Pleudihen-sur-Rance walks

From the Mordreuc tide mill, follow the shaded cliffs along the banks of the Rance, which will take you to the Prat tide mill. You will pass an old lime kiln and see the village of La Moinerie in Plouër-sur-Rance through the trees. On the mudflats, you will see common shelducks. At the end of the Moulin du Prat pond, you will see Quincourbe Castle and its dovecote. You will pass by the ferruginous fountain.

This route has two circular sections, allowing it to be completed in two stages. Both sections highlight the banks of the Rance and allow you to discover the hinterland, the former lands of the gabarriers and Cap-Horniers.

A beautiful circular walk along the banks of the Rance, from the slipway at Mordreuc to La Vicomté-sur-Rance, passing by the charming Moulin du Prat, and returning through the countryside to explore the banks of the Rance.

This hike will allow you to discover the flora and fauna of the Rance estuary. The Rance is a wintering ground for migratory birds. Mordreuc's mascot, seal L 214, will let you take photos with him if the water level allows him to lounge on the slipway. Otherwise, look in the water to see if a whiskered snout is peeking out. In Mordreuc, if you continue 100 metres along the shore, you will discover the old lime kiln.

A lovely day’s hike, taking you around the Rance Maritime as far as the Chatelier lock, the boundary between the Rance Fluviale and the Rance Maritime. On the itinerary: exploring the flora and fauna along the banks of the Rance, magnificent views, small coves and anchorages, and lush valley floors. Depending on the tide, you’ll alternate between shallow waters and mudflats. Please note: some sections along the banks of the Rance are only accessible at low tide and can be quite slippery.

Throughout this route, there are no fewer than five viewpoints from which you can admire this small coastal river, famous for its mouth between Saint-Malo and Dinard thanks to the tidal power plant dam. After following it first through fresh water and then salt water, you will end your route by taking sunken paths that will lead you to a monument dating back five thousand years.

This route, in the hills above Miniac-Morvan, will take you to the Mesnil National Forest, passing through the hamlet of Vieux-Bourg and the old Rennes-Saint-Malo tram line.This route takes you along numerous paths on land and in the undergrowth. Very pleasant in fine weather, but sometimes very wet otherwise.

This route, in the hills above Miniac-Morvan, will take you to the "little" Mesnil State Forest via the village of Vieux-Bourg and the old Rennes-Saint-Malo tramway line.From Saint-Gré, on a clear day, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Cancale coast.This route takes you along numerous paths on land and in the undergrowth. Very pleasant in good weather, but sometimes very wet otherwise.

Walk in the Pays Malouin between the sea and the Rance around one of the most beautiful villages in France. To be done at low tide, check before you go.

Did the Vikings settle in the Rance valley at the foot of Mont Garot? Nothing is less certain, but in any case, this is a theory put forward by the guides. From La Ville-es-Nonais, along the right bank of the Rance, make your way to the site of the supposed Viking camp. At low tide, you can see the site, covered in short vegetation.

The highlight of this walk is exploring the remains of the feudal motte and Coëtquen Castle, built in the 15th century (private property). The route takes in small roads and beautiful forest paths. The name Coëtquen can be translated as ‘white forest’. The Coëtquens were lords who became part of a branch of the Dinan family.

This hike follows the Rance river and the valleys around Langrolay-sur-Rance. It starts at the foot of the Souhaitier Chapel and follows a north-south route offering beautiful views of the Rance and the opposite bank, Saint-Suliac and Mont Gareau. The route is also dotted with some very pretty stone houses. The route follows a branch of the GR®34 to GR®37 trail.

This route will take you through wooded and hedgerow landscapes. Mostly in the undergrowth, it will take you through the Mesnil State Forest (600 ha), formerly owned by the privateer Surcouf, as well as a very small part of the Coëtquen Forest (557 ha). Due to land consolidation policies, many hedgerows have disappeared over the last 50 years. However, hedges and embankments play an important role in the diversity of fauna and flora. They shelter livestock from the wind, limit water runoff and slow down the wind. Birds, insects and small mammals find shelter and food in these areas. Hedgerows are also a source of renewable energy and carbon sinks. For the past twenty years or so, local authorities have been encouraging the restoration of hedgerows and copses.

