Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Cancale

Cancale could be known as the oyster capital of Brittany as its famous oysters have been a local delicacy since they were served to the royal family in the 17th century. The town centre is situated at the top of a hill, and features a church and town square with a tribute to the oyster workers in the form of a bronze statue and fountain. The Oyster Museum details the history and collection of oysters as well as of the town's history. As expected, a host of restaurants cater for tourism, especially along the extensive port and seafront, and fish from the bay is unloaded daily at the Porte de la Houle. The church has a good collection of stained glass, and market day is Sunday. Other activities include sailing, fishing or just relaxing on the beach. For the more energetic, a walk to the Pointe du Grohin from the Cancale rock offers splendid views across the bay and on a clear day St Malo is visible. For an excursion try La Ferme Marine de Cancale where one of the exhibits features 1500 seashells from across the world.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Dinard

Dinard shot up the popularity scale in the 19th century when it was adopted as a chic holiday resort by the English aristocracy and became known as 'Venice of the North.' Today there are elegant mansions, good restaurants and cafés and a wealth of tourist attractions which guarantee Dinard's continuing position as one of the most visited towns in Brittany. The beaches are clean and sandy, ideal for family holidays. There are boat trips on the river Rance to the medieval town of Dinan. To appreciate the area on foot, take the 8 km Claire du Lune walkway which begins from the Plage du Prieure and continues across the port to the Pointe du Molinet. A changing panorama of coastal views which vary according to the season, with tides that can reach up to 14m. From here there are views over to St Malo. The walkway is illuminated during the high season. A little way round the coast is the beach of St-Enogat. Opposite the Plage du Prieure is the 5 hectares Parc de Port Breton,with a lake, children's games, a large rose garden and over 40 species of animals. Other attractions include the Aquarium du Laboratoire Maritime which offers a huge choice of sea creatures, and souvenirs and doucments detailing the voyage to the Antartic by J.B. Charcot. Open 15th May - 15th October. Dinard also has a hydroelectric dam which spans the River Rance and generates about 10% of Brittany's electricity. The visitors' centre is open daily to the public. The Piscine Olympique is situated to the Plage de l'Ecluse, and offers an olympic-sized pool with heated sea water. Just next to the swimming pool is The Wishbone Club where visitors can learn kayaking and windsurfing. Open daily during the summer and weekends the rest of the year. Two musuems, the Musée du Site Balnaire and the Musée Château explore the town's history. The town hosts a festival of British films at the end of Ocotber. Market days are Thursdays and Saturdays.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Dol de Bretagne

In the 6th century, Dol de Bretagne became one of the first bishoprics in Brittany and its heritage includes the impressive Cathedral of Saint Sampson which has some fine 13th century stained glass. Situated just in front of the cathedral is an exhibition centre, The Cathedraloscope, devoted to the construction of cathedrals with models, exhibits and workshops. Another reminder of the town's history are the medieval houses which still remain, one of the oldest of these being the Maison de Petits Palets which has links with the Viking invasions of this area. Most of the medieval houses can be seen in the Grand Rue and Rue Lejamptel. The public park Promenade des Douves offers pleasant strolls and good views over the marshes and to the coast. The tiny rock island of Mont Dol is situated in the bay, which has a small chapel at its summit. One of the most impressive menhirs (standing stones) the Menhir du Champ Dolent can be viewed just outside Dol de Bretagne. At 9.3m high it is one of the tallest in Brittany. Market day is Saturday.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Fougères

The ancient city of Fougères has a rich past and still has some medieval houses in the old part of the town which were once the homes of local dyers and tanners. It is built on two levels which are separated by granite cliffs and overlooks the Brittany/Normandy border. There is an imposing fortified entrance gate, La Porte Notre-Dame. The town has many elegant statues and fountains, although the most important attraction is the largest medieval castle in Europe, the Fougères Château which is well preserved and open to the public between June and September. There are regular concerts held in the château during the summer season. In the 16th century Italian glassmakers made Fougères a base, and in Le Val Gardens is a modern glass sculpture entitled 'L'Oeuvre à la Vie.' It represents peace and the cultures of the whole world. The town was also important for shoemaking from the end of the 19th century. The town has a small museum situated on its main street, Rue Nationale. Other attractions are the Church of Saint Sulpice and the Saturday market in Les Halles. Just outside the town is the Forêt de Fougères, a popular spot for walkers with marked trails and the St François lake which is ideal for picnics.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Redon

