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Campsite Saint-Malo » Visit Ille-et-vilaine

Visite de l'Ille-et-Vilaine

Have you just booked at the campsite in Ille et Vilaine l’Emeraude in Saint Briac sur Mer?
You can enjoy the campsite but also the surrounding area by discovering the many places to visit. The department of Ille et Vilaine is full of activities to do and places to discover.
Discover the 10 must-see sites to visit as a couple, with family or friends in Ille-et-Vilaine.

plage ile et vilaine

golf ile et vilaine

Towns and tourist sites in Ille-et-Vilaine

Plan your stay in Ille-et-Vilaine

The department of Upper Brittany, Ille-et-Vilaine, has an enticing variety of landscapes and heritage.
Between the spectacle of the high tides of the Emerald Coast, the legends of Broceliande, the corsair stronghold of Saint-Malo, the cultural treasures of Rennes and the oysters of Cancale, Ille-et-Vilaine seems to concentrate the soul of Brittany in its territory.
It invites you to urban tourism as well as water sports, to taste seafood facing the English Channel as well as boat trips on the Rance, to hike in the deep forests as well as to fish on the foreshore of Cancale, and to relax on the beaches as well as to visit medieval towns.

tourisme ille et vilaine

Ille-et-Vilaine by the sea

From the Rance estuary to the gates of Mont-Saint-Michel, Ille-et-Vilaine has some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Brittany. The ramparts of Saint-Malo, the Pointe du Grouin, which is the starting point for the Route du Rhum, the elegant beaches of Dinard and the port of Cancale are exceptional sites whose reputation extends far beyond our borders.

The Emerald Coast extends its landscapes from cove to cove in the neighbouring Côtes d’Armor, in the territories of Lancieux, Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, and as far as Cape Fréhel.
A few kilometres to the west, facing Saint-Briac and the island of Agot, stands the medieval fortress of Fort la Latte.

mont saint michel

The 10 must-see sites in Ille-et-Vilaine

  • Rennes: the capital of Brittany, renowned for its medieval half-timbered houses, its festive character and its cultural dynamism, it is home to the Palace of the Parliament of Brittany.
  • The Fougères region, north-east of Rennes: the largest fortress in Europe, Fougères and its thousand-year-old medieval city are surrounded by other renowned historical sites, such as the Rocher Portail castle or the Bonnefontaine castle in Antrain.
  • The medieval towns of Vitré, Combourg, Dol-de-Bretagne, Châteaugiron, Dinan and the small neighbouring village of Léhon can be visited on a stroll or with a guide. Half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, centuries-old religious buildings, fairs and medieval markets await you.
  • The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: between Brittany and Cotentin, the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a Unesco World Heritage Site. A large part of the bay, from Cancale to the salt meadows of Mont-Saint-Michel via Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes, Hirel and Le Vivier-sur-Mer, is located in Ille-et-Vilaine.
  • Brocéliande: forever linked to the Arthurian legend and the adventures of the knights of the Round Table, the forest of Brocéliande is a must-see in Brittany. Located south-west of Rennes, it is home to the mythical sites of Merlin’s tomb, the Valley of No Return, Vivian’s House and the Fountain of Youth.
  • River trips on the Rance, the Vilaine and the canals of Brittany, from Dinan, Saint-Suliac, Redon or Guipry Messac, to discover the landscapes of inland Brittany and the numerous locks.
  • Cancale: on the mythical bay facing Mont-Saint-Michel, the small port of Cancale is famous for its oysters. Take the customs path to the Pointe du Grouin to appreciate the richness and beauty of its exceptional environment.
  • Dinard, the “garden city by the sea”: its elegant Belle-Époque residences, its gardens and its seaside promenades make it one of the emblems of the Emerald Coast.
  • The corsair city of Saint-Malo, at the mouth of the Rance, stands with its towers and ramparts facing the sea. At the foot of the walls of the walled city, the beaches stretch out at low tide as far as the forts of the Petit and Grand Bé. Sheltered behind the ramparts, small shopping streets and tall houses invite you to stroll around. Discover the city of St-Malo.
  • Redon: surrounded by marshes and watered by the Oust and Vilaine rivers, the city is an ideal starting point for boat trips. Don’t miss the Saint-Sauveur abbey, the most important Benedictine abbey of the medieval period, the Richelieu hotel or the Mail castle.

