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Day 1: (Hotel near the Mont-Saint-Michel,
not included in tour price)
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Arrive at hotel, check in.
Seaside drive along Brittany's impressive coast.
Welcome apéritif and orientation.
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Day 2: (Hotel near the Mont-Saint-Michel)
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Morning
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Visit Saint-Malo
Founded in the 6th century, this fortified city became one of
France's most important ports. From here, fishermen, sailors and pirates
set sail for the New World. You'll wander the narrow,
cobbled streets of the old town and walk the 12th-century ramparts.
The castle watchtowers offer impressive views of the coast.
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Explore Dinan
Cobbled streets, shops and half-timbered dwellings--a perfectly
preserved medieval town, guarded by its imposing castle.
Panoramic views of the Rance Valley.
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Afternoon
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Guided visit of Rennes,
one of Brittany's largest cities.
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Evening
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Optional visit of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
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Day 3: (Hotel near the Mont-Saint-Michel)
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Morning
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Stop at the Menhir de
Champ-Dolent, a 30ft high dolmen, one of the finest in
France.
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Walk in the primeval forest of Brocéliande,
legendary realm of King Arthur, whose story is closely linked
to Breton history. Stop at the remains of the ancient château
and the fountain which legend says is the birthplace of the
fairy Viviane, Lady of the Lake. See the magical spring where
the sorcerer Merlin is said to have met Viviane.
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In the church at Tréhorenteuc
trace the history of the Grail and its powerful impact on Breton
culture.
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Late afternoon
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Visit the walled city and castle of Fougères.
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Day 4: (Hotel in Morlaix)
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Morning
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Depart for the Côte du
Goëlo.
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Stop to see the seaside resort of Saint-Quay-Portieux,
the Abbaye de Beauport and the impressive
port of Tréguier.
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Afternoon
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Drive to Perros-Guirec
to explore the Corniche Bretonne.
Walk along the craggy rose granite seascape of Perros-Guirec.
Admire its giant boulders, silver-sand beaches, lighthouses
and caves believed to have been inhabited by Neolithic tribes.
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Explore the picturesque coastline: ports,
mysterious menhirs, offshore reefs and islands
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Day 5: (Hotel in Morlaix)
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Morning
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Visit the ancient Cairn
de Barnenez and St-Pol-de-Léon,
a small market town with a fine medieval cathedral and belfry.
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Afternoon
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La Martyre, Lampaul-Guimiliau,
Guimiliau and St-Thégonnec:
a few of Brittany's parish closes, distinctive religious monuments of the 16th-18th centuries,
groupings of calvaries, fantastically decorated and carved in
granite.
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Day 6: (Hotel in Quimper)
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Morning
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Drive through the Monts
d'Arrée to Pleyben to see its
parish close.
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Visit the Renaissance village of Locronan.
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Afternoon
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Arrive in Quimper--the
oldest Breton city.
Distinctive Breton architecture, remarkable cathedral and folk
museum, unique hand-decorated, colorful faïence (glazed earthenware)
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Guided visit of Quimper.
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Day 7: (Hotel in Quimper)
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Morning
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Drive to Pont-Aven.
Village known for lovely promenades. One path crisscrosses the river
on landscaped paths for views of mansions and watermills. Another
leads into wooded gardens which have inspired musicians, poets
and painters. Gauguin lived here in the 1880s and influenced
the development of an art colony.
A wooden Christ sculpture in the 16th century Trémalo Chapel
was the model for Gauguin's "Yellow Christ".
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Visit Concarneau's
old town.
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Afternoon
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At Pont-l'Abbé
see the Bigouden museum.
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Drive to the dramatic cliffs of Pointe
du Van.
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Explore the picturesque village of Pont-Croix.
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Day 8: (Hotel in Quimper)
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Morning
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En route to the Rennes train station, stop
at Carnac,
the most important prehistoric site in Europe, with almost 3,000 menhirs.
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Brief visit of Vannes
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