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stcast-cottage.co.uk

For much of the year St Cast is a quiet, attractive fishing port with a population of only 5,000. This increases to 25,000 during July and August. The Grande Plage provides perfect conditions for sea-bathing, sailing and windsurfing. There are seven beaches, all within walking distance of the cottage, and numerous delightful cliff-top walks.
The historic towns of St Malo and Dinan can be reached in about 30 minutes by car as well as several chateaux, Cap Frehel and Fort La Latte. There is an excellent golf course, two tennis clubs, riding and sailing clubs, sailing courses for children, boats for hire, beach clubs for children, a cinema, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor pool, a casino and more than 25 excellent restaurants and cafes.
More information about St Cast can be found at their Tourist Information Website.
Below, we give some ideas for walks and visits around the area. You may wish to print this section before your visit. A copy is also normally available at the cottage.

Suggestions for Walks and Visits

 1. Walk from house to Fresnaye beach, follow cliff-top walk (Chemin des Douaniers) up through trees, keeping close to the sea when given a choice of path, climb up to the headland Point du Châtelet (superb view especially at high tide) and follow round to the Pissotte beach (steps down to beach), continue home on road past campsite and Moulin de Bily (30-60mins). Particularly pleasant in evening sun.

 2. Walk from house to Pissotte and continue walk NE along the Chemin des Douaniers around the coast. Unfortunately, at one point you will be obliged to leave the coast owing to private property but will rejoin the sea at la Plage de la Mare beside the campsite. Continue the walk as far as the Sémaphore and round to the Port and home (1½-2 hours).

 3. Best at high tide and in evening sun. Turn left at Fresnaye beach and follow the chemin des douaniers as far as St Germain. Return by road or double back the way you came.

 4. Highly recommended: After a careful study of the tide chart, drive to St Jacut de la Mer. Park as near to the point as possible. According to season, either take wellies, go bare-footed or take a bag to carry your shoes.Walk across to the Iles des Ebihens. Excellent beaches and worth taking a picnic but do watch the clock!! The island is privately owned above high tide level but no one seems to mind you walking on the paths. A truly magical and enchanting place. Walk to the far end of the island past the tower. You should be safe for up to two hours either side of low tide so aim to arrive in St Jacut two hours before the official time for low tide so as not to panic on the way back!

 5. Visit the beach of Quatre Vaux at high tide especially in the evening. Take the coast road via Pen Guen. Continue straight on at the water tower and turn left at the stone cross to Sainte Brigitte.

 6. Similarly, at high tide, the views from La Garde and also from Pointe du Baie are beautiful. Accessible by car. The second can provide a good spot for a picnic.

 7. At high tide and especially with rough seas walk out on the rocks beyond the Sémaphore (Pointe de l'Isle).

8. Fort la Latte. Walk about 500m to the fortress from the carpark. About 15F entry to Fort. You can continue the walk as far as Cap Fréhel (approx 80mins or 3 hours return). This is probably the most majestic and impressive walk anywhere on the north coast of Brittany.

 9. The same walk as 8 above can be extended by beginning at St Géran (walk begins just above the car park on left) in the Fresnaye Bay (2¼ hours) - best organised with two cars, leaving one at Cap Fréhel. Alternatively, leave the car at St Géran to walk to Fort La Latte and back.

 10. Cap Fréhel. Jersey (40 miles) is just visible on a fine day with binoculars. A wonderful place for ornithologists (cormorants and puffins). Worth continuing the journey south-west by car along the coast - some excellent beaches with big waves.

 11. St Malo. Walk the whole of the ramparts (40 – 60 mins). Enjoy the street entertainers, particularly on a Saturday evening. You may need to book a restaurant to eat unless you eat early.

 12. Dinan. Mediaeval town well worth a visit. Make sure you walk down Rue de Jerzoal - steep, cobbled hill, flanked by 14th-16th century houses, descending about 1000m to the river. Some good restaurants.

 13.Dinard. Try the walk around the headland from the Rance estuary to the main beach. Some excellent shops and good restaurants in a traditional, up-market resort developed at the turn-of-the-century by the English.

14. Bar at Camping le Châtelet (Pissotte) can be quite pleasant with superb view at sunset and a place where teenagers can meet others - mainly English, Dutch and German - very few French. Let the children use the pool while you have a drink although it is officially reserved for campers only. No one has complained yet!

 15. Boat trip up the Rance to Dinan from the Barrage de la Rance (tidal power station).