The 12 things to do in Ille-et-vilaine

Did you plan to visit Ille-et-vilaine? What are the best things to do and see for a stay in Upper Brittany!

To leave in the footsteps of the corsaries in Saint-Malo, King Arthur and Merlin the enchanting in Brocéliande, to be charmed by the edges of the Rance, to vibrate the dynamism of Rennes, to enjoy oysters on the port of Cancale... Welcome to the eastern part of Brittany!

The diversity of things to do is such that there is always something to discover, even after many stays. Also, to help you build your program, we selected 12 places to explore to visit Ille-et-Vilaine.

1. Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is a seaside resort known as the Côte d’Émeraude. Located at the mouth of the Rance, it prides itself on its label “City of Art and History”. The sea is not his only asset! The Malay City enjoys an exceptional historical heritage and a joyful animation all year round.

The ramparts and the intra-muros streets

A stone belt protecting the Corsary City, the ramparts of Saint-Malo are essential for anyone who wishes to visit Ille-et-Vilaine! By climbing through one of the stairs or ramps located at each door of the intra-muros city, you will leave for an hour walk.

At this height, the city will give you all its secrets. On the programme: superb views of Fort National, the islands of Grand and Petit Bé, Dinard, Fort Latte, and the entrance to Rance. And the sea of course, omnipresent here. Between each door, a piece of the malignant history has been discovered since the first enclosure dating from 1155.

There are so many things to see and understand about the history of Saint-Malo that you will have to go through the tourist office (or its website) to get you the brochure of the Circuit des Remparts.

Fort National

You have seen it from the ramparts, but have you entered this emblematic monument of the Malian landscape? Drawing in 1689 by Vauban to protect the city, this stone fort sits in the middle of the sea. You can visit it with a guide that will lead you to the underground and tell you about the many battles that the city "never conquered" had to deliver.

The Great Aquarium

What are you looking for in Ille-et-Vilaine with children? Go to meet the seabed at the Aquarium of Saint-Malo. No less than 10,000 fish and 600 species are presented. From the depths to the warm seas, you will discover different habitats. During the school holidays, many animations promise the whole family a good time to share.

Grand Bé and Petit Bé Islands

Located at the mouth of Rance, the islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé are within walking distance from the ramparts of Saint-Malo to low tide. The largest house is the tomb of the famous writer Chateaubriand, while that of Petit Bé is a military protection building built by Vauban in the 17th century.

2. The Rance

The river winding along the Breton coasts, the Rance takes its source in the neighbouring department of the Côtes d’Armor to throw itself into the Channel. About 100 kilometers, the banks of La Rance are punctuated with nice river ports, walks or bike rides. It is also possible to navigate the Rance channel by kayak or boat.

The Ille-et-Rance Canal

River linking between the ocean and the Channel, the canal winds in the middle of a bucolic Brittany. From Rennes and to the estuary, many bike rides, on foot or on horseback make it possible to discover the locks required for the crossing of 27 meters of heightened water!

From the edges of the canal or on the water on a kayak, admire the passage of one of the 11 locks thus offers a fascinating spectacle. Finally, if you are in the region mid-September, don’t miss the Jazz Festival at the locks of Hede-Bazouges, on the banks of the canal.

Saint-Suliac

From Dinan in the Côtes d’Armor in Saint-Malo, the banks of Rance are punctuated with charming villages. Among them, Saint-Suliac is really worth the detour. Among the best villages Saint-Suliac is an ideal place to discover the homeless, these vast pleasure houses built by merchants and shipowners of Saint-Malo.

The town of Saint-Suliac is concentrated around the fortified church and its parish enclosure. Some streets lead to the small port where there are still some doris, memories of the Terre-Neuvas. Scented doors, windows with lintaux, log houses, and information panels contribute to the architectural and historical interest of the village.

3. Rennes

We can’t visit Ille-et-Vilaine without passing through the capital of Brittany, Rennes.

Historic Centre

Despite the great fire of 1720, the jewels of the historical part of the city of Rennes were preserved. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of a beautiful walk through time! Portes Mordelaises, pedestrian alleys, ramparts and wooden-paned houses are some of the attractions of your visit.

The rue du Chapitre with its beautiful shops, the rue de la Psalette with its old colourful houses, the rue Saint-Sauveur and its gourmet addresses... Then the Parliament of Brittany, built by the architect of King Louis XV. Finally, don’t miss a tour of the Lices market on Saturday, one of the largest in France.

