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  • BE: +32 (0) 2 588 76 91
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Northern Brittany

4-day bike trip in Brittany, from the canal to the sea

From Rennes to Saint-Malo, cycle along the Ille-et-Rance canal to the sea and discover the charming cities of Dinard and Dinan before enjoying a day trip along the Emerald Coast to Cancale.

Reviews (3) :
5.00 / 5
Reference B0401
  • Itinerant trip
  • 5 days
  • Moderate
  • From april to november
  • Minimum age 12 years old
GPSGPS-app available
From
Prices
459€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • This 4-day cycling tour, between land and sea, takes you to discover some of the jewels of northern Brittany.

    Departing from Rennes, you ride along the Ille-et-Rance canal on old towpaths now rehabilitated as greenways, ideal for bike rides. You continue to the sea, passing through the charming city of Dinan, medieval villages and small cities of character, before reaching the coast in Dinard. From there, a boat crossing (included) takes you to the famous town of Saint-Malo. Do not miss its pedestrian streets, corsair houses, ramparts and sailing boats moored in the port!

    Your trip doesn’t end there! After a night in Saint-Malo, you set off towards the magnificent Emerald Coast and cycle through the green countryside before arriving in Cancale where you can admire the port and taste delicious oysters. You then return to Saint-Malo along the coast this time, and stop for a swim in one of the pretty coves!

     
     

    Rennes

    Rennes is the young and vibrant capital city of Brittany. Take a walk along the Ille and Vilane Rivers to get an overview of the city. Most of the town was destroyed by fire in 1720, but original sections still remain. The town center is vibrant with higgledy-piggledy half-timbered houses in various colors. Enjoy a delicious crepe, a speciality of the area.

    Day 1
     
     

    Rennes - Hédé

    Bike
    45km
    Cycle path along towpath
    Start your ride next to the scenic Ille et Rance canal and you’ll soon reach the ancient towpath. Follow this route and you’ll see many canals houses lovingly decorated with flowers. The canal is now popular cruising way for pleasure boats. It’s always interesting to watch how boats are raised or lowered in the many locks along the canal. Keep riding until you reach Hédé and its eleven locks.

    Day 2
     
     

    Hédé - Dinan

    Bike
    38km
    Cycle path along towpath
    Continue along the canal and towpath. Take time to explore the medieval town of Lehon with its splendid Royal Abbey.

    In Dinan, don’t miss taking a look at the 43 meter high "Tour de l’Horloge" which consists of both a dungeon and a bell tower.

    Day 3
     
     

    Dinan - Saint-Malo

    Bike
    25km
    This morning your route leaves the towpath as you ride further into the scenic countryside through forests and well-tented gardens. The trail is quite flat since the path was a former railroad line. As you arrive in the city of Dinard, have a look at the beautiful mansions overlooking the ocean.

    From Dinard, take the ferry to Saint-Malo, the old city of privateers! Ferry crossing between Dinard and Saint-Malo is included.
       

    Ferry crossing between Dinard and Saint-Malo 0h

    		Included

    Day 4
     
     

    Suggested day trip : Cancale

    Bike
    42km
    Ride through the verdant countryside small routes to the Emerald Coast, where you will enjoy an amazing view onto the harbor of Cancale. You may even see the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

    Bike down to the harbor and order some of the famous local oysters. You ride back then to Saint-Malo on the coastline road, along which you can take a few breaks on the small beaches scattered between "La Pointe du Grouin" and the city of pirateers.
  • Accommodation

    • Category A

    You’ll enjoy staying in these clean and cozy 2-Star hotels that give you a pleasant rest after your day of biking. Breakfast is included when you spend the night in these friendly and family-run hotels.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    You’ll get a good night’s sleep when you stay in these 2 or 3 Star hotels or Bed and Breakfasts. All properties have been selected for their cleanliness, style and friendliness of the staff. A hearty breakfast is included!
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    Luggage


    For this trip, bikes are equipped with 2 waterproof saddle bags with a capacity of 10 to 20L each to transport your luggage. Do not forget to put your items in a soft travel bag to be able that you can roll it up in your saddle bags.

    For more comfort, you can choose to add luggage transport in your booking:
    (see rate in "Prices")

    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.(included in your bike rental).
    • We advise to take an extra set of clothes with you if you expect to arrive before 5p.m. at your accommodation.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests.

    Our documentation contains a very detailed description of the itinerary. No matter how you usually navigate, you will find your way thanks to our comprehensive guidance material including:
    • a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
    • a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

    Example of a map and of a step-by-step description


    For this short trip your travel documents will be sent electronically.


    Our GPS App

    For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee).

    You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way.

    -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo Voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details concerning the downloading and the use of the application will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.
  • Practical information
    • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to Rennes.
    • By train: TGV (fast trains) from Paris Montparnasse. The duration of the trip is about 2h20. To plan your trip, www.raileurope.com.


    Parking

    If you drive to Rennes, you can park your car in a secured car park located in the city center. The weekly rate is about €25. All details will be given in your travel documents.

    To get back to starting point:

    Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free (if you come with your own bike). You have to buy your ticket on spot (approximative duration: 1h, full rate 9€/adult). There are several trains per day. You will find the timetable in your travel documents.

    You can also depart directly in TGV from Saint-Malo.

    If you chose the luggage transport, you will be able to pick up your luggage after 5pm at the pick up location.

    Meeting time:

    You pick up your bikes in the morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm at a meeting time set together during booking. We recommend you to arrive around 10am to enjoy your day fully without rushing.

    Bikes pick up point and luggage drop off point will be given in your travel documents.

    .
  • Reviews

    •   Memory of the trip  

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    3 bike travelers reviews 5.00 / 5

    “ Loved it ”

    On the 2024-05-14 by Rainer
    well organized - good selection of hotels in interesting towns along the way

    “ Brittany - from canal to sea ”

    On the 2023-09-28 by Jo
    We really enjoyed this trip and I would highly recommend it. The cycling was easy and interesting. The towns and villages we went through were stunning (very old) and there were lots of interesting places to explore along the way. The organisation of the trip was great and good information provided prior to leaving New Zealand. We had route information and maps printed out which was very helpful. The route was easy to follow.

    “ Beau séjour en Bretagne ”

    On the 2021-08-13 by Paola
    Belle expérience, quoi que sous la pluie bretonne. Etant complètement débutante en vélo, j'ai pu faire les différentes étapes sans problème.
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