Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Dinan, you have time to settle in to your hotel and relax before explorations. 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 at the end of the afternoon. 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.
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!
What's included
- 6 nights’ accommodation of the comfort level of your choice * CLASSIC, CLASSIC + or DELUXE
- Hotel taxes
- All breakfasts, 3 dinners (drinks not included with dinners)
- Fully equipped quality touring bike **
- Orientation with our Trip Manager
- Detailed maps and step-by-step route notes
- Regional information and advice
- Uploadable GPS file of the route to use on a free APP in your smartphone ***
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- Transfer to Pontorson train station on the final day
- Phone call support 7 days a week
* Price based on double room occupancy – please contact us for details on single room supplements
** E-bikes and Road bikes are available on request (subject to supplement)
*** Can be used without international internet plan (offline)
Hotel Details
Classic Tour
1490 € / pers.
2 Nights
Hotel Challonge – Dinan
2 Nights
Hotel le Jersey – Saint Malo
2 Nights
Hotel Gabriel – Mont Saint Michel
Classic + Tour
1720 € / pers.
2 Nights
Hotel Arvor – Dinan
2 Nights
Hotel Elisabeth – Saint Malo
2 Nights
Hotel Relais du Roy – Mont Saint Michel
Deluxe Tour
2520 € / pers.
2 Nights
Hotel le d’Avaugour – Dinan
2 Nights
Le Grand Hotel des Thermes – Saint Malo
2 Nights
Hotel le Relais Saint Michel – Mont Saint Michel
Our bikes
The high quality, light touring bike is the default bike included on the tour. It is perfectly suited to riding with lots of stops for explorations.
Upon request, and for a supplement, you can have a road bike or a pedal-assist electric bike – contact us for details.
All our touring bikes come equipped with removable handlebar bag with clear map case, flat tire kit (with extra inner tube), pump, lock, rear rack and back panniers, water bottle holder and new water bottle, bell and kickstand.
Ahead of the tour, we will ask you if you wish to use our helmets, and if you want toe cages on the pedals (both free of charge).
Each of our regions has its own bike fleet, often with a couple of different bike makes depending on sizing – if you want to know the specific bike details for your tour, just contact us, and we’ll be happy to send you the specs!
TOURING BIKE - men's frame (included in trip cost)
TOURING BIKE - women's Frame (included in trip cost)
E-bike - men's frame (supplement charge)
E-bike - women's frame (supplement charge)
Road (racing) bike (supplement charge)