Thabor Park and Gardens

This 10-hectare park combines nicely French garden and English park. A former garden of the Benedictine monks of Saint-Melaine, it was the landscape designer Denis Bühler (XIXth century) who imagined his development as we see it today.

A cave, a music kiosk, a voliere and a rose garden of more than 2,000 varieties. Classified as a ‘remarkable garden’, you come to the Thabor to stroll with your family, picnic or lawn. In addition, many festivals take place between June and September.

Museum of Fine Arts

Since 1794, the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rennes has been continuously enriched, offering a representative background of the history of art from Antiquity to the present day. In addition to the objects of ancient civilizations, we discover some of the treasures of the cabinet of curiosities of Christophe-Paul de Robien (1698-1756). Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, or Rembrandt are among the works exhibited.

Admire the European paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, such as La Chasse au tigre de Rubens or Le nouveau-né de Georges de la Tour. A place of choice is also given to contemporary Breton artists.

Les Champs Libres

Reuniting the Bibliothèque de la Métropole de Rennes, the Musée de Bretagne and the Espace des Sciences, the Champs Libres affirm itself as an innovative cultural institution. There are many exhibitions throughout the year. If you want to visit Ille-et-Vilaine in a more modern aspect, there is no doubt that you will be conquered by coming here.

4. The forest of Brocéliande

Do you remember the legend of King Arthur? Well, it is here, in the beautiful forest of Brocéliande, that it takes its source. The fairy Viviane, Merlin the enchanting and knight Lancelot still populate the imagination of this wonderful space, to explore on foot.

Many hikes lead you to the encounter of magical fountains, mysterious undergrowth, ponds, megalithhes and castles. A tip: Start your discovery by the Secret Gate! Built in the old outbuildings of the Abbey of Paimpont, this show course will immediately plunge you into the imaginary world of Brocéliande.

5. Customs trails: from Cancale to the Pointe du Grouin

Your feet are impatience to the idea of visiting Ille-et-Vilaine by the coast? Put your walking shoes on, and leave for 14 kilometers of customs trail, between Cancale and Pointe du Grouin! You will pass through shredded coves, quiet beaches, small restaurants where to rest.

Enjoy the big tides to offer you an impressive show at the Pointe du Grouin. From your promontory, the panorama is grandiose, from Cancale to Mont-Saint-Michel. Even the Chausey Islands are sometimes visible in clear weather.

6. Cancale

We come to Cancale first of all for his oysters. In this small port, right next to the Epi’s sheet, they are tasted directly after they have purchased them from the producer. At low tide, we see the oyster parks, and we discover the "flats", these flat-bottomed boats that sail in the parks, and then go up on the strike.

Another gourmet option is to sit in one of the crêperies of the port, with a view of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel . Finally, in the summer, go back to time and lift the veil on the "Bisquine", an elegant rigging that organizes sea trips.

7. The marsh of Dol of Brittany

Little town of character, Dol is visiting for its medieval architecture, but also for its marsh. Paradise of birds, it extends over 12,000 hectares divided between the Black Marais and the White Marais, composed of marine tanguer.

If the passers-by are the stars, you can also find cisticoles of the joncs, alouettes of the fields, shepherdets, pale troquets, pinsons, fuvettes... Bird and nature lovers will therefore begin to visit Ille-et-Vilaine by Dol and its marsh! A few kilometers away, the megalithic site of Mont Dol is also worth a visit. From the top of its 65 meters, there are silex and bones dating from paleolithic.

8. Châteaux d’Ille-et-Vilaine

Combourg

Immortalized by Chateaubriand in his Mémoires d’Outre-Tombe , the castle of Combourg illustrates the history of Middle Ages Brittany to these days. Turn fortress, cradle of romance, military hospital, it is still inhabited by the heirs of the famous writer. In terms of architecture, Combourg offers visitors an overview of the neo-Gothic taste of the nineteenth century.

Ferries

Medieval fortresse among the largest in the European continent, the Château de Fougères is more than 1,000 years old! He proudly defended the Duchy of Brittany from the year to 1,500. With its thirteen towers connected by crenate courtines, it is a beautiful example of medieval military architecture.

