SET OFF AND ENJOY 8 discovery tours · In Marquise de Sévigné country Gates to Brittany Vilaine...

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S E T O F F A N D E N J O Y 8 discovery tours

Transcript of SET OFF AND ENJOY 8 discovery tours · In Marquise de Sévigné country Gates to Brittany Vilaine...

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S E T O F F A N D E N J O Y

8 d i s c o v e r y t o u r s

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These eight discovery tours are an invitation to adventure as they take

you through contrasting countryside and stop off in the centres of our

towns and villages. Covering between 60 and 80 km, they will take

you along often quiet roads, past natural and architectural heritage sites.

Follow the signposts and then marvel at the delightful and memorable

landscapes as you turn a corner or reach a breathtaking vantage point.

Enchanting forests, sunken lanes, rivers and great expanses of water

with lush green banks await you! Or perhaps you are more interested

in architecture? In any case, be sure to get out of the car every now

and again as there are many charming things to do en route. Take your

pick from visiting churches, strolling down mediaeval alleyways,

kayaking or canoeing down rivers, or watching migratory birds.

E d i t o r i a l

DOL AREA DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

TINTÉNIAC-MONTMURAN DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

IN MARQUISE DE SÉVIGNÉ COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

RANCE VALLEY DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

COUESNON VALLEY DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

VILAINE VALLEY DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 TO 16

BROCELIANDE DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 TO 19

GATES TO BRITTANY DISCOVERY TOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 TO 22

C o n t e n t s

K e yD Starting point

Tourist InformationCenterTown of Artand HistorySmall Townof Character

France's mostbeautiful villages

Stop-over village

Brittany's RuralHeritage Villages

Castle, manor houseReligiousheritageMuseum orplace of interest

Megalithicsite

Vantage point

Departmentalwilderness area

Park or gardens

Activity centre

Water sport activitiesTourist InformationPointGolf course

Hiking trail

Mill

Picnic area

Leisure park

Children's playarea

Land yachting

Boat hire

Wildlife park

Harbour

Riverside stop

Bike hire

Outdoor activity circuit

Discovery trail

Canoe hire

Boat trips

Water mill

Horse riding

Airport

SAINT-MALO

RENNES

MONTSAINT-MICHEL

REDON

ANTRAIN

DOL-DE-BRETAGNE

PLÉLAN-LE-GRAND

TINTÉNIACFOUGÈRES

VITRÉ

RanceValley Dol area

CouesnonValley

In Marquisede Sévigné

country

Gatesto Brittany

VilaineValley

Broceliande

TinténiacMontmuran

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N

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Whether crossing woods and marshland

or leisurely following the coast, this tour leads to a land

of legends where the landscapes are both wild

and sculpted by human hand.

DOL AREAdiscovery tour

Between sea and forests…In Le Vivier-sur-Mer, the rows of stakes, usedto grow tasty saffron-coloured mussels, forma surprising scene while in the background,there is a patchwork of polders and marshland.This area, won over from the sea, is todayhome to an abundance of wildlife and greatviews can be had from Roz-sur-Couesnonpanoramic gardens. If you want to get evenhigher, head for Mont-Dol. This 64-metre-highrounded granite hillock is dotted with treesand bushes and is set in the midst of marshland.It is an unusual site where enthusiasts canenjoy specially designed climbing routes.These vast expanses of marshland make wayfor the emerald-green forests of Villecartier,a starting point for delightful hikes.

Surprising architectural remainsIn Dol-de-Bretagne, the half-timbered housesin Grande Rue and Rue Ceinte provide a won-derful glimpse of the Middle Ages. To find outabout the history of the cathedral's Gothicnave (12th, 13th and 15th centuries) visit theMedievalys Middle Ages cathedral discovery centre.The surrounding countryside is home tothe Champ Dolent menhir, one of the tallestin Brittany. And the equally unusual Chappetelegraph tower, located in Saint-Marcan, isthe only one of its kind to have been restoredin the whole département. It was part of a systemlinking Brest to Paris. As for the Cherrueix andMont-Dol mills, they serve as reminders of localpeople's desire to make the most of theirsurroundings. Today, the wind and vast shorelinehere delight land yachting enthusiasts.

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D

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This road tour takes you through an area which has been

marked by history and reveals traces

of its past in the open countryside. TINTÉNIAC-MONTMURANdiscovery tour

From high ridges to green banksThis 70 km tour will take you past landscapesthat have mainly been sculpted by human hand- small wooded plots of land and vast greenexpanses beneath two high ridges. Far frombeing dull, the windy road twists and turns itsway through Saint-Brieuc-des-Iffs. Water featuresin the most beautiful stops of the tour alongthe Ille-et-Rance canal. In fact, in Bazouges-sous-Hédé, no fewer than 11 locks can be madeout along the green banks!

