Attractions

In addition, at the cottage we keep an up to date box full of leaflets and guides on local guides and information. The cottage has a small selection of books, a little different from the usual guidebooks, to give you more attractions and walks to experience - Frommer's Brittany with your family, 30 Great Days Out in Brittany, Judy Smith's Walking Brittany, Central Brittany - Coast to Coast, Cotes d'Armor by Philip Plisson.

Below is a taster of the attractions which await your stay in the Cotes d'Armor, Brittany.
 

Festivals

• Fete des Remparts, Dinan - the third weekend in July every two years, the town hosts one of Europe's largest medieval festivals. 5000 people dressed in medieval clothes take to the flag decked streets. The festival includes tournaments, market, battles , dancing and jousting (Fete des remparts)

Beaches and Coastline

• The area boasts many beautiful clean sandy beaches which are easily reached from the cottage by car. The nearest is the stretch from St Jacut-de-la-Mer to St Cast-le-Guildo, a 25 to 30 minute drive from the cottage. Both these beache have clean golden sands.
• The coastline is beautiful with its pink limestone cliffs. The coastal path between Perros Guirec and Plouman'ch is exhilarating and beautiful and on a windy day certainly blows the cob-webs away whilst admiring the strength of the sea which has produced such spectacular pink rock formations.

Nature reserves

• Ile de Brehat Access to the island is by ferry from the Pointe de L'Arcouest, 6km from Paimpol lighthouse Phare du Panon offers a wonderful view. Cars are not allowed onto the island, bikes may be hired near the main port.
   

Physical activities

• The region naturally lends itself to a range of physical activities in the countryside and along the coastline
• The area is great for walking and we keep a selection of books on walks in Brittany including Judy Smith's Walking Brittany and Penny Allen's Central Brittany Coast to Coast.
• Jugon-Les-Lacs,a medieval town 10 minutes south of the cottage is a great haven for water sports including sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and pedal boats. In addition bicycles can be hired and supervised bike rides are also organised. Please see the town's web-site for further details (Jugon Les Lacs)

Castles, forts & the famous Mont St Michel

• Brittany boasts 4,000 chateaux, manor houses and stately homes
• Castles -  There are many castles in the region including Dinan, Hunaudaye (close to the cottage), Combourg, Fougeres. The following web site provides a good summary of the major castles in Brittany together with photos (French castles)
• Fort la Latte - impressive looking 13th century fortress overlooking the sea near Cap Frehel, on a clear day from the top of the fort you can get impressive view of the Brittany coast.
• Mont St Michel - a beautiful place to visit which looks awesome every time you return. A trip to the monastery is recommended but beware if you want to go to the monastery at the top there are many steps to climb so we advise that baby buggies are left in the car. Great views and the monastery is very peaceful and relaxing even with tourists. (Mont Saint Michel)

Activities for children

• Grand Aquarium - modern aquarium with over 500 species of marine life, the aquarium is situated in the outskirts of St Malo (Aquarium St Malo)
• Cobac park  amusement park includes water park, karting, quad bikes, boats (Cobac park)
• La Bourbansais Zoo , castle and children's play area (Zoo bourbansais)
• La Vapeur du Trieux - steam engine ride from Paimpol through the valley to Pontrieux valley(Vapeur du Trieux)

Food & drink

• Brittany is best known for its fish and shellfish. However, the region also has an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, pork and poultry.  Breton cuisine is renowned for its locally caught fish including monkfish (lotte), sea bass (bar), sole, sea bream
• There is a wide range of good quality restaurants to suit all pockets. You do not have to go far to find good places to eat.
• Don't forget to a local French market. Most towns in Brittany hold a weekly market. For details of market days - French market days.
• Our welcome pack includes suggestions on where to go to eat at restaurants, supermarkets and markets