The Château de Vitré was not built by chance! Indeed, the city enjoys a strategic location at the gates of Brittany. During your Vitrean stay, many Breton gems are available to discover. We have selected for you picturesque cities and unmissable monuments to explore around Vitré.
CHÂTEAUGIRON, between history and nature (26km from Vitré)
![Château des Pères]()
Chateaugiron © Castle of the Fathers ![Châteaugirp,]()
Chateaugiron © BrunoAstorg
Small Town of Character, Châteaugiron has a human scale city center where it is good to stroll between colorful facades, independent shops and gourmet stalls. It is overlooked by a medieval castle built in the XNUMXth century, whose chapel houses a contemporary art center, The 3 CHA. The Châteaugiron pond and the La Glaume natural area offer lovely walks.
The Castle of the Fathers, near Châteaugiron, is a must. Dating from 18e century, you can discover in its large wooded park (31 ha), around forty contemporary monumental sculptures which embody the new spirit of the place, converted to art, to the work of the material and to the transmission of know-how. Access is free. Art, too.
FOUGÈRES, the largest fortified castle in Europe (28km from Vitré)
This City of Art and History can boast of having the largest fortified castle in Europe! Climb on the ramparts of the castle or in the garden of the Upper Town to appreciate the most beautiful points of view on the roofs of the city. Among the most famous admirers of Fougères, we can name Victor Hugo, who was also inspired by the city garden in his work "Les Chouans".
Near :the Upper Brittany Botanical Parkat Le Châtellier, one of the most beautiful landscaped parks in France, and the Rocher-Portail Castlein Maen Roch, nicknamed the French Downtown Abbey.
PAYS DE LA ROCHE-AUX-FÉES, mysteries and legends (30km from Vitré)
In Essé, marvel at the largest Dolmen in France. This impressive megalithic monumentconsists of XNUMX blocks, a covered driveway and XNUMX bedrooms. The mystery of its construction remains intact ... A legend tells that lovers who wish to know the solidity of their union must each go around the Dolmen in a different direction and count the stones ... If they find the same number, their happiness is certain.
RENNES, capital of Brittany (40 km from Vitré)
![Rennes]()
© CRT-Cocherie ![]()
Streets of Rennes © CRT-Noe.C ![Parc du Thabor Rennes]()
Thabor Park Rennes © CRT-Noe.C
Student city boosted by a rich cultural programming and an almost infinite number of good addresses, Rennes is a Exciting City of Art and History. Among the must-sees of the Breton capital, the Palais of the Parliament of Brittany, emblematic monument built in the XNUMXth century, the Place Saint-Anne with its half-timbered houses and the Thabor park, green lung of the city mixing English park, French garden, rose garden, aviary and bandstand.
Every Saturday morning, meet at the second largest food market in France, the Lices market, to taste the essential sausage pancake.
BAZOUGES-LA-PÉROUSE, city of poets and plastic artists (50km from Vitré)
Picturesque Small Town of Character, Bazouges-la-Pérouse breathes art in all its forms. Take the time to stroll through galleries, artist studios and outdoor exhibitions, enjoy the half-timbered houses and escape to the Parc de Bellevue.
On the heights of the city, do not miss the curious Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul church. They were originally two churches, now united by their six naves.
![Chateau de la Ballue]()
Ballue Castle © Sourcier ![Bazouges la Pérouse]()
Bazouges la Pérouse © Noé.C
Near : The Ballue Castle(XNUMXth century) and its remarkable gardens, and the Forest of Villecartier, ancient royal forest of XNUMX hectares where you will find a tree-top adventure course, miniature port and hiking trails.
