I will be returning to England, in late August/September to visit family in the UK - I usually try to combine this with a trip to continental Europe with my US friends (retired school teachers). I had initially planned to visit Bruges. Taking the Eurostar from London, spending a few days, and returning to the UK. But, my travel friends want to visit Guernsey. (I have been before and loved it). Now I am wondering if I should perhaps shelve Bruges for another time, and go to Rennes in Britany then on to St. Malo and take the ferry to Guernsey instead of flying back through the UK. Hence why I am posting in the France Forum. I don't think we would rent a car, but it may be an option. I would love to see Mount Saint Michel. I am wondering about public transportation in this area. Any suggestions would be welcomed and are Rennes and St. Malo worth a visit?
Posted by
USA
386 posts
public transit is available but not very necessarily for a tourist. The bus system is largely geared to students and workers so outside of the times when they are going to and fro service may be infrequent. It is also going to be affected by holidays and weekends. This area is best visited with a car.
Rennes is one of our favorite cities! It has a nice pedestrian-only downtown and Thabor park is beautiful. St. Malo is nice although a bit Disney-like. We enjoyed walking around Dinard (across the river) as well and admiring the Belle Époque mansions. For MSM do what Rick suggests and arrive in the late afternoon when the bulk of day-trippers are leaving. Stay the nite (we liked staying just across the bridge off the island), see it lit up at nite, leave the next morning. There is a ton to see/do in the area. The green Michelin guide is a great resource.
Posted by
Guernsey
734 posts
Definately, it is a lovely and relaxing boat trip from St Malo to Gsy, did it last Wednesday. StMalo can be a bit touristy but it is pretty. We just spent 4days in Saint Servan just next door and had a lovely time walking, swimming in the sea, eating lovely food and just relaxing. Heaven!
Posted by
OP
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
997 posts
Caro,
How long is the journey from St. Malo - does it go to Jersey and then onto Guersney?
Posted by
Guernsey
734 posts
We left at 8am and got in at 10am via Jersey. Because of Brexit 😖, we had to get off the boat in Jersey to go through passport control then back on. But pretty sure there are some non stops as well. This year there have been boats to Cherbourg as well but think that has stopped now.
Posted by
Washington DC
27215 posts
My usual warning when this topic comes up: Keep in mind that those ferries do sometimes get canceled. I've been booked on five of them over the span of decades. Two were canceled. The most recent cancellation extended for three days. And my trips have not been in the off-season; they all fell between May and September.