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Thursday
July 06: MONT SAINT MICHEL BAY.
Minibus transfer from the station to the hotel: 45 mn.
Visit of the Mount Saint Michel.
After meeting at the Rennes train station,
we shuttle north to our first hotel. Visit of the Mont Saint Michel and the
Abbey. The « Wonder of the Western World » forms a tower in the
heart of an immense bay invaded by the highest tides in Europe. UNESCO has
classed the Mont Saint-Michel as a world heritage in 1984.
Welcome drink and overview of your stay. Dinner and overnight in our warm
and inviting hotel. (D)
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Friday july
7th : SAINT MALO~CANCALE.
Option 1 – Cancal~St Malo : 35 km (22 miles)
Option 2 – Cancal~St Malo~Gouesnière : 50 km (31miles)
After your leader fit you to your bike and conduct a
brief demonstration of bicycling techniques and safety, we will be ready to
set out on our first ride towards Cancale and Saint Malo. This wonderful route
is strewed with numerous amazing natural spots such as the « pointe
du Grouin » or the « Anse Du Guesclin » (the Duguesclin
Cove). Arrival at Saint Malo. Visit of the fortified city. As the way back
to the hotel is quite easy, we will have plenty of time to enjoy the beauty
of the site, stroll along the main street and have a really nice lunch on
your own in one of the many restaurant in town. Dinner and night at the hotel.
(B, D)
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Saturday
july 08th : TOUR VIEWING STAGE 7, TIME TRIAL IN RENNES.
Minibus transfer from the hotel to Rennes in the morning : 45 mn.
Minibus transfer from Rennes to our next hotel after the time trial : 90 mn.
For our first viewing day we will head towards Rennes where the individual
time trial takes place. A chance for us to see all the pros in action, visit
the TOUR village and fell the race unique atmosphere.
Take some time to explore town, historic capital of Brittany, city of Art
and History, which boasts wealth of architectural heritage and a charming
old city with half timbered houses. Relax over a grand crème at a café
in the town square.
We reconvene in the late afternoon for a shuttle to
Mur de Bretagne, in the centre of Brittany, ideally located for tomorow stage
viewing. (B, L, D)
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Sunday july
09th : TOUR VIEWING STAGE 8, St MEEN~LORIENT.
Option 1 – Mur de Bretagne~ Quenecan Forest~Saint Nicolas : 65 km (40
miles)
Option 2 – Mur de Bretagne~ Viewing spot : 35 km (22 miles)
.
After a copious breakfast , let's get on our bikes and head towards our viewing
spot on the stage 8 itinerary. Our morning trip will
take us throughout the Gorges of Daoulas, to visit Bon Repos Abbey and the
Salles Smithy. After the mythical "côte de Mur (hill of Mur)"
which has challenged cyclists of the 2004 Tour de France, we’ll start
an easier part of the trip , especially as we will have plenty of opportunities
to stop in order to fully enjoy the numerous architectural and natural sites
that will cross our way to the viewing spot. Pic nic lunch of local specialties.
Enjoy the carnival like atmosphere during the wait for the peloton. After
the show, we will ride along the river Blavet, strewed with chapels representing
the diversity of Breton religious architecture. Arrival at the hotel to see
the arrival on TV. Gastronomic dinner in the hotel restaurant.(B,
L, D)
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Monday july
10th : RIVER BLAVET VALLEY.
Option 1 – Saint Nicolas~Poul Fétan~Auray : 55 Km (34 miles)
Option 2 – Saint Nicolas~Poul Fétan~Hennebont: 25 km (15 miles)
We will continue our way towards the south coast and the Gulf of morbihan
following the Blavet. At the Poul Fétan village, 19th century country
life and traditions are celebrated. Lunch in the village. After that undulating
and winding morning, the afternoon roads you will be taking will be flatter
and more straight-forward towards the Atlantic coast. Diner in a restaurant
and night at the hotel. (B, L, D)
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Tuesday july
11th : MORBIHAN GULF.
Option 1 – Auray~Monks Isle~Saint Anne d'Auray : 55 Km (34miles)
Option 2 – Auray~Monks Isle : 35 km (22 miles)
After a delicious breakfast, we hop on our bike and make our way toward the
Morbihan Gulf and Port Blanc where we will take a boat to the "Île
aux Moines" (the monks Island). We will discover by bike the little picturesque
streets, forest, beach, moor and majestic views over the gulf. Lunch on your
own. On our way back to the hotel, you may choose to pedal to the basilica
of Saint Anne d'Auray or go straight back to the hotel to relax. Diner in
a restaurant and night at hte hotel. (B, D)
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Wednesday
july 12th : QUIBERON.
Option 1 – Quiberon coast: 20 Km (12 miles)
This morning you are more than welcome to sleep in and relax or, if you are
not quite ready to bid farewell to your bike, feel free to enjoy a short ride
to the beautiful wild coast of Quiberon. Tansfer to the Auray train station.
(B)