Saint-Malo, the corsair city

The starting city for the Route du Rhum (2026), the prestigious single-handed transatlantic 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 city centre. Explore the castle, the Saint-Vincent cathedral, the ramparts, the gates and the posterns which remind us that the Malouins once had to do everything possible to protect themselves from pirates. Saint-Malo hosts interesting festivals every year, such as the Route du Rock and the Quai des Bulles (comics). If you are travelling with children, the large aquarium in Saint-Malo will appeal to the whole family.

l'histoire de saint-malo

Dinard

The seaside resort of Dinard, about 6km from camping Emeraude, attracted the first British tourists in the mid-19th century. The villas, the pier and the casino on the seafront give it a special charm and a Belle Epoque style that is well worth a visit. You will be within easy reach of the campsite near Saint Malo

Fougères Castle

The castle of Fougères, north-east of Rennes, is one of the most beautiful French castles. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, it is distinguished by the good preservation of its towers and ramparts. This building, built over more than 400 years, is a very fine example of military architecture.

Défilez horizontalement
Dinard Promenade du moulinet
Chateau de Fougeres
Chateau de Fougeres Bretagne

Pointe du Grouin

The Pointe du Grouin, between Saint-Malo and Cancale, is one of the most beautiful natural sites on the Breton coast. It offers a sensational panoramic view of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on one side and Cap Fréhel on the other. Several paths allow you to walk along the coast and fill your lungs with iodized air.

Pointe du Grouin

Rennes Museum of Fine Arts

The Musée des Beaux-Arts of the Prefecture of Brittany contains beautiful artistic and archaeological collections. Accessible by metro, it will take you to the four corners of the world and to different eras, from Roman antiquities to 20th century paintings.

Rennes Musée des beaux arts

Zoo and castle of La Bourbansais in Ille et Vilaine

This zoological park located between Rennes and Saint-Malo (Pleugueneuc) was built in 1965 next to the castle of the same name. During the visit, you will get close to 500 animals and stroll through the castle’s gardens, in a 10-hectare estate. For a small fee, you can also visit the castle.

Lion château de la Bourbansais

Castle of Vitré

Like that of Fougères, the castle of Vitré (11th century) is a listed fortified castle. It has very beautiful towers, including the Saint-Laurent tower, the former governor’s residence.

Château de Vitré

Forest of Broceliande

The forest of Paimpont or Broceliande is an enchanted forest that has been traversed time and again by Merlin the Enchanter, the fairy Vivian, King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table in their quest for the Grail. Guided tours and storytelling are organised all year round, in particular by the Paimpont and Tréhorenteuc tourist offices, to discover the high points of the forest and their legends: Merlin’s tomb, the Valley of No Return and the Golden Tree, the Barenton fountain…

Forêt de brocéliande

La Roche-aux-Fées

Like the whole of Brittany, the department of Ille-et-Vilaine is dotted with Neolithic sites. La Roche-aux-Fées in Essé is one of the best preserved dolmens in the region. Its history is accompanied by several legends that amaze visitors of all ages.

La Roche Aux Fees

Thabor Park

After visiting the Rennes Fine Arts museum and the parliament of Brittany, come and relax in the Thabor park. This botanical garden is an ideal place to relax in a green and flowery setting during your day in Rennes before heading to your luxury accommodation at the Emeraude campsite in Briac-sur-Mer. Organise your holiday with the Ille et Vilaine tourist office.

Parc du thabor