Cycling Holiday in North Brittany

The French poet Chateaubriand once described his native town Saint-Malo as a granite citadel. The historic old town is located at the mouth of the Rance. The seafaring city is surrounded by imposing walls facing the Atlantic ocean on three sides. Get in the mood for your cycle tour in North Brittany and take a tour on the ramparts. Enjoy the view across the lively harbour, the white sandy beaches and the emerald green sea. The cosy old town and its narrow cobbled streets are home to numerous restaurants serving Breton specialties. You are sure to find a nice spot here for the first dinner of your bike tour!

You cycle along the Rance delta on beautiful little roads with picturesque views. You can see your destination Dinan with its castle and high city walls from afar. Dinan is one of the oldest towns in Brittany. Get off your bike and explore the old town on foot. It features its numerous colorful half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages. The steep cobbled Rue du Jerzual is full of traditional workshops and stores run by weavers, glassblowers and wood gilders.

Today, the route follows a towpath directly along the banks of the Rance river. Just past Dinan, you pass the small village of Léhon with the picturesque Saint-Magloire Abbey. Continue cycling through the interior of North Brittany, past beautiful green countryside to Combourg. Idyllically situated on Lac Tranquille, this tranquil town is closely associated with Chateaubriand. The most famous French Romantic writer spent his childhood in the castle of Combourg. You should not miss out on a visit to this picture-book castle. You can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding area from the battlements.

Today's stage of your cycle tour in North Brittany takes you past beautiful pastures and river meadows to Fougères. The landmark of the town on the Nançon is its imposing medieval castle. Once used to defend the Breton duchy it is still considered a masterpiece of military architecture. Visit the castle and stroll through the pretty alleyways and streets of Fougères. The medieval quarter with its half-timbered houses and the remains of fulling and tan mills on the banks of the Nançon is well worth a visit.

From Fougères, you cycle slowly back towards the coast to discover the borderlands between Brittany and Normandy. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and the idyllic little Breton villages along the way. Right at the beginning the forest and gorge-rich route includes a few climbs. The last section of the stage takes you along the river Couesnon. It forms the boundary between Brittany and Normandy. Your stage destination Pontorson is located in Normandy. The town is considered the gateway to the world-famous Mont-Saint-Michel monastery castle which is just about ten kilometers away.

After a short time on the saddle, you will reach Mont-Saint-Michel. It is the cultural highlight of your cycling holiday in North Brittany. This masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic architecture impresses even from afar. Pilgrims, monks and knights once lived on the mighty granite rock in the Wadden Sea. Take your time and explore the interlocking buildings and narrow alleyways. Then cycle through polder landscapes along the coast to Cancale. The picturesque harbor town is famous for its oyster farming. Whether in a restaurant or at one of the numerous stalls in the harbour: This delicacy is definitely a must-try!

Along the Côte d'Émeraude – the Emerald Coast – you will experience the rugged beauty of the Breton coastal landscape up close. After a few kilometers of cycling, you will reach the Pointe du Grouin. The headland offers great panoramic views and is home to a rich bird and plant life. You cycle past beautiful beaches and cliffs. If the weather permits take a dip in the sea.  The fine sandy beach of Anse du Guesclin is the perfect location. Refreshed, you tackle the last section of your cycling holiday in North Brittany. From afar you see the unique silhouette of your stage destination Saint-Malo in the distance.

After breakfast, your cycle tour in North Brittany comes to an end. If you don't want to say goodbye to the beautiful Breton coast today, we will be happy to extend your stay in Saint-Malo.