Ille-et-Vilaine

Rennes: Brittany’s vibrant capital – cobbled streets, lively terraces, Odorico mosaics and urban frescoes, festivals, exhibitions and producers’ market… A bustling city all year round.

Saint-Malo: ramparts facing the open sea, beaches and port down below… historical, coastal and resolutely maritime, the “Corsair City” cultivates the scent of adventure in all seasons.

Vitré: at the gateway to Brittany, its medieval castle watches over a maze of alleyways and perfectly restored half-timbered houses… a life-size setting between Middle Ages and 17th century, where memories of the Marquise de Sévigné linger.

Fougères: an imposing granite monument, Europe’s biggest fortress keeps watch over the town’s cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. A thousand years of history are revealed in its ramparts and flower gardens, in an atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and take it easy.

Paimpont and Brocéliande forest: in the depths of a legendary forest between moorlands and lakes, where tales of King Arthur, Merlin and the fairy Vivian still resonate, the village unveils its abbey, former forges and brownstone houses… here, every path has a story to tell.

Saint-Suliac: nestling on the banks of the Rance, this fishermen’s village, labelled as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France [Most beautiful Villages in France], shows off its flower-filled streets, granite houses and views that change to the rhythm of the tides… an enchanting stopover between Dinan and Saint-Malo.

Magpie Island: at the confluence of the Oust and the Nantes- Brest Canal, cliffs and wild islets create an astonishing setting…a natural playground ideal for hiking, climbing and outings on the water.

Saint-Just: in the heart of the Cojoux Moors, one of Brittany’s biggest megalithic sites features dolmens and menhirs… an immersion in prehistory taking in wild moorlands and the mystery of standing stones.

The Couesnon Valley: between Fougères and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, the river winds its way through grasslands and hedged farmland… a riverside getaway ideal for invigorating walks, open-air activities and nature breaks.

Trémelin Lake: on the edge of Brocéliande forest, this water mirror surrounded by moorlands and forests invites visitors to indulge in lakeside strolls and watersports.

Essé – La Roche-aux-Fées: Interested in megalithic monuments?  Then stop off at La Roche-aux-Fées [The Fairies’ Rock]. Unquestionably the biggest dolmen in France, it’s also a site steeped in legend, where the fairy Vivian has left her mark.

Hédé-Bazouges: the Ille-et-Rance Canal’s eleven interconnecting locks set the pace for your cycling or walking tours…

Écluse Beach in Dinard: blue and white-striped beach huts, large saltwater swimming pool and ever-lively atmosphere… with shops, casino and terraces facing the open sea close by.

Bon Secours Beach in Saint-Malo: facing Grand Bé Island and Petit Bé Fort, this emblematic beach invites visitors to take a dip between tides… with its saltwater swimming pool and diving board at the ready.

Anse du Guesclin Beach in Saint-Coulomb: overlooked by the fort on its islet (Léo Ferré’s former home), this lifeguarded beach provides visitors with unspoilt surroundings…

Grande Salinette Beach in Saint-Briac: at the foot of Château du Nessay, beach huts and fine sand create a typical setting facing the bay… a family beach brought to life in the summer by its beach club and sailing school.

Grève Beach in Hirel: a seemingly endless stretch of sand in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, it’s ideal for hiking, shore fishing and trying your hand at sand yachting…

Dinard: Belle Époque villas, Clair de Lune Promenade and views over the Rance… elegant and lively, the resort cultivates its appeal through its art galleries, casino and British Film Festival.

Saint-Briac: a picturesque fishermen’s village that has become a peaceful seaside resort, it boasts fine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and panoramic views of the Emerald Coast… a setting between land and sea that has inspired no few painters…

Saint-Lunaire: a former fishing port that has become a family seaside resort, it combines wide beaches, red and white beach huts and holiday ambience facing the open sea… along with Longchamps Beach, a spot popular with watersports enthusiasts.

Cancale: Mont-Saint-Michel Bay’s emblematic fishing port, famous for its oysters and shellfish, to enjoy facing the sea. Between oyster farms, bustling quays and the horizon, Mont-Saint-Michel’s imposing outline rounds off the show.

Combourg: a Petite Cité de Caractère® [Small Town of Character] with close ties to François-René de Chateaubriand, a prominent figure in French Romanticism, its castle overlooks Lake Tranquille… a lush green setting that nourished the writer’s imagination.

Dol de Bretagne: a former episcopal city and listed Petite Cité de Caractère®, its Saint-Samson Cathedral is a jewel of gothic architecture and its medieval houses are equally impressive… with a magnificent view of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay to be had from Mont-Dol.

Bécherel: A Petite Cité de Caractère® replete with medieval alleyways, its bookshops, secondhand booksellers and annual fair bear witness to its love of books… a village where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the wall walk or in Château de Caradeuc’s grounds.

La Guerche-de-Bretagne: A Petite Cité de Caractère® that developed on the edge of Pays de la Loire in the Middle Ages, with its half-timbered houses and basilica, the town comes to vibrant life to the rhythm of a market that has crossed the centuries!

Saint-Aubin du Cormier: perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Couesnon Valley, this Petite Cité de Caractère® combines medieval ruins, garden of medieval inspiration and streets steeped in history… to experience before you make your way to the Wood of Rumignon’s forested ridges.

Bazouges-La-Pérouse: an artists’ and poets’ village, it has turned its streets into open-air galleries… what with its studios, outdoor artworks and houses of character overlooking the hedged farmlands, inspiration is on tap everywhere.

Châteaugiron: This Petite Cité de Caractère® close to Rennes is known for its high medieval towers and colourful half-timbered merchants’ houses… a historic centre with more than its fair share of appeal and charm.

Montfort-sur-Meu: between Rennes and Brocéliande, this Petite Cité de Caractère® lies at the confluence of the Meu and Garun Rivers… medieval tower, half-timbered houses and red shale dwellings create a setting steeped in history.

Make your way from Cap Fréhel to Mont-Saint-Michel Bay: a 6-stage itinerary including rocky capes, wild beaches and unobstructed panoramic views.

Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast are great whatever the time of year… but here’s a little secret between ourselves: off-season is often the most beautiful period to discover them! In spring and autumn, you can stroll along the ramparts with nobody else in sight, the coastal trails reveal their magnificent panoramic views with no crowds to get in your way, and the light on the sea is quite simply magical. And winter? The air is invigorating, the high tides put on a captivating show… and the coast takes on a spectacular, almost secretive charm.

Need to plot your next getaway and identify the spots not to be missed out on? You’ll find downloadable tourist maps and guides on Ille-et-Vilaine’s official website.