More Advice on Brittany/Normandy, Please
 

We leave in 6 days and still have 3 nights not planned. Our itinerary so far:

Day 1 - Train CDG to Rennes - stay overnight. I wish we could stay longer, but I really want to get to MSM for the tides schedule. (Don't want to know at this point if that is a mistake :))

Day 2 - MSM afternoon/stay over night/enjoy the uncrowded early morning, I hope!

Day 3, 4 & 5 -- Nothing Planned

Day 6, 7 and 8 -- Bayeux for the D-Day Beaches, Tapestry, etc.

2 Weeks - Paris.

I am thinking of staying in Dinan for the 3 free nights based on other threads.

Good idea? Too long/short? Sites you recommend in the area (have car)? We tend to like scenery and historic sites, enjoy cathedrals, etc., but don't spend a lot of time in them..

Any advice would appreciated.

Hi Celiaanne; Dinan would be wonderful. We will visit Dinan, but have decided to stay in chateaudebouceel.com for three nights. If you hire a car in Rennes, it is just below le Mont St. Michel. You are probably considering Dinard and St Malo, but another town to visit in the area is Fougeres. Iris

Here is a section from my larger Normandy & Brittany:

In June ‘01, we spent 2 weeks in a Gite near Plancoet in Northern Brittany, and 1 week in a Gite near Pont Aven in Southern Brittany. We thought Northern Brittany was prettier and more interesting than Southern Brittany.

Dinan** See DINAN in Michelin Green guide
Follow the itinerary marked in green in the GG
This is perhaps our favorite “smaller” town in Brittany/Normandy
Market day is Thursday

Valle de la Rance** See RANCE in GG
If you need to see some countryside instead of “City” today, then follow the itinerary in the guide (skipping St Malo, Dinan, & Dinard)

Hotel, 4 nights – we stayed in a Gite for 2 weeks in this area, so we don’t have any hotel recommendations. The best location would be near Dinan (near St Malo or Dinard is too crowded & too much sprawl). Dinan has more quaint countryside around it and some nice restaurants and Crepe places. Some hotel options are:
Manoir de la Rance on the Rance estuary in la Jouvente between Dinard & Dinan
L’Hotel D’Avaugor in Dinan
Manoir de Vaumadeuc near Plancoet – this estate is only about 3 miles from the 250 year old Gite where we stayed. It is out in the country, very serene, & is centrally located although not really near any major site. http://www.karenbrown.com/franceinns...vaumadeuc.html

Sun, Mon, & Tues
Take the Rance drive if you didn’t do it yesterday

Cote d’Emeraude See COTE D’EMERAUDE in GG
Bypass St Malo & Dinard, which isn’t easy but should be less hectic on a Sunday
Cancale*
Pointe du Grouin**
St Lunaire (villas) See LUNAIRE in GG
Pointe du Decolle**
Forte la Latte** See LATTE in GG
Cap Frehel*** See FREHEL in GG

If it’s rainy or overcast & not good coast viewing weather, here are some interesting chateaux:
Vitre** See VITRE Must See
Fougeres ** See FOUGERES in GG Must See
Bourbansais* see BOURBANSAIS

If you want to get some exercise, there is a beautiful walk along the shore in Dinard. See DINARD in GG. The walk starts to the left of the beach. There are cliffs above the shore with Gothic/Victorian houses. The Jardin du Port Riou on top of the cliffs (access from below on the shore walk) is quite nice with a good view.

St Malo ***- See ST MALO in GG. Get there at 9:00 & walk along the ramparts first so that you will be finished with them by the time the shops open.
The museum is only OK

Our Favorite restaurants in the Dinan region

Maison Tirel-Guerin Michelin 1 star in La Gouesniere

La Voile d’Or Michelin 1 star in Sables d’Or Les Pins

Les Chalut Michelin 1 star in St Malo

Mere Pourcel in Dinan – very warm/comfortable interior

De La Gare in Ploubalay

Aux Pesked in St Brieuc Michelin 1 star, but it was not a 1 star when we dined there.

Stu Dudley

Rennes is one of our five favorite large cities in France. It takes at least 1/2 day to do it proper. I sure wouldn't short-change Rennes just to see MSM at peak high tide. When we were there, I didn't even notice the tide.

Stu Dudley

Thank you to everyone!

I will look into the various sites and hotels recommended. Glad to hear that Dinan is a good choice.

We will have 1/2 day of jet-lagged touring and the next morning to see Rennes. I know I am shortchanging it, but I just can't fit it all in! :)

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