4 Best Hotels in Brittany, France

Bright, welcoming, and blissfully quiet, there's plenty to love about this bed-and-breakfast set in an 18th-century mansion on a lovely 22-acre wooded property a 20-minute drive from Rennes. Spacious, contemporary rooms are decorated with tasteful art (art collecting is the owners' passion) and a mix of modern and antique furniture. Bathrooms are roomy and the extensive gardens are lovely for a stroll or for enjoying a delicious breakfast. Home-cooked dinners (by reservation) mean you hardly need to leave the property, but there's plenty to see within an easy drive. A charming vine-clad rental cottage is also available at a steal for a larger family.

Up a storybook-perfect street lined with ancient half-timber houses, this fetching maison d'hôte dates to the 15th century and has been brought up-to-date in the best way, retaining much of its substantial character and charm. Each of five cozy guest rooms is done up in period antiques with botanical prints and matching fabrics. The Pastorale room, all in sky-blue toile, has Oriental rugs and a view over the pretty garden; the largest room, La Messidor, has a fireplace, rustic antiques, and a view through leaded-glass windows to the quiet street below. Breakfast (included) is served in a quaint dining room or outdoors in the garden with views of the medieval city.

Between Dinard and St-Malo on the beautiful Rance Estuary, this newly renovated country estate provides exceptional comfort and style inside and great views outside, courtesy of its promontory perch. Medieval Dinan is 10 minutes away by car, the beaches of Dinard are 15, St-Malo is 20, and looming Mont-St-Michel is 40, making le manoir an ideal base for exploring Brittany's Emerald Coast. Rooms are tasteful, many with timbered ceilings; and the bar, lounge, and terraces ensure that opportunities for relaxation are ample.

At this cozy B&B set in a charming 16th-century half-timbered house, your host goes out of her way to ensure a warm welcome and total comfort. The beautiful decor capitalizes on the historic building's lovely assets, including massive wooden beams, parquet or French-tiled floors, pretty windows, and fireplaces. All of the rooms (there are three guest rooms, a spacious suite, and an apartment for families) have a kitchenette, a sitting area, and contemporary bathrooms. Breakfasts, included in the price, are a highlight.