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The Heart of Brittany

From: $2,020 USD

7 Days / 6 Nights
Type: Self-Guided
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Imagine Yourself…

  • Letting your imagination run wild in a pirate town along the Emerald Coast
  • Enjoying local, fresh seafood in a small fishing village
  • Cycling peaceful roads beside forests, fields, and hedgerows
  • Breaking for a wholesome lunch of a sandwich and cider
  • Crossing to the rocky, medieval islet of Mont Saint Michel

Overview

Van Gogh Tours - The heart of Brittany France - Cycle TourThis 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!

Daily Itinerary

  • 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 – Le Vivier sur Mer – 20 or 25 miles (32 or 40 km)

    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.

  • Day 3: Le Vivier su Mer – Pontorson (Mont St. Michel) – 22 or 24 miles (35 or 38 km)

    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.

  • Day 4: Pontorson – Combourg – 30 miles (49 km)

    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.

  • Day 5: Combourg – Dinan - 21 miles (34 km) / Option ride + 6 miles (9 km)

    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.

  • Day 6: Dinan – Saint Malo - 22 miles (35 km)

    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!

  • Day 7: Tour Ends

    Your tour will end today, with departure during the day.

Dates & Prices

Green = Open | Yellow = Limited | Red = Full

2024

  • Prices are per person in US Dollars – inclusive bike rental
  • Choose your own starting date

Date

Accommodation

Double

Single

July/August

3 & 4* Hotels

$ 2,090

$ 2,960

Other months

3 & 4* Hotels

$ 2,020

$ 2,870


  • This tour can be guided upon request

Terms and Conditions

Accommodations

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.

Reviews

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


 

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Included

  • Accommodations in small three and four-star hotels
  • 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners
  • 21-speed bike rental,  panniers, lock, repair kit and map holder 
  • Luggage transportation (pieces of luggage limited to 1 per person and 32 pounds per piece)
  • Route directions, maps, and local brochures
  • Personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
  • Emergency service phone number 7 days a week

Bikes

Bikes are included in the price of the tour. Bikes are well-maintained 21-speed unisex bikes, equipped with saddlebags, repair kit, odometer, and lock. Bike helmet on request. 

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.

Van Gogh Tours - The heart of Brittany France - Cycle Tour   Van Gogh Tours - The heart of Brittany France - Cycle Tour

Meals

Included in the tour price you’ll receive daily buffet breakfast and dinner. For the buffet breakfasts there’s an assortment of cold meats and cheeses, eggs, bread, jams, cereal, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and tea. For lunches you will be in a town so you can find lunch at a restaurant on your own. Dinners are three-courses with either a set menu or a choice of two options. We can accommodate many types of dietary restrictions including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy free. Please indicate these requests at the time of booking.

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Beverages
  • Lunches
  • Other items of a personal nature
  • Travel/Cancellation insurance
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