Active Adventures in French Brittany: City Lights, Historic Sites & Coastal Hikes - 9 Days

Highlights

• Sip Champagne and enjoy a gourmet dinner on an evening cruise of the Seine
• Ride bikes through Paris' lively Latin Quarter and chic Marais district
• Visit the ancient Benedictine abbey on the tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel
• Trek the rugged pathways and endless ocean views of Brittany's Emerald Coast

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Dinner Cruise on the Seine

Welcome to France! Your flight lands in the capital city of Paris, otherwise known as the "City of Lights." This thriving metropolis blends far-reaching history with modern vibes, featuring ancient architecture alongside chic cafés, world-class museums, and high-end shopping. Upon arrival, you'll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. Once you've checked in and had a chance to get settled, you're free to relax or step out for some sightseeing on your own. 

This evening, see Paris from a different view with a dinner cruise on the Seine. Just before sunset, board your luxury vessel and meet your captain. Sip Champagne as you watch the cityscape pass by, taking in sights such as the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Palais Garnier. Enjoy a dinner that features innovative cuisine based on fresh, seasonal products, all prepared by a professional chef. Watch the sun drop and the city lights illuminate the shoreline while listening to the ship's live musical entertainment. 

Day 2: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Sightseeing Fun, Discover the Eiffel Tower 

Start the day with a tour via double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus, a great way to see some of the main sites around the city. Choose from a 24-hour ticket that allows you to disembark at will, or a 48-hour option, which includes a Seine River cruise. Drive by landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and Sacre-Coeur, as well as the lavish Champs-Elysées. The tour offers fully narrated audio, allowing you to learn about more than 15 different popular sites around Paris conveniently and comfortably.

Later, visit one of Paris' most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower. Built by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World's Fair, this 1,049-foot (320 m) spire has stood the test of time, and now, no one could imagine Paris without it. Start at the second floor, where you'll see panoramic views that include the Louvre, Grand Palais, and the meandering canals of the Seine. The second floor is also home to the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant, along with a Pierre Hermé macaron bar and takeaway food stands, so grab a bite if you're hungry!

Make a stop at one of the official gift shops for souvenirs bearing the original Eiffel Tower brand name, then continue to the tower's summit. Consisting of both enclosed and open-air decks, get a birds-eye view of the city and surrounding countryside from an astounding height of 906 feet (276 m). Walk down to the first floor, partaking in a refreshing glass of Champagne at the finish.

Day 3: Bike Tour Through the Latin Quarter & Le Marais

See Paris like a local today on a guided bike tour through two of the city's most beloved neighborhoods, the lively Latin Quarter and the chic Marais district. Meet your guide after breakfast and follow them through the city and into the Latin Quarter, home to the Sorbonne University and a haven for students, artists, and creators. Navigate the maze-like streets, where writers such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald once walked, and see sights such as the newly rebuilt Cathédrale Notre-Dame and the Pantheon, as your guide shares insight into the district's rich history and heritage.

Continue to the Marais district to cruise through the Canal Saint-Martin area. Once the city's Jewish quarter, modern Le Marais features hip boutiques, art galleries, bars, and a wealth of cheese shops where you can sample perfectly paired cheese and wine. See the Maison de Victor Hugo, former home of the famed writer that's now a museum, and ride by the greenery of the Place des Vosges, Paris' oldest planned square. Be sure to stop by the impressive Hôtel de Ville, the headquarters of Paris' municipal council since the 1300s. Return to your hotel later on to rest up for tomorrow's change of scene.

Day 4: Train to Saint-Malo & the Breton Coast

Your next destination is the fortified town of Saint-Malo. Located in France's Brittany region, this port city once served as a stronghold for pirates, with tall granite walls surrounding the atmospheric Old Town district. This is also the home of the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel, one of Brittany's most iconic sites. Check out of your Paris hotel in the morning and head to the train station for the scenic, three-hour ride. 

Arrive and check in at your accommodations, then you're free to discover some of the sites around Saint-Malo. Take a peaceful walk through the Old Town and stop for wine or a meal at one of the local restaurants. Brittany's culinary traditions include delicious varieties of crêpes, so be sure to visit a local crêperie for a sample! Saint-Malo is also a top destination for beachgoers, with options such as Grand Plage (Big Beach), a long stretch of white sand along the edge of town, or Plage du Mole, a smaller pebbled beach with gentle waves and warm water.

