Brittany, France Itinerary 2025

Music , Art , Wine & Culture
September 3-17, 2025

Paris • Rennes • Quimper • Vannes • Amboise • Mont Saint Michel

Wednesday - 9/4 PARIS  

Our tour begins with an intimate dinner cruise down the Seine in Paris. While sipping champagne and savoring delicious French cuisine, we glide past Notre Dame Cathedral, the Golden Arches of Pont Alexandre and finally the unmistakeable Eiffel Tower sparkling at night. (Hotel not included.)

Thursday 9/4 - PARIS • CHARTRES • RENNES 

Meet in the artistic neighborhood of Saint Germain de Pres to begin our trip to Brittany! 

Lunch is in the medieval town of Chartres, known for the magnificent Chartres Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture famed for its soaring spires.

Rennes, the vibrant, capitol of Brittany! Check into our 5-star boutique hotel, The Balthazar. Dinner tonight is with Brittany’s premier musician & historian, Ronan Pellen, who will give us an overview of  Breton music and culture to set the stage for everything we’re about to experience!

Friday 9/5 - RENNES  

Morning in the green countryside for a tour of family owned Coat-Albret Ciderie, which uses traditional methods for making Brittany’s favorite drink. Fireside lunch is at the rustic, yet refined, forest restaurant Les Forges de Paimpont .

This afternoon we have private Breton dance lessons so we’re ready for tomorrow’s traditional “Fest Noz” concert & dance! We’ll also learn to make Brittany’s famous crepes. Yum!

Saturday 9/6 - RENNES • FEST NOZ 

A day to explore Rennes! Wander through the Old Town’s cobblestoned streets lined with half timbered houses painted bright colors. Today is the Saturday Marches des Lices, one of Frances largest markets, a true sensory feast!

Tonight enjoy a very special Fest Noz with two of the best bands in Brittany including masters of Breton music, Hamon Martin Quintet.

Sunday 9/7 - MONT SAINT MICHEL

Rare overnight stay on the stunning fairytale island of Mont Saint Michel! As the sun goes down and visitors leave, we enjoy the mystique of the Mont concluding with a private magical concert in the chapel.

Monday 9/8 - MONT SAINT MICHEL BAY • CHATEAU LE BROSSAY 

After a warm breakfast join our expert local guide for a serene walk on the magnificent bay surrounding Mont Saint Michel. This is special opportunity to experience the legendary tides, some of the most dramatic in the world!

Driving through the Breton countryside we arrive at the Neo classical Chateau Le Brossay, our private home for the next two nights. Classified as an historical monument, Le Brossay is owned by the same family famous for their prestigious Tattinger Champagne. We’ll enjoy BBQ dinner overlooking the estate as we settle in to our own castle!

TUESDAY 9/9 - CHATEAU LE BROSSAY

A perfect day for R&R! Set in the heart of an extensive park with paths, lake, a forest border and swimming pool, Chateau Le Brossay is ideal for walking , swimming or just relaxing. You’ll have the option for yoga, massage or biking to the local village for a picnic on the river.

This evening savor a candlelit French dinner featuring local produce accompanied by Tattinger Champagne served in the Chateau’s ornate dining room.

WEDNESDAY 9/10 - VANNES

This morning we visit Brittany’s most famous bagpipe and bombarde makers at their traditional factory, Atelier Tudual Hervieux.

Afterwards travel to Brittany’s west coast to Guerande, home of the world’s finest salt. These protected salt marshes have been used to produce salt for hundreds of years and still use old style methods in the farming of this precious ingredient. We’ll have a special tour to see firsthand how this is done.

We end our day in the charming walled city of Vannes, known for its medieval ramparts, cobbled streets, and flower filled gardens.

Thursday 9/11 - VANNES • CARNAC

A visit to magnificent Carnac is an awe inspiring site of more than 10,000  standing stones dating back 7,000 years. These stunning ancient megalithic menhirs were erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany and are a truly captivating sight.

We head to the Gulf of Morbihan to visit a local oyster farm for a lush lunch perched right on right on the bay. The salty Atlantic waters and mineral rich bay give Morbihan oysters a complex taste prized by gourmets across France.

Friday 9/12 - QUIMPER • SIZUN

Head northwest to  the lovely town of Quimper with it’s rich Celtic heritage. Quimper is renowned for Faience Pottery, beautifully hand-painted ceramics that have been made here since the 17th Century.

Tonight we’re invited to a “Cochon Grille” & Fest Noz at a beautiful mountain home in rural Sizun. We meet traditional Breton musicians of this region who have been playing informally together for decades. We’ll eat, sing, dance and mingle with local Bretons who are opening their home and hearts to us.

Saturday 9/13 - QUIMPER • POINTE DE LA TORCHE

Visit the thatched home of last night’s host, Lillian, for a seaside walk on this on wild and breathtakingly beautiful coast. Feast on Moules Frites at Pointe de la Torche with its expansive, windswept sand dunes.

Tonight is an informal concert at the Ceili, Brittany’s most famous pub.

Sunday 9/14

We’re invited to the Breton cottage of Fairport Convention’s most congenial host, bassist Dave Pegg. An extremely fun afternoon of food and music!

Time to get spoiled! Chateau Locguenole is an enchanting 19th century estate nestled on the banks of the Blavet River. Enjoy views of the river, stroll through expansive gardens or indulge in the Chateau’s spa. Tonight’s private dinner at their Michelin starred restaurant is a fantastic culinary experience celebrating the art of French gastronomy with a touch of Brittany’s coastal soul.

Monday 9/15 - LOIRE VALLEY • AMBOISE • CHATEAU NOIZAY

Picturesque drive through the Loire valley with its gentle hills, lush vineyards and centuries old villages dotting the countryside. Visit Chateau De Chenonceau, known as the “Ladies Chateau.” Its grand hallways, flower filled gardens and riverside views makes this one of the most enchanting chateaux in France.

Our home for the next two nights is Chateau de Noizay outside the Renaissance town of Amboise, the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Amboise has a royal history and imposing chateau overlooking Loire River with winding cobbled streets and charming cafes.

Tuesday 9/16 - MONTDOMAINE • CHATEAU NOIZAY

Our last day we’re welcomed to the Montdomaine Winery, a family owned organic vineyard with sweeping views over rolling hills. Explore the earthy cellars where the wines are aged and learn about the winemaking process, guided by vintners who know each vine by heart. Surrounded by vineyards, our lunch of creamy cheeses and vibrant salads is paired with Montdomain’s signature wines while enjoying traditional music.

Our final evening in France is an elegant dinner at Chateau Noizay.

Wednesday 9/17 - CHATEAU NOIZAY

Tour ends after breakfast.

Chateau Noizay is only 20 minutes from Tours which has high speed trains direct to Paris or Charles de Gaulle airport as well as regional trains to further explore the Loire region.

Hope you can join me in Brittany!