You can do as much or as little as you want. Some guests like to laze around in the gardens, taking lunch here and having a glass of wine or two. Others like to go through the entire tourism office catalogue of attractions. To help you find your happy medium, here are just a few things you can do in the area . . .There is a folder in each property packed with information.
DINAN is one of the finest of all Brittany’s towns and contains much of architectural interest. There are many half-timbered houses and Romanesque and Gothic churches. It also has an impressive castle, which overlooks the River Rance. You can walk down the steep and cobbled Rue du Jerzual to the port of Dinan. There you will discover an ideal place to eat al fresco as there are riverside cafes and restaurants to suit all pockets.
The most attractive part of Dinan is arguably its port, which is where you’ll arrive if you take a boat from Dinard or St Malo. The quay is lined with old stone houses, many of which are now waterside restaurants and chandlers’ shops. Take a walk along the old towpath or cross the 15th-century stone bridge to Lanvallay to find out about life on the river in the Maison de la Rance discovery centre. Wherever you are, you won’t miss the 131ft (40m)-high viaduct.
For more details see www.dinan-tourisme.com
MONT ST MICHEL is a small island about 45 minutes’ drive away, just across the department border in Normandy, and is an absolute must to visit. There you will find its celebrated Benedictine abbey. The monastic buildings date from the 13th century and are considered to be outstanding examples of Gothic architecture.
For more details see www.ot-montsaintmichel.com
DINARD is known as the city garden by the sea. It has a superb seaside location with magnificent beaches. You can visit the beautiful gardens where the plants and flowers are from the Mediterranean. Dinard is not the only lovely beach — the coast line is littered with them.
For more details see www.brittanytourism.com
COBAC PARC is a day out for the whole family but the kids will especially enjoy it. There is so much to do, from swimming to mini golf. The park has a boating lake, bouncy inflatables and large water slides. If this all sounds too much you could just relax or sunbathe in the fabulous grounds.
For more details see www.cobac-parc.com
CHATEAU/ZOO are set in a beautiful wooded area with wonderful gardens, where you can walk around and picnic there. There are daily guided tours around the Chateau. The zoo contains exotic and rare animals from all over the world, and there are live birds of prey shows every day.
For more details see www.labourbansais.com
GOLF Dinard Golf Club is located in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, and was founded by a small colony of British residents living in Dinard at the end of the 19th century. Dinard Golf Club is set in a sensitive natural environment that is home to a number of rare animal and plant species. It has therefore been subject to a range of special protection measures, all of which are compatible with the game of golf.
For more details see. www.dinardgolf.com
For other golf courses throughout Brittany visit: www.golf.brittanytourism.com
Les Fougeres, La Coupaudais, 22100 St Helen Brittany France
Contact us via email: mail@lesfougeres.co.uk