Cycle the Rance River Valley bike paths, the port and beaches of Dinard and St Malo, the oyster farms of Cancale, and the exquisite site of the Mont St Michel...
2022 per person price
| CLASSIC TOUR | 1390 € |
| CLASSIC + TOUR | 1520 € |
| DELUXE | 2130 € |
* Price based on double room occupancy - please contact us for details on single room supplements
| CLASSIC PACKAGE | |
| 2 Nights Hotel Challonge in Dinan | www.hotel-dinan.fr |
| 2 Nights Hotel le Jersey in Saint Malo | www.antineahotel.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel Gabriel by Mont Saint Michel | www.hotelgabriel-montsaintmichel.com |
| CLASSIC+ PACKAGE | |
| 2 Nights Hotel Arvor in Dinan | www.hotelarvordinan.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel Elisabeth in Saint Malo | www.saintmalo-hotel-elizabeth.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel Relais du Roy by Mont Saint Michel | www.le-relais-du-roy.com |
| DELUXE PACKAGE | |
| 2 Nights Hotel Avaugour in Dinan | www.avaugourhotel.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel Chateau du Colombier in Saint Malo | www.saintmalo-hotelcolombier.com |
| 2 Nights Hotel le Relais Saint Michel by Mont Saint Michel | www.relais-st-michel.fr |
Upon your arrival in Rennes, we’ll pick you up to transfer you directly to your first hotel in Dinan. This lovely medieval town, with its spectacular setting, perched over the Rance River, is worth some exploration. Wander through the twisting streets, admiring the many old buildings, some of which date from the 13th century, and the large sections of medieval walls which remain. Be sure to see the Jacobins Theatre, built in the year 1224, as well as the Gothic Flamboyant St Malo’s Church, the Romanesque Saint Saviour’s Basilica, and the Chateau of Dinan. Our Trip Manager will spend a little bit of time with you to go over your trip package and check the bike fitting, and then leave you to your explorations. Dinner is included this evening.
Your ride today takes you along the lush valley of the Rance River, from village to village. Along the way you’ll see the medieval village of Lehon, dating from the Gallo-Roman Empire, and home to the ruins of a 12th century castle, as well as the historic Abbey Sainte Magloire. The abbey was founded in the year 850, after the Breton King met 6 monks while out on a hunting expedition, and, swayed by their convictions, promised to help construct an abbey, as long as they accomplished the feat of recuperating the relics of a Breton Saint. As you’ll see by the magnificent buildings, they were successful! Return to Dinan for a second evening.
Say goodbye to Dinan this morning, and head towards the renowned and beautiful Emerald Coast of Brittany. The route brings you back towards the Rance River at its mouth, to Dinard. Dinard was first settled by Saint-Malo's shipping merchants who built some of the town's magnificent houses, a few of which survive. In the late 19th century American and British aristocrats made Dinard popular as a fashionable summer resort, and they built stunning villas on the cliff tops and exclusive hotels on the seafront during the French "Belle Époque". After explorations there, take the local taxi-boat across the mouth of the Rance River to the walled port city of St Malo, renowned for its pirate history, and your destination for the night. Another delicious dinner awaits you this evening. (please note the DELUXE itinerary chateau-hotel is just outside of St. Malo)
A great loop ride awaits you today, taking you along the Emerald Coast to the picturesque fishing port of Cancale. Many of Cancale’s visitors are drawn by its reputation as the "oyster capital" of Brittany. History has it that Louis XIV had his oysters brought to Versailles from Cancale. Centuries later, the farming of oysters is still a major activity in the port and there are oyster beds covering about 7.3 square kilometres easily seen from the pier at the harbour. These beds harvest about 25,000 tons of oysters each year. Though a small town, it is well served by a large number of restaurants, many specialising in seafood. When not eating one can sit and watch the bustle of this busy little town with many stalls selling crustaceans of all types. There is a pleasant coastal path which permits a circular walk from the town to the Pointe du Grouin with views across the bay towards Mont Saint-Michel. After your explorations, your ride brings you inland, back to St Malo for a second night.
Your longest ride (but quite flat terrain) is parallel to the coast for much of the day, bringing you at the end to spectacular Mont St Michel. This island-village has since the eighth century AD been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. Its unique position (an island only 600 metres from land) made it readily accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey. This position made it readily defensible as an incoming tide stranded, or drowned, would-be assailants. By capitalizing on this natural defense, the Mont remained unconquered during the Hundred Years' War. The reverse benefits of this characteristic were not lost on Louis XI, who turned the Mont into a prison. Today, Mont St Michel and its bay are one of France's most recognizable landmarks, and are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
A final loop ride today, taking you inland, for a short excursion into the villages with great views of Mont St Michel. You climb away from the coast, and your efforts are rewarded by pretty villages, luscious countryside, and spectacular panoramas of the abbey island village. The longer option takes you to the charming village of Ducey, where you can do a small walking tour or visit the Chateau there, before returning towards the Mont on a great bike path. The shorter loop allows you ample time to enjoy Mont St Michel itself, or perhaps to join a tidal walk with one of the guides from the tourist office.Both take you by a magnificently restored windmill and an unusual German ossuary from WWII. Either way you'll have time to relax before your final evening, with a delicious dinner to celebrate your week’s explorations.
After a final breakfast, we transfer you to the train station of nearby Pontorson for your further travels. Say goodbye to Brittany, with its mediaeval towns, Emerald Coast, and the Mont Saint Michel!
