Ille-et-Vilaine, France
Self-catering Ille-et-Vilaine holiday rental homes in France
Ille-et-Vilaine is a French department, located in the Brittany region in the northwest of the country. The department is named after its two main rivers, the Ille and the Vilaine, which meet in Rennes, the capital of the department and of the region. The department’s coastline runs from Dinard and Saint-Malo to Mont Saint Michel (in Normandy) and is known as the Emerald Coast - a beautiful destination to explore when staying in Ille-et-Vilaine holiday rental homes, France.
Rennes is classified as a city of art and history. Some medieval and Renaissance houses, such as these at Champ-Jacquet, can still be found in the centre of Rennes. The Parlement de Bretagne is arguably the most famous 17th century building in Rennes. Colourful traditional timber framed houses typify the city and are situated primarily along the roads of Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Georges, de Saint-Malo, Saint-Guillaume, des Dames, du Chapitre, Vasselot, Saint-Michel, de la Psallette and around the plazas of Champ-Jacquet, des Lices, Saint-Anne and Rallier-du-Baty. Rennes is a pretty town to visit when renting a self catering Ille-et-Vilaine holiday house or cottage.
Dinard is on the Côte d'Émeraude (Emerald Coast) of Brittany. Its beaches and mild climate make it an irresistible place to take a holiday rental in Ille-et-Vilaine. The resort became popular with wealthy British visitors at the turn of the last century who built magnificent villas on the coast. Dinard rapidly expanded and became the most popular seaside resort in Europe. Dinard's reputation as the "Cannes of the North" has attracted a wide variety of stars. Joan Collins is a frequent visitor, and Winston Churchill enjoyed holidaying on the River Rance. Dinard boasts many bars and fine restaurants. There are an abundance of beaches and consistently sunny weather – owing to mild temperatures courtesy of the Gulf Stream. The nearby towns of Saint-Briac-sur-Mer and Saint-Lunaire also feature respectively a fairly large golf course and the beach of Longchamp, renowned as a surfers' spot.
Saint-Malo is a walled port city near Dinard. It has one of the highest concentrations of seafood restaurants in Europe – and is famous for its local oysters from the nearby village of Cancale. When you rent a holiday home in the Ill-et-Vilaine, visit Saint-Malo. It’s the most visited place in Brittany and its sites of interest are many! These include: The walled city (La Ville Intra-Muros), the château of Saint-Malo, part of which is now the town museum. For nature and animal lovers there is the Great Aquarium Saint-Malo, one of the major aquaria in France and The Pointe de la Varde, Natural Park.
Travelling to your self catering Ille-et-Vilaine holiday rental property, France
By Air: The Dinard Pleurtuit Saint-Malo airport is about 4 km south of Dinard, Ryanair operates numerous regional flights from the UK directly into this airport. Rennes-Saint-Jacques is another airport welcoming Flybe flights from all over the UK. By Sea: Condor Ferries offer daily sailings (check season variations) from Poole and Weymouth direct to Saint Malo. By Road: The department is well served by auto routes including the A81 and the A84.