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Brittany is the perfect destination for a cycling trip in France as it combines picturesque villages and towns with stunning beaches and beautiful scenery. Exploring on an independent hotel-to-hotel break will allow you to see more of the region. The Emerald Coast in Brittany is a delight to discover on two wheels, with plenty of opportunities to hit the beach, as well as rest days that allow you to look around some of the area's prettiest towns and villages. Following a route that takes in destinations such as Sables d'Or-Les-Pins, Dinard and Dinan will give you a taste of the best Brittany has to offer. You will actually set off from - and return to - Lamballe, an inland town from where you can easily reach Sables d'Or-Les-Pins or Dinan within a day. Your route will take you first to the coast and Sables d'Or-Les-Pins, a lovely town right on the seashore. You'll have a free day here after your first day of cycling, during which you can take the opportunity to lounge on one of Brittany's stunning sandy beaches, or hop back on your bike and discover some of the nearby attractions. It is well worth cycling to Cap Frehal, with the peninsula offering views across rugged cliffs and heather-covered moorland as you pedal. At Cap Frehal you'll find two lighthouses, one of which is no longer in use. The taller of the two still works and has a beam that can be seen some 110 km offshore. Nearby is Fort La Latte, which you will no doubt be keen to explore once you see its turrets and crenellated walls jutting out from the edge of the cliff around 60 m above the sea below. What makes Fort La Latte all the more appealing is that you have to cross a drawbridge to enter the complex - something kids will love if this is a family holiday. After walking along the battlements of this amazing fort you can hop back on your bike and return to Sables d'Or-Les-Pins for a relaxing evening. The next morning, you will set off for another coastal town - Dinard. This became a popular resort among British travellers in the 19th century and many of its beachside villas bear the hallmarks of this period with their Belle Epoque style. There are actually over 400 listed buildings in the town, many of which date from this era. If you want to stretch out on the sand, though, this is one of the best places in which to do so. There are several beaches around Dinard, including Place de l'Ecluse, where you will see rows of stripy tents lined up along the shore. The final stop is Dinan, further inland, before you return to Lamballe. The route from Dinard to Dinan is particularly picturesque, as you'll follow the course of the River Rance to reach this river port. Its waterfront is the ideal place to relax in the evening, with many of its old stone buildings now home to fantastic restaurants. Often described as one of Brittany's prettiest towns, Dinan is a delight to explore, boasting cobbled streets lined by half-timbered houses. The old town is worth visiting if you want to see this type of architecture, while you should head to Rue du Petit-Fort if you want to pick up some souvenirs, as this street is home to many arts and crafts stores. If you are looking for the ideal place to go cycling in France, you can't beat Brittany's Emerald Coast. Choose an itinerary from Headwater and you'll be able to explore some of the region's most picturesque towns, villages and stretches of coastline.
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