Stopover in Dinan-Cap Fréhel
Are you going to visit Brittany soon? You're in luck ! Morbihan, Finistère, Côtes d'Armor... There are many beautiful destinations to visit in this incredible region of France. For a day, for a weekend or a week's vacation, take the time to stop at Dinan-Cap Frehel ! A few kilometers from the Emerald Coast, this medieval Breton town has everything to capsize your heart.
Brittany by the sea from Dinan
Notice to hiking enthusiasts, you will love visiting Brittany! To explore the sublime coasts of Brittany, follow the GR 34 customs footpath. The latter makes the complete tour of Brittany from North to South. It will take you through the most beautiful places such as the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the corsair city of Saint-Malo. Here are the two essential stages of the Breton coast, if you are passing through Dinan!
Cap Frehel
Impossible to visit Brittany without planning a walk on the Cap Fréhel. Only an hour from Dinan by car, from its tip you can contemplate the bay of Saint-Brieuc to the east and the bay of Saint-Malo to the west. In all seasons, the pink sandstone cliffs overlooking the sea offer a landscape worthy of the most beautiful postcards... Remember to take your camera, the customs trail has the most beautiful spots to take magnificent shots !
The Emerald Coast
By following the GR 34, you will also discover the Emerald Coast, 40 kilometers long, its name comes from the color of the water, which is accentuated in emerald green with the light of the sun. She is one of the most visited coasts in Brittany since there is the famous Sillon beach, one of the beaches of Saint-Malo.
Visit Northern Brittany
Visit Brittany, it also means exploring the valleys hidden there. On the program: cities, villages, heritage treasures and above all, an incomparable nature to discover.
The Arguenon Valley
To the west of Dinan, the Arguenon Valley offers beautiful walks in the heart of nature. By kayak on the river of the same name or on a hike, strolling in the Arguenon valley is to treat yourself to an enchanted parenthesis. Going up the estuary of the river towards the English Channel, you will arrive at the foot of the peninsula of Saint-Jacut-de-la-mer, one more visit to add to your circuit in Brittany.
Rance Valley
During your stay in Brittany, take the time to explore the Rance Valley after your visit to the city of Dinan. Calm and peaceful, the Rance is both river and maritime, it is what sculpts the valley! On foot, by bike, on a boat or even on horseback, follow the signposted circuit along the water: it will lead you to many treasures of Breton heritage.
Would you like to have a taste? The Rance Valley will reveal its villages, its mills, its ports, without forgetting its locks, its fishing boats and its predominant wild nature...
Country of Caulnes and Du Guesclin
To the south of Dinan, find a typical example of the Breton countryside: the Pays de Caulnes et du Guesclin. This unique place takes you out of time and invites you to fish! In Brittany, the fresh water fishing is a religion. Come and tickle the carp in Caulnes or Broons or simply stroll along the meanders of the Rance.
Discover the treasures of Brittany: 6 towns and historic sites
In northern Brittany, there are certain towns and historical sites that you should not miss. Here are some tours to add to your Breton circuit :
Dinan-Cap Frehel
First up: the Medieval city of Dinan, where the cobbled streets overlooked by half-timbered houses transport you to a dream of Art and History. Take a tour of the Saint-Sauveur Basilica, the Clock Tower, the Church of Saint-Malo, the Château de Dinan and its ramparts...
On Place Saint-Sauveur, take the time to sit down on the café terrace to treat yourself to a gourmet break. Then continue towards the rue du Jerzual, lined with charming shops and small artists' studios. Below is the port of dinan awaits you for a nice walk along the Rance.
→ If you want to extend your stay in Dinan, you can book a hotel certified by the Tourist Office here!
Léhon, the Small City of Character in Brittany
From the port of Dinan, the towpath will take you to Léhon, the small town of character in Brittany, just 2 kilometers away. In this small town, walk between the stone houses and the cobbled streets. Climb up to the Château de Léhon, whose ruins still bear witness to the past of the place.
On your way, push the doors of theSaint-Magloire de Léhon Abbey and step into the shoes of a monk in this former XNUMXth century Benedictine monastery. Beginning the visit with the abbey church and its magnificent architectural details, continue through the cloister and the monks' refectory, without forgetting to stroll through the gardens of the Abbey.
Fort La Latte
Looking for an unmissable monument to visit in Brittany? Fort La Latte is undoubtedly a visit not to be missed. In addition to being the most visited monument in Brittany, this listed historic monument awaits you in a remarkable natural environment.
To reach it, it is possible to take the customs footpath (GR 34) or to get there by car, count an hour from Dinan. The most curious will opt for the guided tour of Fort La Latte, suitable for children.
Inside, let yourself be guided by the information panels and the medieval decorations which transport you back centuries: drawbridge, towers, old stables, walkways... It's a journey through time share ! The highlight of the show is at the top of the Donjon, where the view of the Brittany coast is absolutely remarkable.
Cap Fréhel lighthouse
From the keep of Fort La Latte, you can see it: Cap Fréhel lighthouse stands proudly along the coasts of Armor. It is one of the 5 most powerful lighthouses in France, its lantern extends over 53 km! At the tip of Cap Fréhel, the visit of this coastal guardian is worth it.