Architectural heritageA tour with an historical feelThe Château de Montmuran, in Les Iffs, hasretained its former charm with its towers anddrawbridge. Bécherel's town walls bear witnessto military activity in the area and the oldworkshops of this Small Town of Characterare today home to bookshops and craftspeople. The Château de La Bourbansais, in Pleugueneuc,boasts a beautifully decorated interior andchildren will enjoy the zoo in its grounds.The Musée de l’outil tool museum ends thistour of Tinténiac and is perfect for learning abouttechniques in days gone by. The countrysideis also dotted with many churches and chapelswith various different bell towers and spires.Take Les Iffs, for example, which boasts a mag-nificent Flamboyant Gothic style church.

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Les Rochers-Sévigné

Forêt du Pertre

VITRÉ

Argentré- du-Plessis

Champeaux

Landavran

Montautour

Châtillon-en-Vendelais

Montreuil-sous-Pérouse

St-M'Hervé

Erbrée

La Chapelle-Erbrée

Mondevert

St Christophe-des-Bois

Val-d’Izé

D 777

D 178

D 857

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D 88

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D 111

D 88

D 17

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D 179

D 305

D 704

D 528

D 24

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D 794

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La VilaineLa Cantache

La Haute-Vilaine

La Valière

In MARQUISE DE SÉVIGNÉ countryExploring Vitré’s countryside

Follow the Marquise de Sévigné tour and discover

the countryside around Vitré, where this French

writer once stayed. Enjoy the wealth of cultural and natural

heritage and the wide range of leisure activities on offer.

A mediaeval centreYou'd think it had come straight out of a fairytale but the Château de Vitré is far from a dream.It is in fact one of the most beautiful citadelsin France and has been overlooking the RiverVilaine since the late 11th century. Visit themuseum to find out more! The mediaeval townis also worth exploring as it boasts colourfulhalf-timbered and slate façades – reminders ofthe wealth of overseas merchants. A mysteriousatmosphere lingers in the steep alleyways andshady squares to Notre-Dame Church, a jewelof Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Not farfrom Vitré, you'll come across the former resi-dence of the Marquise de Sévigné, the Châteaudes Rochers-Sévigné. The tour is of coursedotted with many other architectural treasures,such as Montautour, the surprising neo-GothicChâteau du Bois Cornillé in Val-d’Izé orChampeaux Church and its close!

Reflected in the water…Although history is very much present alongthe tour, the countryside also reveals its gems.Varying in size, the many lakes reflect theirbanks and the beautiful colours of the sky.Choose an original stop-off from the BaseNautique de Haute Vilaine water sports centre, LaValière dam (Vitré), Châtillon-en-Vendelaislake, La Cantache dam and Le Pertre lake.They offer walks along specially designedpaths, fishing, bird watching and even sailing!

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RANCE VALLEYdiscovery tour

Nature at the water's edgeThe River Rance ends its journey in a magnifi-cent ria, where fresh and salt water combine toform a world of wooded coves and wide bays.The estuary is awash with emerald greens anddeep blues. Take Minihic-sur-Rance for example,where La Landriais dry dock bears witness tothe area's former maritime trade. (Newfoundlanddory boats used to be built here). In season,the crowds are far from these tiny havens thatare proudly overlooked by maritime pine trees.

From typical St. Malo residences to forts...The architectural heritage on either side of theriver makes for interesting visits. You can choosefrom Saint-Suliac, one of France's most beautifulvillages, Montmarin mansion in Pleurtuit ortidal mills. There are also various traces ofmilitary architecture, such as the Fort in Saint-Père-Marc-en-Poulet or the surprisingTour Solidor, a tower that stands watch at themouth of the river; it is home to the Muséeinternational des Cap-Horniers Cape Hornersmuseum. The famous privateer town of St.Malo, with its magnificent ship owners' resi-dences and parapet walks, was once a majorfree port and is not to be missed!

Making its way along the water, the Rance Valley tour

goes in search of magnificent landscapes and charming views.

Make the most of the 50 km to explore this area,

characterised by the nearby sea.

