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Day 1: (Hotel in Pontorson)
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Arrival in Rennes. An En France
guide will meet new arrivals at the train station.
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Afternoon |
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Visit the
walled city and castle of Fougères. |
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Day 2: (Hotel in Pontorson)
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Morning
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Visit Cancale, a fishing port famous
for its oysters, and 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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Afternoon
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Explore Dinan, its 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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Evening
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Optional visit of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
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Day 3: (Hotel in Morlaix)
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Morning
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Visit Guincamp to see the Black
Madonna in the basilica of Notre Dame de Bon Secours
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Check into the hotel at Morlaix
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Afternoon
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Visit some of Brittany's parish closes:
St-Thégonnec, La Martyre, or Guimiliau,
distinctive religious monuments of the 16th-18th centuries,
groupings of calvaries, fantastically decorated and carved
in granite.
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Day 4: (Hotel in Morlaix)
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Morning
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Drive to Perros-Guirec to explore
the Corniche Bretonne. You'll enjoy magnificent views and
have fun putting familiar names on the fantastic shapes of
the great granite rocks. Other visitors have recognized a
whale, an umbrella, Napoleon's hat, and more. 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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Afternoon
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Visit the ancient Cairn de Barnénez
a burial mound built well over 6000 years ago, and St-Pol-de-Léon,
a small market town with a fine medieval cathedral and belfry.
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Day 5: (Hotel in Quimper)
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Morning
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Drive through the Monts d'Arrée
to Locronan, whose fine Renaissance buildings were
built with wealth gained through the manufacture of sailcloth.
The sailcloth is gone, but the village retains its original
appearance and is reserved for pedestrians only.
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Afternoon
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Check into hotel in Quimper
Drive to the dramatic cliffs of Pointe
du Van for panoramic views over the Atlantic.
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Day 6: (Hotel in Locmariaquer)
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Morning in Quimper
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Take time to explore the city, the oldest
in Brittany. Discover its distinctive Breton architecture,
remarkable cathedral and folk museum, unique hand-decorated,
colorful faïence (glazed earthenware)
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Afternoon
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Explore Pont-Aven, a 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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Guided visit of the megalithic monuments
at Carnac, the most important prehistoric site in Europe,
with almost 3,000 menhirs.
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Day 7: (Hotel in Locmariaquer)
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Morning
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Spend the day exploring the Golfe du
Morbihan and its islands. Special visit to see the Cairn
de Gavrinis, considered the most interesting megalithic
monument in Brittany. Explore other monuments near Locmariaquer.
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Day 8:
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Morning
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En Route to Rennes brief walk in
the primeval forest of Brocéliande, legendary realm
of King Arthur, whose story is closely linked to Breton history.
Possible 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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Visit the church at Tréhorenteuc
and trace the history of the Grail and its powerful impact
on Breton culture.
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Mid-Afternoon: Arrive in Rennes
to take the TGV back to Paris.
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