From: $2,020 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!
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!
Ride along the coast via ‘Pointe du Grouin’, a wonderful point of view facing the sea, before reaching the charming and typical port of Cancale famous for the oyster farms. Enjoy this picturesque fishing harbour offering a wonderful site seeing over the Mont St Michel bay. Continue along the seaside to Le Vivier sur Mer, keeping the Mont St Michel in sight.
Leave the oyster parks of Vivier sur mer to reach the fantastic “Mont Saint Michel”! This rocky islet rises in the bay for more than thousand years and has kept its tradition of welcoming visitors. Enjoy a walk through the authentic medieval streets along timber framed houses. Continue with a visit of the abbey and loose your mind in the labyrinth of the numerous surrounded walls of the city. Then follow the Couesnon Valley to Pontorson.
A stage taking you through the heart of the Breton inlands, punctuated with forests, lakes and little villages. Complete tour stage in the beautiful town of Combourg famous for its medieval fortresses overlooking the “Lac Tranquille” and where the writer Chateaubriand spent his childhood.
At every village, leave the cycling path and discover the heart of the inner lands villages of Brittany. Then reach the Medieval City of Dinan surrounded by walls. Enjoy a walk through the numerous pedestrian streets to discover the timbered framed houses and paved routes.
A day ride on a very pleasant and peaceful cycling path at the rhythm of the Rance canal, locks and house boat cruises. Make a stop in Saint-Suliac, a fishing port that is considered as one of France’s most beautiful villages before cycling through the Rance Valley offering unique panoramic views. End your tour in Saint-Malo, the fabulous “cité des corsaires”. Many legends are still haunting the narrow streets!
Your tour will end today, with departure during the day.
Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full
Date | Accommodation | Double | Single | |
July/August | 3 & 4* Hotels | $ 2,090 | $ 2,960 | |
Other months | 3 & 4* Hotels | $ 2,020 | $ 2,870 |
The accommodations listed below are examples of those usually used on the tour. Depending on availability, you may be booked in a different accommodation of equal quality.
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
Electric bikes can be rented for this tour ($80 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.
