Explore Brittany by Train from Saint-Malo with BreizhGo
What if your stay in Saint-Malo became the starting point of a journey through the most authentic Brittany? From Saint-Malo station, the regional trains of the BreizhGo network make it easy to reach small character towns, preserved villages, and lesser-known landscapes.
Staying at Château du Colombier, a four-star hotel in Saint-Malo, allows you to combine the charm of a historic residence with the pleasure of exploring the region, while favoring a more peaceful and environmentally friendly way of traveling.
Explore Brittany differently from Saint-Malo
The regional train offers a great alternative to the car for discovering Brittany. From Saint-Malo, the TER BreizhGo lines serve Dol-de-Bretagne, Combourg, and Rennes. A connection at Dol also allows access to Dinan and several villages in the Rance Valley.
The journey begins as soon as the train leaves Saint-Malo. Marshes, meadows, hedgerows, and granite steeples pass by outside the windows. Each stop becomes an invitation to step off the traditional tourist routes.
Dol-de-Bretagne, a medieval city to discover
Just a few minutes by train from Saint-Malo, Dol-de-Bretagne is an ideal excursion. This Petite Cité de Caractère boasts a remarkable medieval heritage dominated by the Saint-Samson Cathedral.
The Grande Rue des Stuarts reveals half-timbered houses, ancient residences, and charming little courtyards. From Dol, the more curious can also reach Mont-Dol, a natural promontory offering a magnificent panorama over the marshes and the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Combourg, the cradle of Breton romanticism
Quickly accessible from Saint-Malo, Combourg remains closely linked to François-René de Chateaubriand. The writer spent part of his childhood in the medieval castle that still dominates the city and the Tranquil Lake today.
A walk in the historic center, around the lake, and near the castle lets visitors reconnect with the romantic and slightly mysterious atmosphere that inspired the Mémoires d’outre-tombe.
La Fresnais and the marsh landscapes of Dol
Between Saint-Malo and Dol-de-Bretagne, La Fresnais offers a more secluded stop. The village is located in the heart of the Dol marshes, amidst a landscape of wet meadows, canals, and vast horizons.
This destination will particularly suit fans of walking, cycling, and photography. It perfectly illustrates the interest of traveling by TER BreizhGo: stepping off at a small station and discovering a Brittany that might otherwise be passed by without a glance.
The hidden villages of the Rance Valley
From Dol-de-Bretagne, a connection allows travelers to continue to Plerguer, Miniac-Morvan, Pleudihen-sur-Rance, and La Hisse. These discreet stops provide access to a rural Brittany composed of granite houses, sunken lanes, and small hamlets.
Pleudihen-sur-Rance is particularly renowned for its orchards, cider, and landscapes overlooking the estuary. The La Hisse stop, on the other hand, allows access to the paths along the Rance, between wooded valleys, small ports, and old towpaths.
To explore these villages around Saint-Malo, the train can be pleasantly combined with walking or cycling. The few kilometers sometimes separating the station from the town center then become a genuine stroll in the Breton countryside.
Dinan, a major medieval stop
After a connection at Dol-de-Bretagne, the train leads to Dinan, one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Brittany.
Its ramparts, castle, half-timbered houses, and the famous Jerzual Street form an exceptional setting. By descending to the port, it is possible to extend the walk along the Rance towards Léhon, known for its Abbey of Saint-Magloire, old bridge, and castle ruins.
Continue to Plancoët, Corseul, and Lamballe
Travelers wishing to go further can continue from Dinan to Plancoët, Corseul-Languenan, or Lamballe, depending on schedules and connections.
Plancoët charms with its peaceful quays along the Arguenon. Corseul surprises with its significant Gallo-Roman heritage, notably the Temple of Mars and the remains of the former capital of the Coriosolites. Finally, Lamballe unveils a beautiful historic center, half-timbered houses, and a heritage linked to the equestrian world.
These stops allow the discovery of the Côtes-d'Armor in a different way, away from the most frequented itineraries.
A car-free stay at Château du Colombier
Traveling by train from Saint-Malo avoids the constraints of traffic and parking, while fully enjoying the landscapes. Before each excursion, it is advisable to check the schedules, especially for small stations and connections.
After a day spent exploring Breton villages, medieval cities, and preserved valleys, Château du Colombier offers a return to tranquility that is particularly appreciated.
This elegant 18th-century malouinière, transformed into a four-star hotel-restaurant, nestles in the heart of a six-hectare park. Its rooms and suites, historic lounges, pond, and Breton-inspired dining table make it an ideal refuge for a charming stay near Saint-Malo.
Choosing Château du Colombier is thus to offer oneself much more than a night in a four-star hotel. It grants a privileged starting point to discover, thanks to the BreizhGo network, a secret Brittany made of small stations, preserved villages, and patrimonial treasures.
