Back roads of Brittany Self-Guided Cycling

Back roads of Brittany Self-Guided Cycling

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Back roads of Brittany Self-Guided Cycling

9 Days Starting in France and ending in Brittany

Visiting: France

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

C08BT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 6

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

8 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Cycling, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

It's almost impossible to resist the appeal of Brittany's spectacular Emerald Coast, with its pink granite cliffs and turquoise seas, wonderful white beaches and deserted little coves. Writers and artists, attracted by the stunning landscapes, dramatic views and vibrant Mediterranean-style colours, have been coming here for centuries, yet the region remains largely unspoilt with much of its original charm still intact. So you'll see locals with shrimping buckets wading the beaches and fishermen cleaning out shells by hand. Be sure to sample the region's signature dish: the seafood platter, piled high with shiny pink lobster, king prawn, silver oysters, scallops and clams, all washed down with refreshingly cold Breton cider.

Highlights

  • Cycle through traditional Breton fishing ports, colourful sailing harbours

  • Visit preserved walled towns unchanged since the Middle Ages

  • Enjoy superb seafood; sweet and savoury crepes; refreshing local cider

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive At Lamballe

Meals Included: dinner


Your holiday starts at M. Jamin's 16th Century manor house in the
countryside, just 3kms outside the market town of Lamballe. With only 16
rooms, it's a lovely, intimate place to stay. The inner courtyard opens up on
to beautifully kept gardens and an elegant terrace for al fresco dining on
fine summer evenings.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 2 : Lamballe To Sables D'or-Les-Pins

Meals Included: breakfast


It's gentle cycling today as you head first along quiet country lanes then
out to the coast and the lively sailing resort of Pleneuf-Val-Andre. The
deserted white sandy beaches here are simply gorgeous so make sure you take
your swimming things with you! There are also some excellent ocean-facing
restaurants where you can enjoy a long seafood lunch. Lovely beachside trails
lead to the sleepy seaside village of Sables-d'Or-les-Pins where your hotel
is just 200m from the sea.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 3 : At Sables D'or-Les-Pins

Meals Included: breakfast


Relax on the beach or follow our 25km circular cycling route taking in the
Cap Frehel lighthouse and the famous 14th Century feudal stronghold of Fort
de la Latte. Perched on a rocky promontory above the sea, it occupies one of
the finest settings in northern France, and it's easy to see why it's been
used on numerous film sets. A climb up to the gallery at the top of the tower
will reward you with magnificent views extending as far as Jersey on a clear
day.

Optional ride: 25km / 16 miles
*Standard Hotel*

Day 4 : Sables D'or-Les-Pins To Dinard

Meals Included: breakfast


Today's route starts with scenic pedalling through pretty farming hamlets -
wonderful views across the Baie de la Fresnaye. Perhaps stop for a coffee in
the bustling market town of Matignon before you head on to the popular
yachting village of Lancieux, with its impressive square bell tower capped by
a dome and lantern turret. Continue to gorgeous St-Briac where Debussy
composed his major work 'La Mer'. The final stretch takes you to your hotel
in the seaside town of Dinard.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 5 : At Dinard

Meals Included: breakfast


Once a sleepy fishing village on the estuary of the Rance, the English
transformed Dinard into one of the most famous and upmarket seaside resorts
in Europe. Although a little quieter now, it has not lost any of its charm
and many of the Belle Epoque villas have become historic monuments. Walk out
to the Pointe des Etretes for views of the off-shore islands, or take a 10
minute ferry across the bay to St-Malo to lose yourself in the narrow cobbled
streets within Intra Muros (the fortified walls) of the ancient mediaeval
city.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 6 : Dinard To Dinan

Meals Included: breakfast


A complete change of scene today as you cycle inland and follow the banks of
the River Rance. You'll feel like you're taking a trip back in time as you
pass sleepy hamlets, forgotten fishing ports and postcard-pretty St-Suliac,
officially rated as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Enjoy lunch
at the lovely sailing port in St-Hubert then cycle along the wonderfully flat
towpath to Dinan. Your hotel here overlooks the river and picturesque port,
and has a lovely outdoor swimming pool if you fancy a dip.
Two route options: East bank route 34km / 21miles or West bank route 33km /
20miles

*Standard Hotel*

Day 7 : At Dinan

Meals Included: breakfast


This beautifully preserved ancient walled town, with riverfront port and
picturesque half-timbered buildings, is an absolute gem. Wander round the
marvellously restored ancient squares and ramparts, visit the imposing 13th
century castle (with dungeon), admire the flamboyant Gothic basilica and
stroll the lovely cobbled streets packed with authentic artisan workshops.
Maybe take lunch in the bustling Place des Merciers, where pretty
triangular-gabled houses are further examples of Dinan's exceptional
architectural heritage, then, in the afternoon, perhaps follow our 25km
circular cycle route inland to the pretty village of Evran.

Optional ride: 25km / 16 miles

*Standard Hotel*

Day 8 : Dinan To Lamballe

Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


Your first stop today is the picturesque little village of Lehon, then it's
on through quiet farming villages to the impressive 13the century Château de
la Hunaudaye. The ruins of this huge Château date back over 800 years, yet
the five majestic towers are still in good condition and are surrounded by a
water-filled moat. You finish the day with gentle, flat cycling through the
forest back to Lamballe where you can relax in the gardens and enjoy a
celebratory drink before dinner - a Kir Breton (cassis and cider) maybe?

*Standard Hotel*

Day 9 : Leave Lamballe

Meals Included: breakfast


If you have pre-booked a transfer our rep will take you to Lamballe station
in time for your train.

What's Included

  • Local bike hire

  • Meals

    8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 2 dinners.

What's Not Included

Accommodation

Food

All buffet breakfasts and 4 evening meals are included. Brittany’s fish and seafood is without doubt one of the region’s biggest draws. Platters stacked high with lobster, crab, oyster, shrimp and prawns grace the tables of the atmospheric restaurants. Huge bowls of fresh mussels, scallops and stuffed clams take their place alongside delicious sea bass and bream. The flat local ‘Belons’ oysters are delicious, fleshier than normal ones; they are renowned for their fine hazelnut flavour. Seafood will generally be served with the excellent Breton butter, which contains Guérande salt crystals, and plain bread. Many people also think of crêpes when they think of Brittany and indeed almost every little village or town has its own crêperie.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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