Mont Gareau, tomb of Gargantua. A historic site steeped in legends and mysteries. The highest point in the region, offering a magnificent 360° panorama from its height of 73 metres! It overlooks Saint-Suliac, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, and in good weather you can see Mont-Saint-Michel, Granville and the Normandy coast.

In the midst of this tide-changing natural environment, Mont Garrot, a true promontory above the river Rance maritime estuary, offers a panoramic view of Saint-Suliac to the north and Anse de Vigneux to the south, where the foundations of an ancient Viking camp emerge at low tide.

This route takes you through wooded and hedgerow landscapes. Running exclusively through the undergrowth, it takes you through the Mesnil State Forest (600 ha), formerly owned by the privateer Surcouf. The paths are well-maintained but numerous, particularly in the southern section; follow the route carefully, ideally using a smartphone, as it is easy to take a wrong turn. The covered walkway, known as ‘La Roche aux Fées’, should not be confused with another walkway of the same name, which is more monumental and located in Janzé.

Saint-Suliac, a former fishing village, is located a stone's throw from Saint-Malo. The landscapes are varied, and this walk will allow you to discover the maritime side of Saint-Suliac and the narrow streets of the old part of the village. The steep side of the shore along the Rance is somewhat reminiscent of the GR®34 between Saint-Malo and Cancale, all things considered. There is a beautiful view of the Rance from the Pointe du Puits.

A lovely walk around the northern tip of Saint-Suliac. Do it whatever the weather! Moderator's note as of 06/04/2021: Some modifications on the ground since the creation of this hike: see the comments at the bottom of this page. Moderator's note a description of June 2022 in reverse order to this one is available here

Shortly after setting off, you will come to the oratory, dedicated to the safety of sailors setting out to sea for the banks of Newfoundland. There is a magnificent view of the village, the Rance and the opposite bank as far as the Pont Chateaubriand bridge. The walk continues along the banks of the Rance to the summit of Mont Gareau, where another viewpoint will surprise you. Along the way, you can admire two old mills: a windmill overlooking the hill (not open to visitors, as it is on private land) and an old tide mill, built inthe 16th century, which was in operation until the 1940s. An association is working to restore it.

Saint-Pierre-de-Plesguen borders the Mesnil forest to the south-east. The route is very wooded and lined with a few picturesque hamlets where you can see some old stone houses weathered by time, in varying states of repair. A magnificent bread oven can be seen just off the route at a place called La Planche, at the first house on the right.

Legend has it that fairies, who were supposed to deliver these stones to Mont Saint-Michel but were too tired, abandoned them here in the Champ des Roches, where the druids used to gather.Sixty-five menhirs dating from 2000 BC are gathered here, forming Brittany’sthird-largest megalithic site, which has been a listed site since 1887.The site has been planted with 60 different species of oak.

First, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Dinan viaduct with two passages under the arches, then stroll along the canalised Rance to reach the village of Tressaint and its woods. This route offers peace and serenity, even though it is very close to a popular tourist destination.

One of the classic walks in the Rance Basin. The path overlooks the Rance and offers numerous colourful views of the water, the riverbanks and river life. An opportunity to walk alongside the Minihic shipyards. A return via the sunken paths and the shaded valley of Saint-Buc takes us back to the Sainte-Anne Chapel, dating from 1631. Very breezy and shaded in summer, very bright and open in early spring. High tide, low tide: you never see the same landscape.

La Rance saw its first tidal mill built in 1181 (Moulin du Lupin near Rothéneuf). Were built between the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Today there are not many of these renewable energy suppliers. This tour allows you to see the ruins of two mills (Fosse Mort and La Herviais) and to walk around this estuary ideal for the construction of mills.