To understand its enlivened and exciting history, the tour is done with a guide or audioguide. In the summer, night visits to the torch, events with speakers and musicians are organized to relive these pans of the history of Brittany.

Vitré

Another castle not to be missed for anyone who comes to visit Ille-et-Vilaine for its history, the castle of Vitré was built in the 11th century, then gradually expanded to become a defensive military fortress and then a prison. It has been classified as Historic Monument since 1872 and houses the city hotel and a museum.

9. Dinard

From a small fishing village, the town of Dinard became in the 19th century a popular seaside resort of the English, becoming the flagship place of the first sea baths. Located a few blocks from Saint-Malo, it is not long to see that it has kept its retro charm and its appearance of the nineteenth century.

Walking by the sea, you will admire its beautiful classified villas. The Promenade au Clair de Lune will lead you to the tip of the Moulinet. Rich in lush vegetation, this tip offers an incredible panorama of Saint-Malo and the mouth of the Rance.

10. Corsary frigates

The Star of Roy

In the bay of Saint-Malo, this old rigging of 1745 is visited all year round. A professional crew accompanies you on board to convey his passion for sailing and tell the story of the frigate. During the navigation you will face the city walls and the countless islets surrounding the bay. Unforgettable!

The Fox

This corsary cotre was a replica of the last ship armed to the race by the Malouin Robert Surcouf in 1812. When you board the Fox, you can take part in the maneuvers, in the gunfire, during a half day or more.

The Star of France

Hunier schooner, formerly known as Julia af Fäborg, the ship was built in 1938 in Denmark. It is a “brush trader”, one of these solid ships, of which only a few copies remain in the world.

11. Some specialties of Ille-et-Vilaine

The cake

The bucket is the hot-dog breton par excellence! Composed of a grilled bretonne sausage in a bowl of buckwheat, it is a very widespread snack on the occasion of festivities, markets and sporting events. For the anecdote, there is even the association of Sauvegarde de la Galette-Saucisse Bretonne (SGSB), founded in 1994 by two supporters of the Stade Rennais.

Cancale oysters

Cancale is renowned for its wild flat oysters and oysters. The oyster of Cancale enjoys the strongest tides in the world. Its flesh is both firm and supple, its very iodine fragrance and a hazelnut taste emerges at the tasting. To enjoy them, nothing like to taste them even the beach in a dish of fortune with a good glass of white wine!

The craquelin of Saint-Malo

Craquelin is a blown and scary bread. Round shape, it is poached in the water and cooked in the oven. It is usually enjoyed with breakfast with jam, butter or caramel with salt butter, or with aperiod.

12. Water sports

Among the activities to be done in Ille-et-Vilaine, water sports have a beautiful part. Sailing, kayaking, cruises, surfing or sailing are thus offered by the nautical bases and clubs of the coast, especially in Saint-Malo and Dinard. Do you prefer the fresh water and the sweet noise of the streams? Good news! Along the rivers of Upper Brittany, you can also practice live water activities such as canoeing or rafting.

How to get to Ille-et-Vilaine?

By train

Rennes, Saint-Malo is Redon each owns a station where the TGVs flock to major cities in France. It is thus quick to come to visit Ille-et-Vilaine since Paris , Lille , Lyon or Marseille . To travel the department and region of Brittany, nothing like the regional trains (TER). They serve a very large number of small cities at regular and frequent times.

By plane

Two airports allow you to reach Ille-et-Vilaine. The largest is Rennes-Saint-Jacques. Nine companies serve it from France and Europe, including low-costs. To go from the airport to the city centre of Rennes, you can take the bus no. 57 (duration 20 minutes), or take a taxi (up to 18 € on average).

Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo Airport allows it to reach England and the Anglo-Norman Islands. If you wish to get the best price of the moment, a tip: compare the companies' offers on a site like that of Skyscanner . This will also allow you to see all the schedules from your starting point.

Where to stay in Ille-et-Vilaine?

The tourist region of Haute-Bretagne has a wide range of accommodations. Luxury hotels Dinard or Saint-Malo to the campsites on the coast, there is something to satisfy every desire. In recent years, the offer of furnished tourist rentals has exploded, especially in the most touristic cities like Saint-Malo.

See you on hotel comparisons online to view in a blink of an eye the existing offer on your dates of stay!

There is now nothing left to pack and go for adventure!