Day 5: Private Tour of Mont-Saint-Michel, Cancale & Saint-Malo

See one of the region's most iconic landmarks with a private tour. The tidal island and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont-Saint-Michel sits in the Couesnon River estuary, crowned by the walls of a towering Benedictine abbey. A pilgrimage site that dates back to the eighth century, the Dukes of Normandy and subsequent French kings helped to develop the abbey, with several buildings added to it throughout the Middle Ages.

Start from the village's dual entrance, which features separate arched doorways for carts and pedestrians, walking along the ancient streets and passing by traditional timber-framed architecture. Visit the vast abbey and its ramparts, whose setting has been the inspiration for countless artists. During the tour, your guide will share lesser-known tales and legends about Mont-Saint-Michel through the ages—don't be surprised if you feel like you've fallen back in time to the medieval era!

Next up is the port of Cancale, home to some of France's most famous oyster farms. Cancale oysters are renowned for their flavor, and you'll have an opportunity to try them, as well as other fresh seafood. Your tour closes back in Saint-Malo, where you can walk the 12th-century ramparts as your guide shares more of the town's storied history, visit the Chateau de Saint-Malo, a castle that now serves as a museum, or if the tide is out, walk over to the islands of Grand Be and Petit Be. One of the islands is home to a military fort, Fort National, and the other houses the tomb of French writer Chateaubriand.

Day 6: Walk to Saint-Briac, Afternoon at Leisure

Put on your sturdiest walking shoes today, as you're off to Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, a coastal town located in Brittany's Ille-et-Vilaine region. Check out of your Saint-Malo hotel in the morning and set out, traveling along the pristine blue-green waters of the Emerald Coast for approximately 9.9 miles (16 km). Your trek can be as quick or as leisurely as you like, taking you from cove to cove with views of the island of Cézembre just offshore. Stop in the village of Saint-Luniare for lunch and a walk on the beach of La Grande Plage, a beautiful stretch of sand in the center of town

Arrive at Saint-Briac and get checked into your hotel, then spend the rest of your afternoon strolling through the town center with its 17th-century church, or visiting the assorted shops and restaurants. The center is surrounded by a web of narrow streets, where you'll find charming stone cottages and villas. Stop by the Petit Port for sea views, or visit local beaches such as Plage du Bechét, where you'll see boats coming and going, or the quiet pebbled beach of Plage du Tertre Pelé. 

Day 7: Walk to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo via Argueron Bay, Beaches & Ocean Views

Your trek continues this morning as you make your way to the Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer peninsula and walk along Argueron Bay to your next destination, Saint-Cast-le-Guildo. Hike for approximately 8.6 miles (14 km), passing large sandy beaches and breathtaking sea views. Arrive in Saint-Cast in time for hotel check-in, then explore this popular seaside town.

See sites such as the ruins of a feudal castle, the former home of Breton prince Gilles de Bretagne, or make your way to the port and walk the Promenade du Soleil Levant, where you'll find shops and restaurants. This region is also known for its beaches, with options such as the Grande Plage, prominently located in town and a gathering place for local families, or the smaller and quieter Plage de la Mare, which sits on the north end of town. 

Day 8: Walk to Fréhel, Discover the Fréhel Peninsula

Your final full day in France takes you hiking along the Fréhel Peninsula, a trek that covers between 9-11 miles (15-18 km) and is easily one of the most picturesque sections of the French coastline. Walk trails banked by moorland and marshes on one side and the massive cliffs of Cap Fréhel on the other.

In the afternoon, arrive at Fort la Latte, or the Castle of the Rock Goyon, a 14th-century fortified castle that offers dramatic views of the English Channel. Walk across the drawbridge and into the halls of this well-preserved medieval marvel, visiting the gardens, dungeon, and common rooms. Film buffs may also recognize the castle from the 1957 movie, “Vikings," among others. Your driver will meet you here for transport to your accommodations, and you'll enjoy your final evening relaxing or having dinner at a local restaurant in Fréhel.

Day 9: Transfer to Plancoët, Train to Paris, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to the beautiful Breton coast. This morning, you'll transfer to nearby Plancoët and catch a train back to Paris, where your driver will transfer you to the airport for your departing flight. Au revoir! 

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