Medieval Brittany

This fascinating new tour looks at the tempestuous medieval history of France’s most geographically separate region with a true Celtic flavour, Brittany.  A wealth of medieval buildings survive that offer a real glimpse into the past that has shaped the distinctive Breton character. Julian Humphrys, your eminent medieval historian and host, will educate and entertain in equal measure.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart Portsmouth by overnight Brittany Ferries service to St Malo with reserved cabin 
(Parking at Portsmouth is plentiful, secure and costs £13 per day or the train station is 5 minutes by taxi.)

Day 2: Arrival St Malo and transfer to Dinan
Our overnight ferry arrives in the morning and we transfer by coach to Dinan and check-in to our hotel. A walking tour of the old town and a visit to the historic chateau will be followed by a welcome drink, lecture from Julian “The History of Brittany” and dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Dol de Bretagne and Mont St Michel
The breath-taking Mont-Saint-Michel is definitely worth a quick sojourn into Normandy. The island commune has been the seat of a monastery since the 8th century though it was at its most influential in the 12th and 13th centuries as a pilgrimage site. The abbey, unchanged for centuries, crowns the island, the village at its foot full of shops and restaurants. A religious centre in the 9th century, Dol-de-Bretagne is dominated by its St Samson Cathedral but has a host of other handsome medieval buildings. Second talk “The 100 Years War” and dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 4: St Malo and Fort La Latte
St Malo is a walled port city that was once notorious for piracy, but today the only treasure is the elegant, old architecture, particularly the superb citadel at the city’s heart and a host of superb mansions that line its ancient streets. Its long and tempestuous history has led to it retaining a fiercely independent spirit, whose motto is "Foremost a native of St Malo, a Breton perhaps, and a Frenchman last."  The impressive 13th century Fort La Latte has enjoyed a colourful history including capture by the British in 1490, and is majestically situated overlooking the Atlantic with stunning views of the Emerald Coast. 

Day 5: Vitré and Fougères
Today, we visit two medieval towns, dominated by their respective castles. Unusually well-preserved, the fortified town of Vitré has a wealth of picturesque buildings. The town is dominated by its impressive castle which dates back to the 13^th century and which we will visit. A major town in the marches of Brittany (its name derives from the old French term for “ferns”), Fougères has enjoyed a chequered history over millennia. Its impressive castle, which we also visit, is a superb example of medieval, military architecture dating back to the 12^th century, and its ramparts, set with 13 towers, encloses an area of 5 acres.

Day 6: Transfer by coach back to the port for daytime crossing to Portsmouth.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers. 

INCLUDED

• Overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo in a cabin for double occupancy with private facilities
• Return daytime ferry from St Malo to Portsmouth
• Four nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the three-star Arvon Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome drink, lecture and three course-dinner with wine at local restaurant
• Second lecture and three course-dinner with wine at local restaurant
• Transfers and full coach touring itinerary including entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
• Julian Humphrys and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Single room supplement
• Holiday insurance
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities 

HOTEL

Hotel Arvor, Dinan

A member of the “hotel de charme et de caractére en Bretagne” and perfectly situated in the heart of medieval Dinan, the family-run Arvor is a small boutique three-star hotel that is the perfect base for the theme and content of this fascinating tour. Facilities include a cosy lounge bar and cosy, stylish bedrooms with all modern facilities.

Hotel Website