Exploring the Countryside
All the timings next to the town names are approximate, this is how long it takes us to drive to these destinations.
Josselin - 10 minutes
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Josselin is a stunning medieval town, famous for its Chateau that has overlooked the town and River Oust since the middle ages.
When you wander around the town, you will soon discover an excellent choice of restaurants, cafés and bars, with cobbled streets and quirky little gift shops. Visit the Chateau, hire boats on the river, or enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner here.
Climb to the top of the church steeple ( not for the faint hearted) and experience some fantastic views across the town and river.
Market day is Saturday in the town centre.
Lizio - 5 minutes
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| Lizio is a proud and beautiful little hamlet of approx 750 people, steeped in history, with origins dating back to the 5th Century. For refreshments there is a restaurant, creperie grill, snack bar and a great little bar Retour aux Sources, where Natalie who speaks English will give you a warm welcome. There is an Insectarium to visit here and on the way into Lizio at Ville Stéphant, there is the museum of moving parts, very interesting. The links below will show you more. |
Le Roc St Andre - 5 minutes
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| A pretty village set on the banks of the Nantes-Brest canal, where you will find a post office, garage, restaurants, tabac, hairdresser, butchers, and bakers. A little street market is on Sunday mornings. |
Malestroit - 15 minutes
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| Founded in 987 on the banks of the River Oust, the town has played an important role in the history of France. Malestroit was at one point a stopping point for pilgrims traveling to Compostelle, and in 1343 part of the 100 year war, with the signing of the treaty in the Chapel of Madeleine. During the 2nd World War the French Resistance was very active in the area. Again plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. Market day is on a Thursday. |
St Marcel - 20 minutes
Situated 2 kms west of Malestroit , it was here that a very fierce battle took place in June 1944. The Breton marquis (guerrilla Resistance fighters ) joined by Free French Forces parachuted in from England, successfully diverting the local German troops from the main Normandy invasion movements. Today, on this battle site you can visit the Musée de la Résistance Bretonne with 1500m2 of covered area displaying memorabilia. Outside there are tanks, jeeps and big guns. There is also an American half-track which takes you on a 20 minutes tour of the wooded park.
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Ploermel - 20 minutes
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Ploermel is a bustling market town with a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants, it also has a cinema and a new bowling complex. The Lac au duc, is Brittany’s biggest natural lake of 570 acres a 16km circuit. Boat hire, along with all activities can be found here. Details on our activity pages. Market day is on a Saturday. www.ploermel.com |
Rochefort en Terre - 25 minutes
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This fortress town has to be one of the most beautiful places to visit. It is certainly one of the most visited communes in Brittany, and even the drive to get here is through stunning countryside and forest. The town is without question one of the most beautiful architectural sites of Brittany. It is also famous for is Christmas lights, using over 6km of small light bulbs, which actually makes the whole town twinkle, just magical. Don’t forget to visit the chocolate shop. There is also a candle shop, restaurants, souvenirs, biscuits and other lovely shops to browse. www.rochefort-en-terre.com |
The Brocéliande Forest - 30 minutes
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If only they could talk all the beech, oak, birch, chestnut and pine trees would have many stories to tell, about wicked fairies and magic spells. The forest today is a wonderful place to spend the day and explore. It is a haven of peace, as quiet as it is secretive. Head for Paimpont and start there. Go to the tourist office and get all your free info and maps on where to go, and how to find the Valley of no return, Merlin’s grave and the Fountain of Barenton, to name a few. Explore these ancient woodlands on foot, or on a bike, or even a horse. You may not find every single magical place but you will certainly fall under the forests spell and it will stay with you forever. Go on let your imagination run wild!!!! |
Pontivy - 45 minutes
Pontivy is made up of two towns wrapped around each other. One is medieval with its streets full of twists and turns and half-timbered houses, the other a geometric Napoleonic town. The town is situated in a very rural part of Brittany known as the Blavet Valley. The River Blavet and the Nante Brest canal both run through this town. The town boasts a magnificent 15th century and a 16th Century church. Plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. Market day here is on a Monday. |
