Saint-Malo & the Emerald Coast by bike
A long bike touring ride in Brittany starting from Saint-Malo
© EV4 Emmanuel Berthier
© EV4 Emmanuel Berthier
© CRT Bretagne
© CRT Bretagne
© EV4 Simon Bourcier
© Fabien Leduc - Abicyclette Voyages
© EV4 Emmanuel Berthier
© Emmanuel Berthier
© Emmanuel Berthier
© Emmanuel Berthier
©Abicyclette Voyages
©Abicyclette Voyages
©Abicyclette Voyages
©Abicyclette Voyages
Highlights
Saint-Malo: its ramparts, its port and its shipowners' houses
Dinan, medieval town on the banks of the Ille & Rance Canal
Erquy, a typical fishing port on the Breton coast
Cap Fréhel: a breathtaking natural site
Dinard, a luxurious seaside town with beautiful beaches
Cancale, its port and its oyster market
Travel by bike along the Emerald Coast, between Cap Fréhel and Cancale
A trip between land and sea discovering Brittany's beauty and identity
Saint-Malo is a traveler’s city. Its history and its heroes instill a taste for adventure and travel. Get on your bicycle and explore the Emerald Coast and Saint-Malo by bike.
6 stages for a large loop from Saint-Malo to Saint-Malo by bike to reach:
- Dinan, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Brittany in which to stroll by bike and on foot
- Jugon-les-Lacs: a small town full of character which offers a pleasant historic stopover.
- Lamballe, its collegiate church and its national stud farm that you can visit
- Erquy and its Cape. Enjoy a superb panorama over the English Channel from its pink cliffs. In the port, the fish auction awaits the early risers to experience the atmosphere of the return of the fishermen. In August, also experience an open-air Fest-Noz on the port (Breton music, dances and songs).
- Cap Fréhel: a protected natural site that you can reach by bike via one of the most beautiful coastal cycle paths in the whole region. Visit the lighthouse for a 360 ° panorama from the top of the stone colossus. If all the weather conditions are right, you might see the Jersey mirage looming on the horizon, the largest of the Channel Islands.
- Dinard, nicknamed the Nice of the North, is a very beautiful seaside town with its architecture and 19th century villas. The city gives you the opportunity for a good swim and an ice cream or a crêpe to reward the cycling effort.
To return to Saint-Malo by bike, the Compagnie Corsaire boat bus connecting Dinard to the city Intra-Muros is a pleasant moment to conclude this stage. Taking your bikes on board, 10 minutes are enough to cross the Rance, the river which flows into the Channel at the foot of the ramparts of Saint-Malo.
A final bike ride invites you to Cancale to taste the famous oysters, jewels of the Emerald Coast. They are served to you on the port by the oyster farmers gathered on the oyster market which is held daily from 9 am to 7 pm. Take with you the taste of the sea for an imperishable sensorial memory of your cycling holidays in Brittany.
Fit
From SAINT-MALO to DINAN
36km
496m
You leave Saint-Malo by the Dinan gate. Cycling along the Rance River you will reach the medieval city of Dinan in the middle of the afternoon. You enjoy a first halt in Saint-Suliac, one the most beautiful village in France.
From DINAN to LAMBALLE
59km
399m
You cycle on small roads through charming villages and the Breton countryside. Jugon-les-Lacs offers a pleasant stopover with its traditional granite-built houses. In Lamballe you can visit the 14th century church of Notre Dame de Lamballe and for horse lovers, the National Stud.
From LAMBALLE to ERQUY
38km
291m
You are back along the coast, the Emerald Coast, and won’t leave it for the rest of the trip. As the name suggests, it is its true color. The site will blow you away when you view the vertiginous cliffs of Cap d’Erquy. On the port, feast with sailors. But don’t go to bed too late if you want to enjoy a visit of the fish market at dawn.
From ERQUY to SAINT-CAST-LE-GUILDO
39km
615m
A path marked “Tour de Manche”, leads you by pathways and bike paths to Cape Fréhel. On the cliffs, 70m above the sea, you witness the unreeling of a grandiose landscape. The area leading to the Cap Fréhel lighthouse is protected. It’s made up of heather moors, gorse, broom and ferns, all contributing to a beautiful mix of colors. After the lighthouse you visit the fort of La Latte built on the coast overlooking the sea. The fort is a filming location for several famous films because its exceptional location is as interesting as its state of conservation and renovation. You go around the beautiful bay of Fresnaye where you can meet some oyster farmers at work. The arrival in Saint-Cast allows you to enjoy a beautiful beach for swimming. The family resort is lively all summer!
From SAINT-CAST-LE-GUILDO to SAINT-MALO
41km
486m
You ride along the coast on your bike. The spikes and bays are numerous and lengthen the stages for your eyes’ pleasure, which can see an infinite variety of landscapes and colors. After a visit to Dinard you embark on the water bus with your bikes. You reach Saint-Malo.
FROM SAINT-MALO, CANCALE LOOP
42km
173m
The corsair city and its ramparts open its doors. You discover the Emerald Coast and this varied city, from the beautiful Sillon beach to the mythical “intra-muros” city. A loop to Cancale will allow gourmets to taste its famous oysters!
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 915€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1085€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 6 nights in a Double room
- 6 breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The trip itineraries available on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
- Day 6 : Sea crossing - DINARD - SAINT-MALO
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Trekking bikeA layed out and dynamic position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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Touring bikeAn upright and easy going position Mixed aluminum frame, telescopic fork. Straight handlebars. Disc brakes. Transmission Shimano 24 to 30 speeds. Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeWith an autonomy of almost 120km, cycling has never been so easy! Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeRecommended bike size (to be confirmed when booking) :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Bike trailerThule Chariot Cross 2 Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : SAINT-MALO
Coming by car
- at 4h15 from PARIS
- at 5h15 from BORDEAUX
- at 7h from LYON
Parking*
- Parking Saint-Malo Remparts 1 P8 – SAINT-MALO
- Parking du Naye – SAINT-MALO
- Parking Saint-Malo Quai Saint-Vincent – SAINT-MALO
- Parking Saint-Malo Feval – SAINT-MALO
Coming by train
- Saint-Malo train station - 2h30 from Paris
- Rennes train station - 1h45 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Rennes Airport
- Saint-Malo Dinard airport
Arrival city : SAINT-MALO
Coming by car
- at 4h15 from PARIS
- at 5h15 from BORDEAUX
- at 7h from LYON
Coming by train
- Saint-Malo train station - 2h30 from Paris
- Rennes train station - 1h45 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Rennes Airport
- Saint-Malo Dinard airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Duration 7 days and 6 nights
Level
Fit
Departure date From April 1st to October 31st
Destination Brittany
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
SAINT-MALO
Welcome to Saint-Malo. After the orientation with our guide, enjoy the city in evening.
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.