Signpost Guide Brittany and Normandy, 2nd; Your Guide to Great Drives

by Christopher and Melanie Rice

• ISBN13: 9780762712564
• ISBN10: 0762712562
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: Thomas Cook Publishing

Summary

People who travel by car have the best opportunities to explore beyond typical tourist destinations, but driving in an unfamiliar region can be a daunting prospect. Signpost Guides provide practical information to guide motorists through unfamiliar routes, signs, traffic laws and parking. Hundreds of attractions are described in detail, together with recommendations for shopping, dining, and accommodation.

Author Biography

Christopher and Melanie Rice have traveled throughout Europe. They have written numerous travel guides and articles, including books on Russia, the Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Berlin, the Algarve, Brittany, and Normandy.

Table of Contents

About Signpost Guides	8	(2)
Brittany and Normandy at a glance	10	(2)
Introduction	12	(2)
Travel facts	14	(10)
Driver's guide	24	(6)
Getting to Brittany and Normandy	30	(2)
Setting the scene	32	(8)
Touring itineraries	40	(2)
The Lighthouse and Beacon Trail	42	(12)
Exploring Brittany's westernmost coast
Parish closes	54	(14)
Magnificent sculptures on the theme of the Passion
The Crozon Peninsula	68	(10)
Seaside villages and first-rate beaches
The Aulne Valley and the Monts d'Arree	78	(8)
Fish-filled rivers and primeval forests
The Cote de Cornouaille	86	(10)
Where Breton customs and traditions are well preserved
Quimper	96	(4)
Breton culture and riverside manor houses
The artists of Pont-Aven	100	(8)
Landscapes that inspired Gauguin and his friends
The Cote de Granit Rose	108	(17)
Fine beaches along the Pink Granite Coast
The Lac de Guerledan	125	(9)
Watermills, springs, chapels and spectacular gorges
Vannes	134	(8)
Lively maritime city with half-timbered houses
The Gulf of Morbihan	142	(12)
Sea-lapped islands and mysterious standing stones
The Cote d'Emeraude	154	(10)
The 19th-century period charm of the Emerald Coast
St-Malo	164	(10)
Fun for everyone in the lively Channel port
The Rance Valley	174	(8)
Picturesque Dinan, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France
The Nantes-Brest Canal	182	(10)
Explore by boat, motor-launch or canoe
The Marais Salants	192	(10)
Bird-watching and nature rambles among the salt lagoons
Nantes	202	(6)
University town of parks and museums
The Breton Marches	208	(6)
Medieval chateaux in magical settings
Rennes	214	(8)
Prosperous town of classical 18th-century buildings
The Baie du Mont-St-Michel	222	(10)
Magical Mont-St-Michel, perched on its granite rock
La Manche	232	(10)
Norman architecture and fishing villages
The Normandy Beaches	242	(14)
The land of William the Conqueror, and of the D-Day landings
The Cote Fleurie	256	(12)
Cider, cheeses and elegant seaside resorts
The Seine Valley	268	(8)
Norman abbeys and Monet's celebrated garden
Rouen	276	(6)
Timber-framed houses in Joan of Arc's city
Language	282	(1)
Index	283	(4)
Feedback form	287