I visited Mont St Michel and Cancale on my next trip to the region.

My photos and comments from Saint-Malo are at http://mightymac.org/gb29a.htm and the next page (gb29b.htm) so you can decide if your taste is more like mine or StCirq's.

Keith

Thanks for the help. Any recommendations for hotels, restaurants?

Since you're going to visit Dinan, consider driving a short way over to the town of Plancoët (which has its own mineral spring) and staying at the hotel L'Ecrin--and dining at the 2* restaurant Jean-Pierre Crouzil, who owns the entire operation. The hotel is decorated in contemporary/country style and is lovely, especially for the price range. (Check out the rooms on the web site; you can choose the one you want.) The meals are absolutely fabulous, and the town itself is quite picturesque.

I really enjoyed visiting St. Malo and actually stayed there for two nights at the Hotel et Chateubriand. From that base, I visited Mont St. Michel and also Dinan. You can take a boat from St. Malo to Dinan, explore Dinan and then return by Bus. It was very enjoyable with nice scenery down the River Rance. I also stayed in Fougeres just for one night at a basic hotel which I think was the Citotel. I had one of the best meals ever in Fougeres at a restaurant called Les Voyageurs. It was adjacent to the hotel and was tentative because we were the only patrons in the relatively large dining room. Everything was magnificent from the complimentary appetizers to the dessert. It was also quite a bargain at about $25 euros. Only one other couple at there the whole night and I certainly don't know why this place wasn't packed given the quality, presentation and value of the food. I can say though that it is about five minutes on foot from the town center which was more touristed. I also enjoyed Vitre as a place to tour.
Ellen

Dinan and Fougeres are both pleasant towns. I've perhaps a slight preference for Fougeres because in Dinan, only a part of the town is historical, and the rest is devoid of any interest, while most of Fougeres is quaint. On the other hand, the little (very) steep street going from the historical part of Dinan to the little port on the estuary of the Rance, the view of Dinan's wall from this estuary, etc...are quite nice.

You could as well toss a coin, IMO. Vitre is quaint too. Though I would rather choose one of the two others.

I would also point out (assuming you'll have a car), close to St-Malo, the beautiful "Cap Frehel" and the nearby impressive castle of "Fort Lalatte", build on a cliff above the sea, which are worth a visit.

Clairobscur, you always have great insight to places. Wish you would post more. You are always so helpful.

You must see the Pointe du Raz when the surf is crashing and the fume is flying.
Try to go early morning for this breath taking place befor the carpark is filled. Wear good walking shoes, the cliff paths should be walked with caution.

We were considering a stop in Dinan on our way to Normandy from the Dordogne. But now I am wondering if we should consider Fougeres or Vitre because it is really more on the way. Can anyone recommend a hotel or b&b in those towns? I am leaning toward Fougeres for some reason... any thoughts?

both are close. The origional 11th centry chateau, one of the biggest in Europe, is enclosed by a wall with thirteen remaining towers. There's a sidewa;lk atop to lead you to a tower where there is a museum of shoes which was Fourges industry. Vetre is smaller and better preserved. Four miles south is the Chateau des Rochers-Sévigné where Mde Séigné wrote the famous witty letters to her daughter(gives you an isea about life in France at that time.)

To the top, please!