I'm traveling to Brittany in September and am trying to decide on a 3-day base for exploring Dinan, St-Malo, Cancale, Mont-St-Michel, etc. I'm deciding between staying in Dinan (Hôtel Le d’ Avaugour) vs. staying just outside Cancale at the Pointe (La Pointe du Grouin).
I'm leaning toward the Dinan location, but my concern is (a) Parking and (b) dealing with driving out/in Dinan everyday.
Any advice on this decisioin (and/or suggestion of another base/Hotel).
Thanks in advance.

i_trav

I can heartily recommend a stay at the <b>Manoir de la Rance</b>, between Dinard and Dinana, near the village of Pleurtuit. We based there a few years ago and took in a good chunk of Eastern Brittany (had been west a year before that). The Manoir is in the country side, on the banks of the Rance River..very picturesque area..the manor is very comfortable and cozy. Recommended in Hotels of Character and Charm...when we were there rates were in the vicinity of $120+ with a nice full breakfast, not included. I think Karen Brown features it now.

Parking in Dinan can be somewhat easier if you come in on the river road below....where the boats are docked. We never had a problem and it was spring....we dropped into walled St. Malo, Cancale, Dinard, and a goodly portion of the scenic coastal road west from there...

We drove to Rennes to drop our car and take the train direct to CDG.

stu t.

you're getting all thre Stus.

Dinan would be a great base. We stayed nearby in a gite for 2 weeks. There are several huge lots where you can park. One of them is mostly underground. Nice weekly market too.

Consider Stu T's recommendation. I've never stayed there, but it's in a good location and I trust Karen Brown (and Stu T too) 100%.

Stu Dudley

I was in Brittany a year ago for a 2-week stay. I also debated back and forth about basing in Dinan, or somewhere nearby. I ended up staying for 4 nights at the Hotel du Chateau in Combourg, which is about 20 minutes from Dinan.
Combourg is a cute town, easy to navigate in and out of, with a pretty lake and chateau. Easy to get to Mt. St. Michel and other sites to the West. I was solo, and was quite happy with this place. The hotel had a great restaurant, plus another good restaurant in town (the town seemed quite popular). Dinan was a beautiful, medieval, very interesting town. I don't think you could go wrong staying there, either. I had considered staying at the Hotel Le Challonge in Dinan, which was near a large public parking area - I don't think it would be too difficult for parking in Dinan. Since I had 2 weeks, I stayed in several hotels in different parts of Brittany, as I'd rather do that than long driving days sightseeing, especially being solo
(navigator and driver!).

I'm sure the Manoir de la Rance is beautiful, too, with a lovely setting. I researched alot of places! You will love Brittany. One note, however, I don't think I would want to stay anywhere near St. Malo! I got lost just trying to get into that place. Too many people,etc. I would prefer Dinan much over Cancale, too.

Hi --

I stayed at the Le d’ Avaugour two years ago. The owner upgraded us to a larger room because we were spending three nights and was very helpful with advice and directions. We were able to park on the street within a block or two of the hotel every day except market day, when we used one of the nearby lots. We thought the town was charming.

Don't miss a walk along the Rance, nor a visit to Fougeres (if you like castles).

I love Dinan! The Hôtel Le d’ Avaugour is also a good hotel. It is a little bit dated but the owner (Nicolai) and staff are very helpful and friendly. The breakfast is good. I recommend a garden room. There is a lot of parking in front of the hotel and across the street. I think you don't have to pay between 6 pm and 9 am, not sure about the exact time. If you did have to pay, it is cheap.

We love the restaurant Le Cottage. Great seafood, lamb (which my husband had pretty much very night we were there) and dessert!

There is a Point between St. Malo and Cancale my husband and I hiked, unfortunately I can't remember the name. I am mentioning it because it was absolutley beautiful and breath taking. We took a wrong turn and ended there on our way to Mont St. Michel. I will let you know the name when he gets off the golf course. It is one of those places you must see. You will love Brittany.

La Pointe Du Grouin

I stayed at Le Logis du Jerzual in Dinan last May. It was very nice. We had dinner a few steps away at Le Cottage. The dinner was good and the waitstaff very nice. Dinan was fortunate to not have been destroyed during the WWs and has a lot of beautiful half-timbered buildings. You can take a walk along a path to a nearby town, Lehon which has an Abby and the oldest castle in Brittany. I wish had been able to stay more than one day, but alas our trip was short.

I stayed in Dinan at Hôtel Le d’ Avaugour on our France trip in 2007. We visited St. Malo, Cancale, Mont St. Michael all from our hotel location. It is a nice hotel, good pictures on the website. We actually had one of the rooms pictured. Good breakfast each morning and a nice lounge area for drinks at cocktail time.

The town is wonderful for walking. Lots of interesting sights. The hill down to the Rance River is very steep but well worth the walk. We dined one evening at Le Cottage. Recommend it.