Redon is known for amongst other things, a particular variety of chestnut. In the past chestnuts were a local staple food, even eaten instead of bread, and today many restaurants feature this delicacy in their menus. In October there is a chestnut fair, 'La Foire de la Teillouse.' As the town is situated at the confluent of the Nantes-Brest Canal and the Rivers Oust and Vilaine, it is an ideal spot for cruising, canoeing and walking along the river and canal banks. The market is held on Mondays and offers fresh local produce from an area rich in agriculture. In the old town, visit the Romanesque church of Saint Saveur. In high season the town hosts 'Les Nocturials' close to the church which is a festival with weekly performances devoted to medieval, celtic and baroque music. Redon has the status "Ville Fleurie" and is bedecked with hanging baskets and floral displays in the summer.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Rennes

Rennes is the capital city of Brittany and is largely industrial, although with many attractions for visitors. It is built on two hills at the confluent of the rivers Ille and Vilaine. It is a centre for the production of Citroen cars, and the seat of the Brittany Parliament. The old town of Rennes which dated back to the pre Roman era was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1720, and today's city has been rebuilt on the opposite side of the River Rance. It is a thriving university city with a large number of bars and a vibrant nightlife. The town has the status 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire.' There are some timber framed houses in the streets leading off from the city centre, and some 16th century architecture in the Places des Lices. The town has three museums, two of which are situated in Les Champs Libres along with the city library. The first is The Museum of Brittany which has three permanent exhibitions called "Brittany, a World in Microcosm,' 'A Thousand and One Images' and 'The Dreyfus Affair' which is devoted to Captain Dreyfus who was reputed to be a German spy. There are also two temporary exhibitions per year. The second museum is The Science Museum which has two permanent and one temporary exhibition. The Thabor Gardens cover 10 hectares, and are sited on the fomer orchard of the monks of Saint-Melaine Abbey. There is a bandstand, an aviary and a wide variety of plants. The Oberthur Gardens include an ornamental lake with carp, swans and ducks. The Parc des Tanneurs and Saint-Martin Meadows offer interesting botanical species including sequoia. Rennes' most recent park is Beauregard Park which covers 6 hectares and features Japanese flowering cherries and a hug sundial. La Place de la Mairie is one of Rennes' best known squares, overlooked by the Opera House. The modern Colombier Centre has an excellent choice of shops, cafés and restaurants and features a crystal replica of itself in the entrance hall. The market, the third largest in France, is situated in Les Halles Martenot and takes place on Saturday mornings. Churches to visit include The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre which was built on the site of 2 former 4th century churches. The cathedral was re-built in the period 1787 to 1844. Other churches are the Basilica of Saint-Saveur, and Saint-Germain Church which dates back to the 15th century and has a combination of impressive ancient and modern stained glass windows.

Ille-et-Vilain Tourist Info: St. Malo

Situated on the N137 north of Rennes at the mouth of the River Rance, St Malo is very well known as a ferry port, but the town has many additional attractions and is one of the most visited places in Brittany. The city walls were largely destroyed during the second world war but are now completely restored and visitors can walk right around the town with splendid views towards the harbour and the sea. The old city Inside the walls is known as Intra Muras, and has a wide variety of tourist shops and restaurants, with markets on Tuedays and Fridays. St Malo is reputed to have the highest number of seafood restaurants in Europe, many of which feature the local Cancale oysters. Attractions include the the Château of St. Malo, and Cape Horn Museum which is located in a 14th century house and is largely dedicated to the rounding of Cape Horn in the 17th and 18th centuries. At low tide it is possible to cross the causeway and vis the Isle of Grand Be, burial place of the writer Chateaubriand who was born in St. Malo.

Ille-et-Vilaine Tourist Info: Vitré

Vitré is considered to be amongst the prettiest medieval towns in Brittany. It has preserved its exceptional architectural heritage and boasts an abundance of half timbered houses and cottages. In the middle ages the town centred around the production of Indian Hemp which was exported to the USA and Europe. Today the town is classified as a "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire. There are plenty of good shops, cafés and bars, and several of the town's restaurants participate in the local 'Cuisines en Fête.' Participating restaurants undertake to produce quality menus using traditional local ingredients. The Château des Rochers Sevigné, the former home of Madame de Sévigny, is little way out of the town. The Château houses a museum which is open daily from July to the end of September. Other attractions include the Eglise Notre Dame which has fine examples of stained glass windows. Market day is Monday.