Explore the local area
La Belle Vilaine is ideally situated for those looking for the best of both worlds.
Whatever your tastes or interests the south Brittany and Loire Atlantique regions have so much to offer that you will easily find enough to fill your days during your holiday!
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Your holiday cottage (or gîte) is set in a peaceful, friendly hamlet with panoramic countryside views, amazing wildlife (swallowtail butterflies and Black Kites fly over the cottages' gardens during the spring and summer, there are Golden Orioles and White Stork nesting close-by and the neighbouring woods are host to red squirrels, pine martens and impressively-large Black woodpeckers) and within easy walking distance of the beautiful River Vilaine ( fishing permits available locally). We provide a map of walks along our quiet lanes, through woodland and farmland and down to the river.
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Yet only a 5-minute drive will bring you to St. Dolay with bakers, butchers, chemist, post office, bars and restaurants. A 5-min drive in the other direction brings you to Nivillac with a post office, bars, tabac, boulangerie and a mini-supermarket (with butcher's counter). At just 10 minutes drive is the picturesque, medieval town of La Roche-Bernard , with its cobbled streets, riverside eateries, boat hire, river cruises, swimming pool, large Thursday market, supermarkets and all necessary facilities. Closer to home is the local bar at St. Cry (no food) - a 25 minute walk away from your gite, run by friendly, French owners and offering a free games corner (pool, bar-football, darts and video game) and, like La Belle Vilaine, children- and dog-friendly. For beach-lovers the long, sandy beach of La Mine D'Or, Pénestin is just 30 mins drive away – take a picnic and use the on-beach facilities, or eat out in the nearby restaurants. A choice of dog-friendly beaches just 20 minutes drive - details and directions provided.
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A 40-minute drive takes you to the wonderful medieval city of Vannes and the Golfe de Morbihan with its islands and nature reserves.
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Closer to home you will find La Grande Brière – just into the Loire Atlantique region - a miniature version of the Norfolk Broads. Take a guided tour in a punt, or on a horse-drawn cart, or hire a rowing boat (dogs permitted) and strike out on your own to discover the amazing wealth of wildlife on offer! Alternatively, follow the well-marked walks which take you through the heart of the marshlands. Pic-nic outdoors or indoors whilst watching the wildlife. Don't forget the binoculars!
For those sporting golfers , a stunningly-situated golf course set in the grounds of a lake-side château is only a short drive from La Belle Vilaine - Gites South Brittany.