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Mézières-sur-Couesnon

St-Ouen-des-Alleux

Le Tiercent

St-Christophe-de-Valains

Chauvigné

St-Jean-sur-Couesnon

St-Marc-le-Blanc

Vieux-Vy-sur-Couesnon

Romazy

Rimou

Antrain

Tremblay

Bazouges-la-Pérouse

St-Aubin-du-Cormier

St-Brice-en-Cogles

La Ville Olivier

La Bourgaignère

LeMoulindu Pont

La Gâterie

Le PâtisBuret

Thélossay

La Hunelais

La Touserie

La Croix Collin

La Chardronnais

St-Georges

La Grande Noë

Vilaune

St-Martin

Montéchard

Brimenel

L'Augeardière

Le Châtel

LaBlochais

La Chevalais

La CâtinaisLa Thévinière

L'Écu

Le Pontavis

Mézaubin

La Fontenelle

La HauteLe Plessis

La Chasserie

Le HautTréhin

Le HouxLe PontAlçon

La Courterie

La Guinebaudais

Le Boisde la vigne

Les BoisBaudry

Le Crapaudet

Le Moulin du Pont La Jardais

Brais

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La Touche

La BasseHaye

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Melleray

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COUESNON VALLEYdiscovery tour

Charming countrysideIn some places, this tour follows countrylanes that wind their way through the ferns,like in Saint-Jean-sur-Couesnon, or under arch-ways of trees, as in Saint-Marc-sur-Couesnon.It crosses a patchwork of tree-lined meadowsset on hillsides and travels past more orderlylandscapes of cultivated fields towards the north.In Vieux-Vy-sur-Couesnon, the road climbsto take in an impressive view with the riverrunning far below. The Couesnon, the star ofthis tour, flows swiftly in some places and gentlyin others. From the Mézières-sur-Couesnonactivity centre, you can hire a canoe and paddledown stream to Mont-Saint-Michel! For thoseof you with a bit more nerve, the site is also idealfor climbing!

Stone treasuresSet in granite country, the valley boasts manyarchitectural jewels, such as Saint-MartinChurch in Le Tiercent, Saint-André Church inAntrain and Notre-Dame Church in Chauvigné.Quincampoix mill in Rimou and Guémainmill in Vieux-Vy-sur-Couesnon once used thepower of the river for paper making or milling.The wide bridge in Antrain, with its three dif-ferent arches, makes for a pleasant stop on thebanks of the river. Granite can also be seen inthe pretty houses dotted along the route, suchas in the hamlets of Montéchard and Brimenel,and the village of Saint-Christophe-de-Valains.

Set off in search of enchanting landscapes

and traditional architecture.

The ever-present River Couesnon is the main theme

on this 80 km tour.

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BROCELIANDEdiscovery tour

A forest of legendsThe greenery of Paimpont forest dominatesthroughout the tour. This mainly privateestate recalls the ancient forest that coveredthe entire Armorican peninsula in 5000 BC.(Hiking is authorised in the private forestalong the G.R. hiking trail from April to Octo-ber). Departmental Wilderness Areas featuresome of the most beautiful landscapes alongthe tour. Migratory birds find refuge on thebanks of the 50-hectare Paimpont lake andalso spend the winter on the Careil estate inIffendic. The stone in Broceliande has sculptedthe landscape, for example the Chambre auxLoups valley in Iffendic has carved out its paththrough red schist cliffs, and there are breath-taking views along the GR 37 hiking trail…

The stones have a story to tellThe Broceliande tour features many examplesof architectural heritage, such as the RomanByzantine Saint-Maxent Church. Tréhorenteuc'sSainte-Onenne Church will delight those seekingthe Holy Grail as it conceals richly decoratedstained glass and mosaics. Imposing Paim-pont abbey church is reflected in the waters ofits lake and is not to be missed! Stroll aroundthe Château de Comper in Concoret. The redschist walls now house the Centre de l’Imagi-naire Arthurien which is open for exhibitions,guided tours of the forest and workshops forchildren. Broceliande is undoubtedly a land oflegends. Perhaps one of its most magical sitesis the Val sans Retour or Valley of No Return.Fairy Morgan La Fay is said to have imprisonedunfaithful lovers here. Don't miss Merlin'stomb, the remains of a passage grave, andViviane's House, a 4,500-year-old burial place.

Broceliande forest invites visitors on a journey to the land of legends.

This 90 km tour takes on the magical feel of the site…

Open countrysideThe Vilaine has sculpted beautiful scenes, ranging from breathtaking landscapes to prettyviews. This tour, tinged with blues andgreens, also has a hint of wilderness. Take forexample Les Corbinières site with its 70-metre-high slopes carpeted with pine forests.Every now and again the road climbs and,through the trees, you'll catch a glimpse of thewooded horizon. In Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande,the river seems to disappear into numerouslakes alongside its banks whereas in La Courbe,part of Bourg-des-Comptes, it traces a wideloop lined with steep hillsides and gravel pits.There is a wealth of nature in the Vilaine Valleyand the plant- and wildlife will delightenthusiasts.

