Château de Keriolet

Discover the incredible history and architecture of this Neogothic jewel dating from the 15th and 19th centuries and the unusual destinies of the russian imperial princess Zénaide Narischkine Youssoupov and her husband, the earl Charles de Chauveau.

Benodet and the Odet river

International yachting center, Benodet is renowned for its picturesque setting, mild climate, Mediterranean-type vegetation and architectural gems hidden on the banks of the Odet river.

May we end this trip by a few verses from Guillaume Apollinaire, written en 1917 after a stay of the poet in Benodet :

Benodet does not know the one it prefers
The sea with a thousand of reefs or his soft river
The Odet more sweet than sounds her name
But as time passes, you must have to go
Leaving Quimper and the County of Cornwall

Pont-Aven and Concarneau

Pont-Aven (pictured far right), was home to an artist colony known as the "School of Pont-Aven." It was led by the painter Paul Gauguin. Pont-Aven is a pretty market village of white houses and sloping riverbanks.

Concarneau (pictured near right), is the home of the largest tuna fishery in France. The modern part of the city surrounds the original city and its walls that were used to defend against attacks. Many of the houses in the origianl city have been converted to shops and museums, but many people also live in the original city houses.

Pointe du Raz, the end of a mythical world

The Pointe du Raz (pictured above), Pointe du Van and Baie des Trépassés (Bay of the Departed). Located at the tip of Cornouaille, these superb NATURAL PANORAMAS impress by their natural beauty.

Parish Closes: Brittany's Catholic and Celtic Heritage

Among the many other parish closes, the parish closes of St. Thegonnec, Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau, which were built as early as 1532, are symbols of Brittany's Catholic and Celtic heritage. These granite religious structures are an intricate mesh of skilled of craftsmanship and imagery. Churches, altarpieces and crosses are adorned with elves, gods and fairies carved in wood.

Quimper, historic capital of "Cournouaille"

Located in the heart of traditional Brittany and flanked by the Odet and Steir rivers, Quimper is famous for its faience ceramics which have been produced by skilled craftsmen since the 17th century. The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Corentin, pictured on the right, has exceptional 15th century stained glass windows.

Charming old districts, timber framed facades of fine medieval dwellings.

Saint Malo

From Dinan, we will travel to Saint Malo, also known as “Cité Corsaire” (City of Pirates). St. Malo blends 18th century elegance with 16th century provincial port. Destroyed by the Germans in World War II, St. Malo was painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone so that today it is perfect but poignant replica of itself. Jacques Cartier, who is credited with having discovered Canada, lived in and sailed from Saint Malo.

Cap Fréhel and Fort la Latte

From Dinan, it is a brief train ride to some breathtaking sceneries. To the west of the Rance river, beyond Dinard, begins the green of the Cote d'Emeraude. There is the Cap Fréhel, a high warm expanse of heath and cliffs with views extending on good days as far as the Channel Islands. To the east is the Fort la Latte with its tower containing a cannonball factory and which is regularly as a film set.

Dinan: a medieval stronghold

Overlooking the exceptional Vallée de la Rance, Dinan will be our first stop in Brittany. The wonderful Citadel of Dinan has preserved almost intact its three-kilometre encirclement of protective masonry, with street upon colourful street of late medieval houses within. Belfry, churches and convents, timbered houses will disclose their secrets as you go along