Cycling in the Brittany & Jersey region of France

Arrive during the day to Mont-Dol a short distance from the large town Dol-de-Bretagne.  It is a pretty village where you shall stay in a lovely Chateaux Bed and Breakfast. The village is slightly raised on a granite outcrop in what is overwise a flat area on the Breton coast. If you arrive in time or in the evening you can take nice walks to the top of the Mont-Dol, from where, in clear weather, you have a wonderful view of the polders and the hilly landscape around you.

Today you have a nice circular cycle tour to the famous Mont-Saint-Michel. Set out a short distance for the coastline the mesmerising sight of the rocky outcrop with its medieval abbey and buildings dating back to the 8^th century. You shall follow a pretty route through the undulating countryside via Dol-de-Bretagne and the small town of Pontorson before joining the cycleway to the Le Mont-Saint-Michel. You shall soon realise why this impressive abbey on a rock protruding from the sea has become an age-old pilgrimage site. The ‘Mont’ is very touristic but certainly worth a visit. After your visit, you cycle back to your accommodation via the Digue de la Duchesse Anne which is a dyke built between the marshes of the Dol and the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. Finally, the route takes you inland back to your accommodation.

Today you have a wonderful cycle tour along the bay of Saint-Michel with many wonderful coastal views. You will cycle passing through the lively fishing village of Cancale, known for its oysters. The many oyster banks can be seen in the bay and can be visited at low tide.  Here you shall find many seafood restaurants. Just after a nice golden beach, you cycle along the coast on a quiet path to the lively port town of Saint-Malo.

Today you have two options, take a day trip to Jersey (subject to available ferries) or spend the day in St Malo to explore. Why not explore the imposing walled fortress, the harbour, the pleasant shopping streets and the beaches which will make sure you don’t have a dull moment. You have also got the chance, early in the morning, to take the ferry to the British island of Jersey (about 1.15 h). Once on the island of Jersey, you can make a wonderful cycle tour (if an available ferry accepts cycles) on the extensive cycle network or explore on foot St Helier. At the end of the afternoon or the beginning of the evening, you return to Saint-Malo overnight.

A small ferry boat takes you from Saint-Malo across the river mouth to the fashionable town of Dinard. Now you cycle south on a cycle path on an almost straight line as you follow a former railway line taking you through villages in the country. After this ‘Voie Verte’ quiet cycle paths take you through green flowering hills of the Breton countryside to Taden castle. Now you follow the river Rance which takes you to the picturesque Port of Dinan. The town is elevated and has a wonderful historic centre.  Dinan has some wonderful medieval ramparts, many cobblestone streets with half-timbered houses. The Dinan Castle has a 14th-century keep and a 15th-century artillery tower. Also, the grand, Gothic-style Saint-Malo Church has vibrant stained-glass windows which is a worthwhile visit.

The town of Dinan offers a lot of opportunities to spend a day there apart from historic attractions. There are many galleries, shops, restaurants and terraces. If you feel energetic you can also go for a cycle ride through the green Breton hills, south of Dinan. On the way, you sometimes imagine yourself to be in South English Cornwall. You shall see the black grey granite farmhouses, in summer usually surrounded by splendidly blue hydrangeas which are so typical of this region. A great part of the route you follow the towpath along the Canal d’Ille and Rance, a lovely and quiet cycle path.

Firstly today you start along the Rance again until at a Dam built to protect against different tide levels you leave and the valley and continue on your way across undulating farmland. You head back through the once-prosperous city of Dol-de-Bretagne. Here you can admire the impressive Menhir du Champ-Dolent. Also visit the beautiful St. Samson Cathedral, dedicated to one of the seven Breton saints and walk the Grand Rue des Stuarts along with magnificent old houses from the 12th and 13th cent. Now it is not far to Mont-Dol where your trip ends.

Depart after breakfast.