Visit to Ille-et-Vilaine

You’ve just booked your seaside mobile home at 5-star Sea Green Emeraude Campsite in Brittany? Discover 10 must-do places in Ille-et-Vilaine to visit with your partner, family or friends.

Saint-Malo, the corsair city

City starting from the Route du Rhum, the prestigious transatlantic solo sailing race, Saint-Malo has a rich cultural heritage. The corsair city has more than 80 historical monuments, most of which are located in the internal city. Explore the castle, the Saint-Vincent cathedral, the ramparts, the gates and the poternes which remind us that the Malouins had to do everything in their power to protect themselves from pirates. Saint-Malo hosts every year interesting festivals such as the Route du Rock and the Quai des Bulles (comic strip). If you travel with children, the large aquarium in Saint-Malo will seduce the whole family.

Dinard

Located less than 10 km away from Emeraude Campsite, the beach resort of Dinard received its first British tourists back in the 19th century. The villas, jetty and casino on the seafront certainly give the town a fair amount of charm and Belle Epoque style that definitely make the town worth visiting.

Château de Fougères

The Château de Fougères castle, to the north-east of the city of Rennes, is one of the most beautiful fortified castles in France. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the castle and its ramparts and towers are particularly well preserved. Built over 400 years ago, the fortress is also a good example of military architecture.

Pointe du Grouin

The Pointe du Grouin, between Saint-Malo and Cancale, is one of the most beautiful natural sites on the coast of Brittany. It offers a sensational panoramic view of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay on one side, and the Cap Fréhel on the other. There are several pathways for you to walk along the coast on and fill your lungs with ocean air.

Fine Arts Museum of Rennes

The fine arts museum in Rennes has some splendid art and archeological collections. A metro journey away, the gallery will take you all around the world through different periods of history, from Roman antiquities, to 20th century paintings.

Zoo and castle of Bourbansais in Ille et Vilaine

This zoological park located between Rennes and Saint-Malo (Pleugueneuc to be precise) was built in 1965 next to the castle that shares the same name. During the visit, you’ll get to see 500 animals and enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens — an estate of nearly 25 acres. For a little extra, you can also visit the castle.

Castle of Vitré

Like the Château de Fougères, the Château de Vitré (11th century) is a fortified castle with historic monument status. It has beautiful towers, including the Saint-Laurent tower which served as the governor’s abode back in the day.

Brocéliande Forest

The forest of Paimpont, or Brocéliande, is an enchanted forest that is said to have been crossed time and time again by Merlin the Sorcerer, Viviane, King Arthur, and by the Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail. Guided tours and storytelling visits are organised all year round, by the Paimpont and Tréhorentuc tourist information bureaus. The tours take you to the main points of interest in the forest and tell you all about the legends of the forest: Merlin’s tomb, the Val sans Retour (valley of no return) and golden leaf-covered tree, Barenton fountain, …

La Roche-aux-Fées

Like the rest of Brittany, the Ille-et-Villaine department has a large number of Neolithic sites scattered around. The Roche-aux-Fées (fairy rock) in Essé is one of the region’s best-preserved dolmens. The history of the rock follows various legends that visitors of all ages are always delighted to hear.

Thabor Park

After visiting the fine arts museum in Rennes and the parliament of Brittany, sit and relax in the Parc of Thabor park. The botanical garden is an ideal place to rest in flowery green surroundings in the middle of your day trip to Rennes before returning to your luxury accommodation at Emeraude Campsite in Briac-sur-Mer.