Europe Up Close

Dinan, France: A Brittany Must-See

Published/Revised September 26, 2018 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Brittany, located in northwestern France, stole my heart a decade ago and I’m still returning to discover more of its coastline and countryside. Visitors tend to start and stop with St-Malo, which admittedly is a must-see, but there is more to explore and enjoy: Dinan, for instance. “I’d like to cruise up the River Rance,” I tell my husband after a long day in St-Malo. “I think there’s a boat ... Read Full Article

Saint Malo, France: Then and Now

Published/Revised September 26, 2018 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Saint Malo - Venture through History in Brittany I glimpse Saint Malo from the sea just as her intrepid seafarers did over the past five hundred years. The old town is encircled by medieval ramparts and towers, behind which rise stately granite mansions built in the 17th century and the cathedral’s graceful spire. It’s hard to believe this jewel located on the English Channel in northeast ... Read Full Article

Quaint Quimper, France

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

  I had the good fortune of visiting Quimper, France when I was living in Rennes. Quimper is located in north western France in the Finistère region (the western part of Bretagne). The name Quimper comes from the Breton word “kemper” meaning “confluence”; a fitting name for a city in which three rivers (the Odet, Jet and Steir) meet. Quimper is known for its lovely faïence ... Read Full Article

Vive la Bretagne! Living in Rennes, France

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

While pursuing my studies of French in my early twenties, one of the degrees I completed was a Diplôme de 2ième Degré (the equivalent of an associate’s degree) in French Studies from Université de Rennes 2. The city of Rennes has two main universities; Université de Rennes 1 offers courses in science, technology, medicine, philosophy, law, management and economics and Université de Rennes 2, is ... Read Full Article

The Northwest Area of France

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Rich with history, the Northwest Region of France's unique culture and landscape bear the markings of centuries of struggles, triumphs, and glories. Rolling hillsides are accentuated by flowing rivers and rocky cliffs. Towering cathedrals and elegant chateaux are this region's jewels of the past. This region holds the smaller regions of Brittany (Bretagne), Normandy and the Loire, which includes ... Read Full Article