We recently returned from spending 2 weeks in the Brittany region and Paris in April, 2024. This was our first time to Brittany but we have been to Paris a few times. Our itinerary:
3 nights in Rennes (day trip to Saint Malo)
3 nights in Dinan
3 nights in Vannes
4 nights in Paris
We flew out of the SeaTac Airport on a direct flight on Delta Airlines to Paris CDG.
It was a 9 1/2 hr direct flight and we arrived in the mid-afternoon. Took a taxi from CDG airport and was surprised there was no one in the taxi line. This doesn’t normally happen so we were lucky. The flat fee from CDG airport was $56 eu to the Right Bank hotels and $65 eu to the Left Bank hotels. We spent the first night at our hotel (next to Place des Vosges) in the Le Marais district.
Next day, we took a taxi to the Montparnasse train station to head for Rennes (Capitol of the Brittany region). What I didn't know is that when you ask your hotel to call a taxi it’s an additional $7eu fee to your fare as it's considered "advance booking”.
We loved the Brittany region as it uses French and Celtic languages and seems to be off the beaten track. The history and architecture is amazing here.
One sunny and warm day, we took a day trip from Rennes to Saint Malo, which was an 1 hour away by train. A lovely French woman (who lives now in US) explained why the train we were on, left without us including her. It appears we needed to be in the first class car in the front of the train not in the back. Somehow this train detaches itself and heads in different direction on the platform. The back of the train was going to a different location at a later time so we got off with others and we caught the next train to Saint Malo. We did see the notation that there was 2 trains leaving the platform on the departure board but we didn’t realize that the train we saw would detached itself and go different directions. Now we know. The amazing discovery while in Brittany was that it stays light till about 9:30pm in April. The weather was warm enough that some were swimming in the sea.
The next place was Dinan which was a quaint little town. The old town sits on top of a steep hill that leads you down to the Rance river. There are some hotels and restaurants along the river but I found staying in the old town to be more convenient to places. There is a lovely walk along the river to the next town to Lehon.
Our favorite old town was in Vannes. It has the most preserved walled fort from 13th-17th centuries. Our B&B was only 5 minutes from the walkway to the fortified bridge into the old town. It looks over the gardens and cobbled lanes through the half-timbered buildings that Brittany is known for. Lovely large Farmers Market here which I loved.
When I decided to go to France again last year I didn't realize that the Summer Olympics would be in Paris. They had already set up for fencing the main sites and construction was going on preparing for it. They are expecting 15 million visitors this summer. We did make it to most of the main sites for the Olympics as it will be fun to watch the Olympics this summer. The one intriguing event is the swimming which they plan to take place in the Seine River. They have banned swimming since 1924 in the Seine River so if the city pulls this off then we will be overwhelmed with joy. I'm sure the swimmers will be, too!
Due to the weather not being as nice as in Brittany, we took taxis in Paris to the furthest tourist sites each day. We have not done this on past trips but the fare wasn't that expensive. From our hotel to Trocadero Plaza: 21.50eu, Sacre Cour $15 eu and Arch de' Triophe $21.50. It shaved 1 - 1 1/2 hours from walking from each day of walking an average of 7 hours each day.
My first trip report on this forum and I didn't realize there is a limit on your trip report length. I will end here that we had another fantastic trip to France.