To reach its summit you have to climb no less than 145 steps. From the top of the gallery, the panorama is breathtaking! Observe the bay of Saint-Malo, the bay of Saint Brieuc, the island of Bréhat, the Cotentin coast and many other treasures of Breton heritage.
Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer
This is THE peninsula to visit during your stay in Brittany : discover the charming little town of Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer. Start by visiting the ruins of Château Guildo in Créhen then take a break with your feet in the water on the fine sandy beaches at Pointe de Pépinais.
Direction the small port of the peninsula to meet the locals. Between two mackerels, the latter will advise you to reach the Pointe du Chevet to contemplate the Ebihens archipelago. These small islands will not leave you indifferent, that's all the charm of Brittany!
Ebihens Archipelago
Like an air from the end of the world, that's what you'll think as you make the crossing to theEbihens Archipelago. Accessible at low tide, put on your rubber boots to reach one of Brittany's most beautiful treasures.
In this setting worthy of the Caribbean, surrounded by heavenly beaches with the sea as far as the eye can see, the invitation to travel is there. The disconnection is total so that we must remain vigilant so as not to lose track of time. It would be a shame to get stuck on the island because of the rising tide!
Taste flavors made in Brittany
Who says visit to Brittany, necessarily means tasting its sweet and savory specialities. If there are many flavors to taste in the restaurants of Dinan, here are the great must-trys to test in Brittany to make your taste buds travel!
Breton far
This cake is typical of Brittany. Made with eggs, butter, flour, milk and sugar, this dessert is easy to prepare! It is often eaten with prunes or apples depending on the season.
Breton cake
A little less caloric than the Kouign-amann but just as delicious, to be called Breton Cake, the shortbread must contain at least 20% butter and salt please! Formerly considered a “travel cake” because it could be kept for several weeks, the specialty served as a little sweet treat for sailors leaving Brittany.
The Kouign-Amann
Notice to those who wish to pay attention to their line, the Kouign-amann will not be your best friend. 100% Breton and 100% caloric, this cake (which means soft bread with butter in Breton) is however a delight to taste absolutely during your visit to Brittany. The main ingredients? Butter and sugar!
Breton crepe and galette
We will no longer present Breton crepes and galettes, the well-known stars of Brittany. Sweet or savory, crepes and galettes are often enjoyed with a glass of cider from the region.
Fancy a typical pancake from Brittany? Ask for the salted butter one! A culinary visit to enjoy in the many Dinan creperies for example.
buttermilk
Accompany your galette with a glass of buttermilk, a kind of curdled milk typically consumed in Brittany. If at the time, the drink was mixed with bread to stick to the body, today, it is pieces of cakes that are immersed in milk.
The sausage pancake
Imagine a grilled pork sausage wrapped in a cold buckwheat galette: here is the sausage galette, typical of Brittany! More than just a specialty to taste at any time of the day, the sausage galette is a Breton institution that locals enjoy tasting in the markets!
Oysters
Impossible to visit Brittany without tasting its delicious oysters. From north to south of the region, there are no less than 12 Breton grands crus. With a good glass of white wine in hand, taste the marine treasures of our oyster farmers.
Bouchot mussels
Tasting mussels and fries while admiring the sea is one of the pleasures that can be enjoyed in Brittany during the summer season. But beware, it's not about consuming just any mussels!
Raised in northern Brittany, particularly in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Brieuc and the harbor of Brest, Bouchots mussels can be recognized by their black-bluish shell and their yellow-orange pulpit.
Next steps for visiting Brittany
After visiting the Emerald Coast, the town of Dinan and Cap Fréhel, let yourself be guided by the coastal footpath to discover all the other treasures of Brittany.
Saint-Malo and the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel
Half an hour from Dinan, find the famous Cité Corsaire: Saint-Malo. Stroll along its ancient ramparts to admire the Brittany coastline. Make a stop at the port of La Houle for a good tasting of Calanca oysters. Visit the Château de Combourg, Mont Dol or the Cathedral of Saint-Samson. Bordering the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo is a visit not to be missed during your stay in Brittany.
The coast of Goëlo
A little further on heading west towards Finistère, you will find the coast of Goëlo after Saint-Brieuc, which extends over the Côtes d'Armor. On site, Brittany has not finished spoiling you: picturesque beaches, bucolic ports and immense cliffs (the highest in Brittany), it is in this setting that time stands still. Stop off at Saint-Quay-Portrieux, the capital of the Coquille Saint-Jacques to enjoy a good seafood platter.
The Pink Granite Coast
A must in Brittany: the Côte de Granit Rose! “Aod ar vein ruz”, in Breton, which means “coast of red stones”, is a coastal area of the English Channel located in the Côtes-d'Armor. So named because of the pinkish color of the granite that composes it, know that in Brittany you will have the chance to contemplate one of the 3 pink granite coasts in the world! The others are located in Corsica and China. So what are you waiting for to visit Brittany?