From the beautifully landscaped public garden, there is a remarkable view of the Rance and its right bank, from which the village of Saint-Suliac stands out. From the garden, you can easily reach Garel Beach and the Landriais shipyard with its specific equipment: the above-ground wooden dry dock, via the cliff-top path. The wet Guérouse valley winds through the undergrowth that makes up the Domaine du Pièton.

Built in the 18th century, the fort completes the coastal fortifications designed by Vauban to protect the bay of Saint-Malo from English attacks. With a capacity of 3,000 men, 26 casemates and a 46-metre-long powder magazine, it was delivered too late to play a defensive role. During the 1914-1918 war, it housed German prisoners and, during the last war, it was converted into an ammunition depot by the Germans, who blew up part of the casemates during their evacuation. Decommissioned in 1988, it is now owned by the municipality of Saint-Père-Marc-en-Poulet, which has restored it; shows are organised there.

Wind your way along the banks of the Rance, stopping off at the Abbaye Sainte-Magloire-de-Léhon to visit the fortified heights and historic heart of Dinan.

The main attraction of this hike is the Fort de Saint-Père, built between 1777 and 1785 to protect Saint-Malo from English attacks by land and to complete the defence system designed by the famous Vauban. Part of its enclosure was destroyed in 1944 by the Germans as they fled during the Liberation. Today, the fort has become a cultural and leisure space. Every year, it hosts various trail events, flower markets, festivals and concerts. The fort is open to the public during the events it hosts, but the outer rampart walk is accessible to walkers all year round.

Loop around Dinan between Rance and Pays du Poudouvre via the Écluse du Châtelier to La Moinerie in the commune of Plouër-sur-Rance.

A town of art and history, Dinan is a place of great beauty. Its historic centre takes us back to the Middle Ages and from the top of its ramparts, visitors can look out over the Rance valley and the road viaduct which, with its 10 arches and 50-metre height, spans the Rance. To this, we must add a stroll through the magnificent town centre of Léhon and finally a romantic walk along the Rance.

The route takes you through the old town of Dinan and past several points of interest, then down into the Rance valley. It passes through Léhon, a picturesque little village, and ends along the Rance and the port of Dinan. For the tour of the walls, see the map on the Dinan Agglo website (see practical information). The journey time does not include breaks and stops for visits or sightseeing!

This is a gentle hike that forms a double circular route, one around the hamlet of Le Val ès Bouilli and the second around La Livaudais. Much of the route runs alongside the Rance. The rest is divided between sunken paths and small roads. Along the way, you can see the Pointe du Puits and the Pont Chateaubriand to the south.

A long hike for experienced walkers, from Lehon (Côtes-d'Armor), starting at the old Saint-Magloire Abbey (founded in the 9th century) to Saint-Pern (Ille-et-Vilaine), the mother house of the Little Sisters of the Poor. A page of history and religious life waiting to be discovered.

From Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to La Rance via theGRP® long-distance hiking trail and the countryside around Saint-Malo.

The Rance once had many tide mills on its banks. Today, with the passage of time, erosion and lack of maintenance, little remains. This circuit allows you to discover the coastline, countryside, coastal path, remains of the Montmarin mills, the new mill and the dam that uses the movements of the tides for its tidal power plant.

This is a short, peaceful walk, partly through built-up areas and partly through what is known locally as the white marsh. In fact, the only remaining evidence of the marsh is the leat Jean. The route follows part of the GRP® Tour du Pays Malouin.

Jutting out into the Rance estuary, Pointe de Cancaval offers beautiful views of the right bank: from Saint-Servan to Saint-Malo, the dam and the moorings dotted along the coast. During the walk, you will notice La Malouinière de Montmarin and its remarkable garden, which is one of the most beautiful private residences, and two tidal mill sites that bear witness to the industrial past linked to the tidal range.