The walled Towns

Located at the mouth of the Rance River, the city of Saint Malo has long been coveted. From the 16th century onwards, the port experienced incredible growth with offshore fishing and the discovery of Canada. Certain names will forever be linked to the city’s history, such as Jacques Cartier, Surcouf, Chateaubriand, Maupertuis… and more recently Anthony Doerr with his best-selling novel ‘All the Light We Cannot See’.
The hotels we use are located on the Sillon seafront, a 15-minute walk from the fortified city.

Distance to cover: 38 or 52 km (23,6 or 32,3 miles)

If you didn’t get a chance to explore the city walls the day before, spend two or three hours doing so before you set off.
From Le Sillon, follow the coastal road between Saint-Malo and Pointe du Grouin. This route offers superb views of the Chausey Islands and the open sea. Between the Emerald Coast and Mont Saint Michel Bay, it’s not uncommon to spot dolphins! Take a break in Cancale and enjoy the local speciality: open sea oysters!
You then leave the bay via small country roads before reaching Dol de Bretagne and its magnificent cathedral.
Our hotel is located in the centre of the pretty town of Dol.

Distance to cover: 45 or 57 km (27,9 or 35,4 miles)

We recommend taking some time to stroll around old Dol and visit the cathedral before setting off. Then head for the bay at Cherrueix via Mont Dol. Continue eastwards through the polders: artificial stretches of land reclaimed from the sea. You will witness a rather unique sight!
You will then arrive at Mont Saint Michel. Allow at least 3 hours to visit the Mont: the ramparts, the Abbey and the village.
To get to Pontorson – ‘the real town’ of Mont-Saint-Michel – follow the Couesnon, the natural border between Normandy and Brittany.

Distance to cover: 49 km (30,4 miles)

You cycle south, passing the former Montmorel Abbey to arrive at Saint-James, the world capital of the sailor sweater. On the outskirts of the town is the American military cemetery, which contains the remains of 4,410 soldiers. Most of them were killed during the liberation of Brittany, during the Avranches breakthrough and the fierce fighting around Saint-Lô and Mortain in 1944.
Leaving Saint-James, you leave Normandy and return to Brittany. You will pass a few dolmens on your way to Fougères.
Fougères owes its origins to its imposing castle, built over a thousand years ago on a rocky spur surrounded by the waters of the River Nançon, which served as a natural moat. Over the course of history, the fortress has been surrounded by a belt of ramparts and towers.

Your hotel is ideally located within the town walls.

Distance to cover: 54 km (33,5 miles)

Far from the tourist trails, head west where quiet country roads will take you past isolated farms, small granite manor houses and beautiful deciduous woods. The terrain is varied and the villages are truly authentic!
The stage ends in Combourg. At the end of the 18th century, François René de Châteaubriand found inspiration in this historic setting, nestled in lush greenery. Follow in the footsteps of the poet and novelist and soak up the bucolic atmosphere of the tranquil lake dominated by the imposing castle. Your hotel is ideally located between the lake and the castle.

Distance to cover: 34 km (21,1 miles)

Continue your journey through rural Brittany. You will reach the Rance Valley at Evran and follow the river to the fortified town of Dinan. This remarkable town is certainly the best example of ‘Breton architecture’ with countless granite buildings topped with half-timbered facades. Your hotel is located in a former 16th-century convent!
Dinner is not included, but we will recommend the best places to eat! Local specialities include galette-saucisse (sausage and potato pancake) and salted butter caramel!

Distance to cover: 34 km (21,1 miles)

This stage is short enough to allow you to visit the town of Saint Malo on foot.

By bike, from the port of Dinan, you follow the left bank of the Rance before crossing it north of Plouër. Cycling as close as possible to the river to Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets, the landscape is absolutely remarkable; it is a real inland sea where sailing boats rub shoulders with artichoke fields and farming villages turn into ports. Now it’s time to consider returning to Saint Malo and the beautiful beaches of the Sillon!

End of stay in Saint Malo after breakfast or additional night to enjoy the city.