From: $2,060 USD
This magnificent tour will allow you to discover the heart of Brittany. It’s a land where villages and castles, shores and bocages, are in total harmony with the land and the sea. The ride will take you through the UNESCO World Heritage site Mont Saint Michel to the “pirate town” of Saint-Malo along the marvelous Emerald coast. When you take a walk through the cobbled streets of St Malo’s old town, it will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The town and busy ferry port offer visitors an authentic glimpse into Brittany’s important seafaring past. Along the way, you should make sure to sample some of Brittany’s culinary delights, such as raw oysters on the half shell and the delicious dry cider which is made in small, local orchards. It’s a trip that shouldn’t be missed!
Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full
Accommodation | Double | Single | |
Hotels | $ 2,060 | $ 2,990 |
Day 1: Arrival in St. Malo
Arrive at your leisure in St. Malo. This town was originally built on a rocky island at the mouth of the Rance estuary, allowing it to control trade heading into the center of Brittany. Now grand fortifications guard charming rows of five-story houses topped with gray roofs (a little like life-sized dollhouses), restored after bombing during the war. Take a walk along its city walls, stroll along the golden coast, and sample one of the numerous restaurants in the city. We recommend trying some seafood!
Day 2: St Malo – Dinan – 22 miles (35 km)
With a short ride today, you will be able to take your time in the morning to see anything you might have missed in St. Malo the night before. For the first part of your ride, you’ll travel through countryside, crossing numerous villages with typical blue-shuttered houses and stone facades.
You’ll continue your ride along the river Rance on a peaceful cycling path until you reach the medieval city of Dinan, which is surrounded by walls. You can enjoy a walk through the steep pedestrian streets to discover the timbered-framed houses and cobblestone passages.
Day 3: Dinan – Combourg – 21 or 27 miles (34 or 44 km)
Today’s ride will take you on a very pleasant and peaceful cycling path to the rhythm of the Rance canal, locks, and houseboats. At every village, you will leave the cycling path and discover the heart of the inner villages of Brittany. Later, you’ll cross the bocage, a terrain of mixed woodland and pasture, with fields and winding country lanes sunken between narrow low ridges and banks surrounded by tall, thick hedgerows that shelter from the wind. You will then arrive in Combourg with its impressive feudal castle situated near a wide pond. Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner in your hotel.
Day 4: Combourg – Fougères – 33 miles (53 km)
Your ride from Combourg will take you into the heart of Brittany with its vestiges of the mysterious local civilization that formerly celebrated the worship of stone. It was a kingdom of legend and tradition. In the afternoon you’ll have some time to discover the city of Fougères with its architectural and religious heritage, forests, and gardens. This prestigious medieval city is overlooked by its imposing and famous fortress, known as one of the finest in Europe. Don’t miss a visit at the chateau! Dinner tonight will be in your hotel’s restaurant.
Day 5: Fougères – Pontorson – 30 miles (48 km)
The ride today will be an easy one, with most of the day spent on a former railway path converted into a cycling path. Along the way you’ll cross typical small villages where you might find a cozy spot for a sandwich and a cider. Then you will follow the Couesnon Valley until Pontorson, a peaceful village on the way to Mont Saint Michel. Dinner will be in your hotel.
Day 6: Pontorson – Le Vivier sur Mer – 20 miles (33 km)
Today will be devoted to the discovery of the wonder of Mont Saint Michel. This rocky islet has stood proudly in the bay for more than thousand years. After new construction was completed in 2015, the abbey is once again ready to welcome visitors to the island. You can enjoy a walk through the authentic, narrow medieval streets with timber-framed houses and charming shops. If you take a visit in the abbey be careful not to get too lost in the labyrinth of the numerous surrounding walls! After this lengthy period of walking, the ride in the afternoon will take you on a peaceful cycling path through the countryside and fields towards the seaside and Le Vivier sur mer, famous for its oyster farms. Your dinner tonight will be in your hotel.
Day 7: Le Vivier sur Mer – St Malo – 25 miles (40 km)
You will start the day riding the inner lands through typical small villages and countryside before arriving in Cancale, a picturesque fishing harbor along the granite coast. You can enjoy the beautiful view from this bay and taste the fresh seafood the local fishermen bring in every morning. Then, continue along the coast towards Pointe du Grouin, offering a wonderful wide view over the sea. This place is also a bird sanctuary. Afterwards, your ride will continue until you return to St. Malo, the “City of the Sea.” Dinner tonight will be in your hotel.
Day 8: Tour Ends
Your tour will end today, with departure during the day.
Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($100 per person).We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They’re heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats, and bike trailers.
The hotels listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different hotel of equal quality.
Enter the elegant and soothing universe of the 4-star Hotel La Villefromoy, an authentic villa in Saint-Malo. This boutique hotel invites you to relax, just 40 meters from Rochebonne beach. Take a leisurely 30-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride to the old walled town.
Le Jerzual Hotel Located at Port de Dinan at the base of the medieval city. The hotel is located at the Port de Dinan. Rich in art and history, Dinan is a medieval town close to Dinard and Saint-Malo.
Hotel du Chateau is Located between a medieval castle and quiet lake, the Hotel du Chateau is the ideal destination to discover the Emerald Coast and Upper Brittany. Here you will find calm and comfort, along with a high-quality restaurant, whose menu is full of local specialties.
Hotel des Voyageurs In the small medieval town of Fougères, discover the simple, cozy charm of the Hotel des Voyageurs. The hotel has an excellent location at the foot of the castle, belfry, public gardens and town centre restaurants, and the hotel is within easy reach of major attractions, including the D-Day landing beaches.
Hotel Ariane The Ariane Hotel is in the center of the charming town of Pontorson, on the borders of Normandy and Brittany. The ideal place for your stay, you will have easy access to the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel, among other sights. At the hotel’s restaurant you can enjoy a cuisine of regional flavors.
This comfortable, elegant 4-star hotel is nestled in the heart of a landscape garden and boasts a stunning view over the bay of Mont Saint Michel. The restaurant offers a panoramic view of the sea and Mont Saint Michel bay, as well as authentic, gourmet cuisine. Ideally located a few minutes from the medieval village of Mont Saint Michel, the hotel will be your haven of peace during your stay.
I chose this tour because of Van Gogh’s reputation and the itinerary and it was wonderful. The hotels were carefully chosen and better than expected. There are lovely bike paths along the Rance River and routes along farm roads that were biking at its best. Denise was easily accessible to help with any detail. This was our fifth tour with Van Gogh and they provide the best experience and value in biking.
Jeannie McRae, September 2022
Van Gogh Tours
Hoorn, The Netherlands
+1(781)646-0096
Office hours 9 am – 5 pm EST
vangogh@vangoghtours.com
