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Brittany Destination Guide - Ille et VillaineView rental properties in Ille et VillaineNot quite French, not quite Breton. Ille-et-Vilaine is still, however, the best point of entry into the Brittany region. Apart from fabulous St-Malo and the nearby beaches, it's the green valleys, deep forests and blue lakes that capture the imagination. A distinct identity Ille-et-Vilaine has, over the years, been quite a puzzle to visitors. Like the other Breton departments, it is distinctively different from the rest of France, however it is not attached to the Breton identity. French is universally used, although you’ll still have to understand the thick Breton accent. Ille-et-Vilaine has a mere one hundred miles of coastline along its Northern edge, which may go some way to explaining why the department feels separate from the sea orientated Breton culture. Much to celebrate Ille-et-Vilaine certainly has a lot to celebrate in its inland areas, however. Green valleys, deep forests and blue lakes can be found in abundance across the department. Among these you will discover tiny villages that have maintained their traditional way of life. To the East, you’ll come across a number of fascinating castles and fortress towns. Some of these were built to defend the Bretons from attacks, while others were simply a way for rich land owners to show their wealth. The most impressive are located in Fougeres and Vitre. Home of the pirates St Malo is a popular place to begin any stay in Brittany. Not only does St Malo itself have lots to offer its visitors but Dinard is just a stone’s throw away across the River Rance. In the 16th Century, the town was an independent republic. These days it is far more integrated with the rest of the area and makes a great base for exploring. In the 17th and 18th Centuries, St Malo gave the world a number prominent pirates. In fact, a large portion of the town’s wealth can be accredited to this profession. The medieval capital Rennes is the capital of Ille-et-Vilaine and also the Brittany region. It has two universities that provide the town with a quarter of its population. The result is a very youthful and vibrant town with a very diverse and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The streets are always awash with artists and actors showing off their talents. Rennes is keen to impress visitors with its clean living and its well-preserved history. You can spend hours wandering around in admiration of its Medieval houses jutting out above the streets below. How to get there The popularity of Brittany to English buyers is, in large part, because of the ease of travelling here. If you want to travel by air Ryanair fly to Dinard while Air France fly to Nantes. Rennes is one of the region's biggest airports but currently has no direct flights from the UK. There are regular ferry crossings to both Roscoff and St Malo. Caen and Cherbourg in Normandy are nearby ports with regular crossings. Condor Ferries go from Poole and Weymouth to St Malo.
Towns of Ille et VilaineConcale - on the Emerald Coast, first became famous for its oysters which were supplied to royal tables in the 17th and 18th centuries.Today, the seafront of the "oyster capital" is packed with restaurants offering the pied de cheval flat variety, sometimes so substantial they are eaten with a knife and fork. The town is not as pretty as some, but the scale and variety of the seafood make a very pleasant lunchtime visit. 
The walk from the famous Cancale rock up to the Pointe du Grohin gives superb views of Mont St Michel on a clear day. The weekly market day is Sunday. Dinard - This popular resort is well known for its beaches, cafés and nightclubs. Great Markets are held on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, and are said to be one of the most flourishing markets in Brittany. Across the estuary, was a favourite haunt of the English aristocracy in the 19th century, establishing tennis and a golf club for their amusement. The old stylish villas give the town a touch of class and extravagance, earning the name "Nice of the North". The sandy beaches are ideal for children and there are some good walks around the bay, with stunning views, taking in the Claire de Lune walkway which is illuminated during the season. A couple of relaxing hours can be spent taking a boat up the river Rance to medieval Dinan. Weekly market days are Thursdays and Saturdays. Dol Del Bretange - is the first town of note when travelling from Normandy and is a good base for exploring the countryside, forest and historic towns nearby. St Samson cathedral is a bit of a hotch-potch of styles externally but inside it is simple harmony with superb 13th century stained glass in the choir. Grande Rue and Rue Lejamptel form the heart of the town with some fine medieval houses. A short walk along the Promenade des Douves gives good views over the Dol marshes. Towards Vivier sur Mer. Le Mont Dol is a dome like lump of granite which rises out of the marshland to 65 metres. It was an ancient Druid ritual site but its summit is now popular for picnics. Fougres - For centuries an important frontier fortress, Fougères dominates the hilltop overlooking the Breton-Norman border. The town’s history inspired many prominent authors including Victor Hugo, Châteaubriand, Balzac and Flaubert. The elegant main street, Rue Nationale, is pedestrianised and has a tiny museum of the town's history. The medieval quarter, once the home of tanners and dyers, still has some ancient wooden houses. The château is one of the best preserved in France and is open from June to September. The nearby forest of Fougères is good for walkers and has marked trails along the river bank or by St François lake.
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