Around the Area
The gite is just 3km from the pretty village of Gouarec, where the river Blavet meets the Nantes-Brest Canal.
The village has all amenities, a supermarket, bank, post office, and restaurants. The canal towpath is ideal for walking and cycling, winter and summer.
Close by is the Abbey of Bon Repos situated on the side of the canal; this picturesque, historic Cistercian monastery is a delightful picnic spot and on Sunday mornings has a small produce and craft market. Each summer the Abbey hosts the largest Son et Lumiere in the area., which is not to be missed.
Five minutes by car is the beautiful Lac de Guerledan, with safe swimming beachs, boats, play areas for the children and restaurants. A walking path now circumnavigates the lake, parts of which are suitable for the disabled.
At one end of the lake lays the town of Mur de Bretagne, with it's lively Friday evening market during July and August, where you can indulge your taste buds or just sit and watch the Breton dancing.
Locally, there is the opportunity to go horse-riding, fishing, canoeing, water-skiing, walking, cycling or just relaxing, people watching and enjoying the tranquil, beautiful scenery. What ever you wish to do, you will find it here in Central Brittany.
Travelling with your dog
Since the introduction of the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) it has been so much easier to travel with your pets, but please note that if you are travelling from the UK this scheme will end on 31 December 2020, you will then need additional documentation, which can take up to 4 months. Please check with the DEFRA PETS website for more information.
We are very happy to have your dog accompany you on holiday, but do have strict conditions. The cottage is presented in an immaculately clean condition, so it is important that you ensure that your pet is not allowed on any furniture, is never left in the property on its own, and the garden is kept clean and undamaged.
However, in our experience the majority of pet owners are very conscientious people who wouldn't bring their dogs unless they were well behaved and therefore they are very welcome in our cottage.
We recommend that you bring plenty of your pet's bedding and towels with you, feeding, water bowls and poop bags.
We can arrange an appointment with our local vet before you travel home
The whole of the area around the Lac du Guerledan and the River Blavet is a treasure trove of discovery for the walker or cyclist.
The Blavet area is suitable for all types of walkers. There are easy level walks along the towpath or more demanding hikes in the hills that surround the lake. Many walks are circular and paths are well signposted. A short walk from the house will take you past some spectacular dolmen, the area is also rich in fauna and flora and often deer, otters, heron and kingfishers can be spotted.
The Velodyssey Cycle Route covers more than 1,200 kilometres from Brittany down the Atlantic coast to the border with Spain. In Côtes d’Armor it makes its way alongside the Nantes to Brest canal and down the former tracks of what used be the “little train” (see map). The Glomel Cut and the Coat-Natous double lock are particularly memorable sights. We can provide a sheet of suggestions ranging from an easy 10kms wobble to a more energetic 40kms. Where you have to use the road, as in most areas of France, rural roads are usually very quiet. Adult and child's bikes can be hired locally by the day or half day, including trailers for very young children or, of course, bring your own.
For more information on walking in the areas please check out Brittany Walks, and we would also like to recommend 'Central Brittany: Coast to Coast', by Penny Allen. As well as places to discover it has 12 full walks with maps and directions.