If you are after a relaxing holiday, and just want to get away from it all, our gite, in its tranquil country setting, with access to our private woodland, is the ideal place to stay. There are many places to go, things to see and do, and lots of delicious food and drink to discover.
St Maden: We live in a small commune of just 200 people and we're lucky to have our own bar / bakery run by Jacky and Danielle. Jacky has reacently started baking some organic (called biologique here) boules and baguettes . We also, would you believe, have our own international art gallery. Galerie Mantovani is open from July until September from Wednesday to Saturday between 3pm and 8pm, with the viewing by appointment out of season. Luigi and Anna will welcome you into their beautifully restored presbytery home with its mature gardens which provide a beautiful backdrop to their eclectic art collection.
Dinan: Just 15 minutes away by car from the gite, Dinan is a wonderful medieval market town. As you approach over the viaduct, the citadel (the best-conserved in Brittany) with 3 km of the old town boundary wall still intact, provides an impressive welcome. The medieval centre of the town is well-preserved, with fine timbered houses and cobbled streets. You can walk round the old ramparts, enjoying fantastic views of the old town, the river and the surrounding countryside.
Rennes: Half an hour away by car, Rennes, the capital of Brittany, is a lively, cosmopolitan city and offers something quite different from the countryside that surrounds it. Rennes has a great architectural mix with pretty and elegant squares alongside perfectly preserved medieval houses.
Without a doubt, you'll eat and drink well here with plenty of good restaurants, shops and markets. Our neighbour, Michel, is the chef at La Vielle Auberge (at just 3miles away, definitely walkable) where, during weekday lunchtimes, they serve a menu ouvrier (literally: workmen's menu). For € 10, you will eat rather more like a king than a workmen: four courses with red wine included!
The "Emerald Coastline" of our bit of Brittany is extremely beautiful with rocky coves and sandy beaches around every corner. The nearest beach is just 35 minutes drive away. St. Malo is just a little further and offers miles of uninterrupted golden sand right next to the old town. Other beaches within reach are Dinard, a fantastic beach town with a real 50s style about it, St.Lunaire, St Cast le Guildo, Erquy, famous for its scallops and Cancale, for its oysters.
Mont St Michael is one of the most famous sites in North West France. You can get an excellent view of it from the mainland or you can travel across the causeway to the Mount itself and climb up through the narrow Tudor cobbled streets to the abbey at the top. There are also some magnificent chateaux in the area including those at Combourg, Fougères and the local Chateau de Hac
Brittany is famous for its distinctive Breton culture, not least its music; Gabrielle plays her violin with two local groups, a traditional Breton dance troupe (see photo) and one that sings bawdy sea shanties! Every month at a small bar outside of Dinan, L'Ancienne Forge at Trelat, musicians and some traditional dancers gather for an informal music session playing Irish tunes.