Where water meets stone…The Grand’Rue of Redon and its half-timberedhouses, the ship owners' residences withbeautiful wrought iron balconies along QuaiDuguay-Trouin, and the Tour Richelieu andHôtel de Carmoy residences all bear witnessto Redon's prestigious past. Very early on, thetown featured religious architecture thatreflected its strategic importance. Langon hasa more modest religious heritage but is just ascharming with Saint-Pierre Church andSainte-Agathe Chapel. Close by, the metalcoated Port-de-Roche bridge crosses the riverwith style. Finally, Le Boël lock, in Pont-Réan,is one of the most picturesque sights in thevalley… and the starting point for many hikes.

The River Vilaine, known for its capricious nature,

is also the link between impressive landscapes,

charming villages and towns steeped in history.

Its valley is a starting point for numerous walks.

VILAINE VALLEYdiscovery tour

1716

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D 35

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Le Vallon de la Chambreau loup

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NNNNNBROCELIANDEdiscovery tour

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23

Follow this long winding road tour and enter into a world

where stone, water and plants combine to create the perfect setting.

GATES TO BRITTANYdiscovery tour

22

From wartime to peacetime, the stones tell a story…Having survived the past intact, the castles ofFougères and Vitré bear witness to the defensiverole once played by the area. The immenseFougères fortress is open to the public andreveals its treasures like a genuine book aboutmilitary architecture. Be sure to stroll in thestreets lined with colourful half-timberedfaçades to really get a feel for this town, steepedin history. In Châteaugiron, admire the castle'simposing mediaeval towers and the softerlines of its more welcoming residence.Colourful half-timbered façades can also be seenhere in Rue Madeleine. The tour also featuresexamples of religious heritage and from the194-metre-high Montautour hillock you canenjoy a panoramic view punctuated by nofewer than 32 bell towers and spires!

Linking legends and nature… Ever present and perfect for relaxation, waterprovides the opportunity for delightful stopsalong the tour, such as Chevré lake, crossedby a 13th-century Romanesque bridge or Car-craon lake in Domalain. Marcillé-Robert andChâtillon-en-Vendelais lakes are home tovarious migratory birds that you can watchfrom huts set up within their protected envi-ronment. There is definitely something magical aboutLa Roche-aux-Fées in the Essé hills. This purpleschist megalith in the form of a passage graveis the source of many a tale. The road will takeyou into the heart of beech and oak forests,like Villecartier, or will lead you to the groundsof the Château de La Ballue (Bazouges-la-Pérouze) with its surprising Baroque andmannerist gardens.

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The Conseil général departmental council has fully fundedthe signposts for these departmental tours, approved by the Comité du Tourisme Tourist Board, and hopes you enjoy your visit.

Photos: C. Boisvieux, D. Bonnefoy, B. Bouflet, P. Choleau, B. Demée, A. Dugas, P. Glais, J.P. Gratien,Hokus Pokus, J.M. Lair, M.T. Le Duff, V. Legendre, A. Mauxion, Musées de Vitré, Pays de Fougères, Pays de Redon, J.C. Pinheira, D. Provost, Text: Erik Wietzel - Map illustration: Christophe Esnault - 2009 Edition.

ASK FOR THE DETAILED BROCHURE IN ONE OF THE PAYS TOURISTIQUES

OR IN LOCAL TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES.

Pays Touristique de Brocéliande

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.06.86.07www.broceliande-tourisme.com

G.I.T Pays Touristique de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bretagne RomantiqueTel. +33 (0)2.99.48.34.53

www.paysdelabaie-mtstmichel.com

Maison du tourisme du Pays de Redon

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.71.06.04www.tourisme-pays-redon.com

Pays Touristique des Portes de Bretagne

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.44.58.44www.portes-de-bretagne.com

Pays Touristique des Portes de Bretagne

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.44.58.44www.portes-de-bretagne.com

Pays Touristique de FougèresTel. +33 (0)2.99.94.60.30www.bretagne-fougeres.com

G.I.T Pays Touristique de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bretagne RomantiqueTel. +33 (0)2.99.48.34.53

www.paysdelabaie-mtstmichel.com

Comité Départemental du Tourisme Haute-BretagneIlle-et-Vilaine5, rue du Pré Botté - BP 6014935101 Rennes cedex 3Tel. +33 (0)2.99.78.47.40www.bretagne35.com

Pays Touristique de Fougères

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.94.60.30www.bretagne-fougeres.com

Pays Touristique des Portes de Bretagne

Tel. +33 (0)2.99.44.58.44www.portes-de-bretagne.com

G.I.T Pays Touristique de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bretagne RomantiqueTel. +33 (0)2.99.48.34.53

www.paysdelabaie-mtstmichel.com

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