Places to Visit and Things to do

There is a folder with lots of leaflets in the house, showing what to do and where to go. Please feel free to browse and take with you. It would be appreciated if you are going out, to replace with fresh leaflets if possible.

 As a general guide, here are a few pointers.

St Michel De Plelan - The village itself is pretty, but quiet. The tabac/cafe recently closed. There is however for golf lovers, a lovely challenging 9 hole course only a few hundred metres from the property. A days fee, which gives you unlimited access, is just 27 euros. Golf clubs can be hired at very little cost.

Plelan Le Petit – The nearest village with amenities. It has an Ecomarche supermarket, very good boulangerie, cafes and lovely restaurant, called La Hermine Blanche, on the old road to Dinan. The Cotes D'Armor restaurant behind the church is also worth a visit. You can get on the N176  to Dinan just beyond the village. Riding school Fosse has some excellent well-schooled horses and a very good and pleasant teacher ( Dominique Joffe).

 St Meloir de Blois – a very small but extremely pretty village, 2 km to the west of the house. Worth a visit to spend an hour, looking at the church, Roman ruins and to visit the restaurant which serves crepes, galettes etc. There is a small boulangerie which serves fresh bread and local produce.

 Courseul – another attractive village 5 minutes drive to the east, which connects to the Plancoet/Dinan main road. Some splendid Roman ruins here and supposedly a fantastic boulangerie.

Jugon Les Lacs – One of our favourite villages, about 12 minute drive to the south west. It has a delightful centre with some attractive restaurants. There is a market on Friday mornings, although small, but has an intimate French feel. There is a large lake to the rear of the village where you can hire sailing boats, canoes etc or use the heated outdoor swimming pool. The La Fontaine hotel on the left when you drive into Jugon is worth an evening out, with excellent French food.

Plancoet – An attractive small town to the north, where you can buy most things, including bottled water, which it is famous for. There are numerous shops in the centre, but most people may wish to visit the town for the Super U, which sells most things. It is wise however to try all the local shops, for some French surprises. Market day is Saturday. It has some good small restaurants, which are worth visiting. The Chateaubriand, serving mainly Pizzas at the bottom of the hill, is one of our favourites. The Relais de Poste, just to the right of the main roundabout, has a pleasant historic ambience and is good for inexpensive local meals. Canoeing/kayaking (available for hire), along the river is great fun.

Dinan – Probably the first port of call for any visitors to Les Hottieux. This historic walled town with cobbled streets and half timbered houses, is a real gem. It is located just 15 minutes to the south east.  The Castle and Clock Tower are both worth visiting. Call into the tourist information centre for details of all the sites worth visiting.  Park in the central car park, if you can, and the TIC can be found just further along on the right. The narrow twisting alleyways down to the port area are worth a walk, as when you get there, it is delightful, and worthy of a relaxing aperitif before walking up the hill again. The shops are superb, if you like retail therapy, and there are numerous restaurants in the evening, which offer any variety of types of food. You can hire boats from the port area, and a good day out is to take a picnic and head south under the viaduct. Boat trips also take you to St Malo and Dinard.

There is a LeClerc supermarket at Quevert on the way into Dinan.

Dinard – Classy resort developed by the British in the second half of the nineteenth century. Large casino and some chic shops and restaurants. Good beach nearby at St Lunaire or St Briac.

St Malo – Attractive ancient walled town, that is far more than just a ferry port and is well  worth a visit. Many good restaurants just inside the town walls, most celebrated of which is the “Duchesse Anne”. The Grand Aquarium on the southern outskirts of St Malo and well marked, is superb. Can get very busy, so a wet day in August is not recommended.

St Jacut De La Mer – the nearest beach of note, just 20 minutes to the north. This small peninsula boasts 9 beaches, but the one at the end is our favourite. Walk across to Ebihens Island at low tide, but don’t get caught!

St Cast Le Guido – One of our favourite beaches in the main part of St Cast and also at Pen Guen just before the town. These 2 sandy beaches are superb and very safe for children. St Cast is just over 25 minutes from the house, to the north of Plancoet.

  Fort Latte

 Erquy – For excellent beach – popular with skinny dippers! – follow signs to Le cap at the north end of the town. Park at the end of the road and walk over the cliff tops for about ten minutes along the coastal path. You will see the beach below you. Beware of very rapid tides. 40 minutes driving time. Cape Frehel

Sable D’or Les Pins – The other side of the peninsula from Erquy. Good sandy beaches.

Rennes – The main city of Brittany, is an hours drive to the south. This university city, is quite classy. In the centre is the splendid Cathedral with the old quarter around it, and an interesting place to visit. The Jardin du Thabor is also worth a visit – a large formal French garden with aviary, play area for children and more.

Cancale – A must for sea-food lovers. Situated to the east of St Malo, Cancale is the centre of oyster cultivation. See them being harvested at low tide, buy them from numerous market stalls and visit the oyster museum on the scenic approach road. Dozens of restaurants along the sea front specialising in ( believe it or not) sea food!

Mont St Michel – This famous landmark, is stunning from a distance, and can be seen for miles around. Will take about 45 minutes to drive there. It can get crowded and has plenty of souvenir shops. However it is worth fighting your way through and getting to the church on top.