The Corsaire Route

Located at the mouth of the Rance River, Saint Malo has long been a coveted location. 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 history of the city: Jacques Cartier, Surcouf, Chateaubriand, Maupertuis… and more recently Anthony Doerr with his best-selling novel ‘All the Light We Cannot See’.
The hotels that will welcome you are facing the sea and 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: 57 km (35,4 miles)

Today’s stage is a journey through deep, rural Brittany.
Far from the tourist trails, head west where quiet little 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!
Finally, you will reach the Rance Valley, which will take you to the fortified town of Dinan.
This remarkable city 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 (a type of sausage sandwich) and salted butter caramel.

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

If you didn’t have time to visit Saint Malo when you arrived, we suggest a short stopover so you can spend a little time there.
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.