France in a Ferrari: Loire Valley, Brittany

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Roscoff

We drove from Saint Malo to Roscoff along the coast, stopping for coffee a couple of times. A very pleasant, relaxing journey, especially given the chance to use my classic car on quiet roads. On arrival we walked over a strange foot bridge into the sea, about 500m long that just goes nowhere. One of the highlights of Roscoff, perhaps, but it is a wonderful place to enjoy French beer (Pelforth Brune is my favourite) at a cafe by the sea or to watch old men playing bowls. Very atmospheric and French.

Quimper

Quimper is a lovely city/town with wood-framed houses (14th Century perhaps?) Not much to do, but atmospheric and relaxing. The terrace bar near the cathedral is a splendid place to sit and watch the world go by.

Onzain

Hotel Chateau des Tertres, route de Monteaux, Onzain

Nice chateauy place - not too expensive (about $70 for the room) near a small village. It doesn't have a restaurant, but does have a bar and Onzain village is just a 1.5 mile walk away, where there is an excellent restaurant. Very good food. Real French, non-touristy stuff.

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Amboise

The town of Amboise has the excellent Royal Chateau, which is definitely worth stopping to visit.

Le Fleuray Hotel in Cangey near Amboise. Quite remote. Not as interesting as some "chateau" style hotels, in fact more of an old farm-house or large cottage. It was run by English people and has a nice atmosphere.

A nice place for a G&T in the garden, although rather a captive audience, as there are no other places to go to nearby.

Dinner: English-ish/French cuisine - good,but quite expensive: $160ish

Breakfast. $22 for coffee & bread!

Expensive, but very different to your average US/International style hotel

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Auxerre

Impressive Cathedral

Petit Manoir des Bruyéres Villefargo,Yonne.

Great atmosphere. Very different establishment with one huge room downstairs. Felt like house-guests rather than hotel guests.

Dinner was excellent. One dish served to all 7 guests at one large table.

Dinnard

We were going to go to Alencon as a suitable mid-way point, but decided to go all the way back to Brittany instead. Took motorway route via Paris. A long drive, but there's no point going somewhere for the night just because it's on the way Intended to go to Dinan, but the other half was map-reading, so we went to Dinnard! Oh well: a beach resort instead of a medieval town.

Crystal hotel on sea-front.

Beach-side bars. Actually not bad here, although I expect Dinan would be better. Easy mistake to make (if you can't read)

Excellent sea-food.

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This old port was heavily bombed during the war, but has been rebuilt exactly as it was. It retains its character and is a great place to stay for a couple of days. It also has a ferry terminal with ferries to England, making it an ideal starting point for a driving holiday in France.

Wonderful French seafood at Saint Malo. The "Plateau du Fruit du Mare" (i.e. Seafood Platter) is often enormous and quite expensive... That is a portion for one person (O.K. to an Englishman like me that looks pretty big)