Saint-André-des-Eaux walks

A very beautiful hike starting and ending in Evran (22), discovering the landscapes of romantic Brittany with its valleys, winding canal and locks.

In Rophemel, the Rance flows through a valley of great beauty. Built in the 1930s, the hydroelectric dam submerged nine fulling and wheat mills. The dam and valley have been a "listed and protected site" since 1945. In addition to producing electricity, the reservoir also supplies drinking water to the city of Rennes. The reservoir was drained in early 2018 to carry out work on the dam. Another drainage operation is underway (2024) to carry out further work on the dam (see my hike: https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-6431... )

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.

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

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.

Médréac, a small village in Ille-et-Vilaine, on the border with Côtes d'Armor. The route is particularly attractive: the picturesque Néal valley with the cave of Gabillard, a local Chouan resistance fighter, the megalithic alignments of Lampouy, the railway station, its museum and its rail bike with two routes. This hike follows theGR® 37 and part of thePR® "Circuit des mégalithes" (Megalith Circuit). The southern part of thisPR® has not been included as it is uninteresting and the paths are poorly maintained.

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.

Circuit exploring the 11 locks of the Canal d’Ille-et-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.

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.

Bonnemain is one of the twenty-six communes in the canton of Combourg (also known as Romantic Brittany). This walk complements the one to the north-east, which runs between the village and the Domaine des Ormes. It winds its way through the countryside via sunken paths and past some pretty little houses.

Located in the north-west of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, Bonnemain is one of the twenty-six parishes in the canton of Combourg, also known as Romantic Brittany. This gentle walk allows you to discover the surrounding countryside and the Domaine des Ormes, renowned for its campsite. The path is lined with some beautiful stone houses and two wayside crosses. The path around the Étang de la Sablonnière is particularly pleasant.

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.

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

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.

This route runs largely through the countryside and follows sunken lanes. It passes through several hamlets whose names raise questions about their origins: Les Forges, Le Portail des Forges and La Ville Feu.

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.

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.

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.

In a bucolic setting, follow the course of the Ru Le Floubalay, which flows into the polders of the Bay of Beaussais-sur-Mer. In Ville-ès-Prêtres, see the sculpture at the foot of the Ferme du Maris: "À l'abri dans le Marais"(Sheltered in the Marsh). It symbolises the work undertaken to regulate the devastating effects of the tides on this submersible area.

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.

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

This route allows us to alternate between the discovery of a hilly landscape, marked by hedgerows and embankments, and the open landscape of the Dol marshes, criss-crossed by its vast network of canals and ditches and punctuated by the omnipresence of Mont-Dol and Dol-de-Bretagne Cathedral.

Discover a magical estuary and hike in the valley from the mouth of the river to the coast. Its name, "ar" "gwen" "on" (or the white river), comes from the fact that at high tide, its bed fills with a mysterious natural foam caused by the mixing of fresh and salt water at its mouth: nature in all its diversity.

The path runs along the right bank of the Rance, overlooking its rocky coves, which resemble Mediterranean calanques. Along the way, stop at La Passagère, where you can see the Maison du Passeur and the house of Commander Jean Charcot. In the cove, you will find the boat graveyard, the only place where old hulls from the Rance valley are beached.

Hike along the coastal path and inland at Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer with magnificent landscapes. If the tide is low, discover the Pointe du Chevet with its islets.

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.

Dol-de-Bretagne is a small town full of character offering numerous hiking opportunities, the most popular being the Marais Blanc and Marais Noir trails. The route suggested here follows part of the Nominöe route, but differs in that it passes through the countryside further south, taking in the Menhir du Champ Dolent and the Fontaine Saint-Samson.

Walking along the Chemin de Ronde between the dam and the pier, you will enjoy various panoramic views of Saint-Servan-sur-Mer and then Saint-Malo. A short boat trip will take you to an outer basin of the port of Saint-Malo. Continue on to the Cité d'Aleth, the Solidor Tower and the Rosais to complete this tour by crossing the dam.

The Pointe du Chevet tour is easy to do and offers two types of coastline. On the west side: a wild coastline opening onto the Baie de l'Arguenon and the Hébihens archipelago that extends beyond it. On the east side: the Bay of Lancieux: the polders and small ports of La Houlle Causseul and Le Châtelet. The coastline of Saint-Jacut-de-le-Mer is bordered by 11 beaches, which you can discover by straying from the suggested route, which follows theGR® 34 to (8).

Ce circuit du littoral emprunte le GR® 34. Il permet la découverte des anciens chemins des douaniers et offre un point de vue exceptionnel, de l’embouchure de la Rivière du Frémur jusqu’au Cap Fréhel.

The Frémur estuary has two different aspects: the right bank is lined with mudflats and polders, which provide refuge for many species of birds during migration. The path is lined with hedges and undergrowth, providing a cool environment for walking. The left bank is sandy, ideal for beach games in summer. It is also where boats moor. There is a beautiful view of the Roche-Good tide mill, nestled at the end of the estuary.

A beautiful walk between land and island, possible at low tide, towards the Hébihens archipelago. The Hébihens Islands are a private island that extends the Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer peninsula. This is an opportunity to discover magnificent beaches and a protected natural site with wild seascapes. Before setting off, check the tide times and coefficients to see if the crossing is possible.

Right from the start, you will travel back in time. You will discover a medieval motte-and-bailey castle, then jump back a few centuries further to discover the Guerches, the ancestors of motte-and-bailey castles. Before reaching Pointe Saint-Efficace, you will pass the ruins of a watermill, then those of a tide mill and finally an old tide mill. As you walk along the sea, you will see Fort La Latte. On the way back, the Chapelle Saint-Germain is worth a detour.

This short hike allows you to discover the southern part of Fresnaye Bay with its colours and lighting changing with the tides, the Moulin de la Mer site, the village of Saint-Germain de la Mer, and views of Fort La Latte.