Saint-Samson-sur-Rance walks

From the village of Saint-Samson, make your way to the Rance at Le Petit Lyvet via the Voie Verte and the Gallo-Roman track. Take a short detour to the menhir known as ‘La Pierre Longue’: standing 8.5 metres tall, it has stood there since 2,500 to 3,000 years before our era.

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.

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.

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.

A lovely walk along the banks of the Rance and through the beautiful Bois de Rochel forest. This walk combines various routes suggested by Plouër-sur-Rance Town Hall. It begins as a blue trail along the banks of the Rance, where the landscapes and views change with every tide. After passing through hamlets with traditional stone houses, it continues as a green trail through the forest, where beech and chestnut trees over 25 metres tall never fail to impress and where sunken paths await the walker. Take care in winter, as some sections may be damp. But in summer, don’t hesitate – with its open, airy and shaded route, it offers a chance to enjoy a pleasant coolness in the heart of nature.

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.

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

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.

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.

A circular route starting from the Mordreuc slipway via La Chapelle and Le Moulin du Prat. This route is not difficult and follows the banks of the Rance to begin and end its loop via country paths. Along the route, you will discover two tide mills as well as some beautiful houses and manor houses.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A pleasant walk along the banks of the Rance and through the countryside. A circular route of around 11 km with the option to adjust the length.

This is a circular route that allows you, on the one hand, to walk along the banks of the Rance from the Pont Saint-Hubert to the Grève du Roué near Langrolay-sur-Rance and, on the other hand, to explore the hinterland and visit the charming hamlets. There are also sections through woodland.

A pleasant walk that takes you through the charming valley of the Ruisseau de Coëtquen, also known as the Val Hervelin – which is also the name of the village – on a return trip. The route is generally very pleasant and the path runs largely through woodland. It also offers the chance to discover a few old houses, particularly in St-Méleuc and La Forge. It takes you to a megalithic site in the Tougeais forest, north of the hamlet known as ‘Les Rouchiviers’. There are no significant difficulties, but the valley floor may be very wet during wet weather and the stream may even burst its banks.

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.

The upper reaches of the Frémur flow at the bottom of a lush green valley where, from a mere trickle, it transforms into a pretty river that feeds the Bois Joli dam, which serves as the water reservoir for the Dinard conurbation.The path descends to the valley floor, then climbs to form a balcony overlooking the valley, offering lovely views.The setting is peaceful, with its meadows, shaded paths and the golf course, just a few kilometres from Dinard.

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 Pleurtuit ponds, fed by the Frémur, are a delight for anglers and stretch out in deep meanders through peaceful countryside, just a few kilometres from the Dinard-Saint Malo conurbation. They provide the drinking water supply for the entire urban area thanks to the Bois Joli dam, which was filled in 1992 The path marked in yellow circles the area; it can be accessed from various starting points, including the hamlet of Les Rues.

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.

The first tidal mill on the Rance was built in 1181 (Moulin du Lupin near Rothéneuf). These mills flourished between the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, few of these renewable energy sources remain. This route allows you to see the remains of two mills (Fosse Mort and La Herviais) and to stroll through this estuary, which is 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.

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.

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

Just ten kilometres or so south of Saint-Malo, Saint-Suliac is a small village situated on the coast of the Rance estuary. It is a former fishing village. The route suggested here allows you to discover the rich variety of landscapes; it passes via Mont Garrot (or Gareau), which, at a height of 73 metres, offers a panoramic view of the Rance valley and the ‘Viking camp’. It runs alongside the river and passes through designated nature reserves. Along the route, you can admire two historic mills: a windmill overlooking the hill (which cannot be visited, as it stands on private land that is not accessible) and the old Boschet tide mill, built inthe 16th century and in operation until the 1940s. A local association has carried out its complete restoration.

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.

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.

This route takes you along the Floubalay Stream through the woodland. After passing through a few villages, you arrive at Baie de la Beaussais, with Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer and Île des Hébihens on the opposite bank. You will pass by Manoir de Bel-Être and Tour de Brenan. The second part of the walk takes you through the Ploubalay countryside before returning to the stream.

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.