The Cider Route :
LE CIDRE EN BRETAGNE
Made in Brittany since the 13th th century, cider is now an integral part of the culture and collective memory of the Breton people. Each area or "terroir" is associated with a particular variety of apple and, therefore, a typical kind of cider. Great vintages such as AOC Cornouaille and Royal Guillevic Label Rouge are the drinks of real connoisseurs… In the last century, Brittany alone produced three times more cider than all the other regions put together! In the middle of the 20th century, cider became the second most popular drink in France, at over 20 million hectolitres (the comparable figure for wine was 50 million hectolitres). Once the apples have been picked they are stored in canvas bags, sorted and grouped into more or less sweet varieties. When they reach maturity, the producer mixes them with brandy and leaves them to ferment. Cider is drunk fresh from the farm, bottled, traditional, dry or very dry and makes an ideal accompaniment for sweet or savoury pancakes..
Find out more: Cider in Brittany
COLPO CIDER-WORKS
The village of Colpo is in the Morbihan region, 20 km to the north of Vannes on the road to Locminé, Pontivy and St Brieuc. The traditional cider made in Colpo is produced principally from three varieties of apple from the Lanvaux plains that cross the Morbihan: dous moën, dous coëtligne and kermarrien. A conservation orchard has been created in order to preserve local varieties.
Find out more: Colpo cider-works
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Le Castel Marie Louise in la Baule
Le Fort de l’Océan au Croisic
La Bretesche in Missillac
Le Domaine de Rochevilaine in Billiers
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec in Trébeurden
Castel Clara in Belle-Île
Le Château de Locguénolé in Hennebont
MANOIR DE KINKIZ CIDER-WORKS
Cidrerie du Manoir de Kinkiz, 75 chemin de Quinquis, Ergué-Armel, 29000 Quimper. The Manoir de Kinkiz cider-works produces high-quality cider (bronze medal in the 2005 French General Agricultural Competition) and the distillery produces a Brittany AOC Pommeau (gold medal in the 2005 French General Agricultural Competition) and Lambig (apple brandy). The manor grows and processes its own apples. Tours follow the whole of the production line right through to bottling.
Find out more: Manoir du Kinkiz cider-works
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Hôtel de la Plage in Sainte-Anne la Palud
Le Château de Locguénolé in Hennebont
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
LIZIO CIDER-WORKS
Alain Le Roux, an artisan cider-maker in Lizio (Morbihan), produces ciders made from pure apple juice with no additives using selected varieties that are sorted by hand. The slow fermentation in vats is based on a traditional method and produces a typically fruity cider that will delight your palate.
Find out more: Lizio cider-works
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Le Castel Marie Louise in la Baule
Le Fort de l’Océan au Croisic
La Bretesche in Missillac
Le Domaine de Rochevilaine in Billiers
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec in Trébeurden
Castel Clara in Belle-Île
Le Château de Locguénolé in Hennebont
VAL DE RANCE CIDER-WORKS
Cider-makers since 1953, Les Celliers Associés, 24 rue de Dinan - 22690 Pleudihen sur Rance are:
450 cider-apple producers in the Rance Valley.
60 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of cider drinkers.
The premium Val de Rance cider is a top-quality product, ideal for quenching a thirst, as an aperitif and as an accompaniment to seafood for connoisseurs of vintage ciders with strong personalities as well as light, refreshing, sparkling, fruity drinks.
Find out more: Val de Rance cider-works
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Les Maisons de Bricourt in Cancale
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec in Trébeurden
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
BRITTANY CIDER MUSEUM
The Brittany Cider Museum (Musée du cidre de Bretagne) in Argol (Ferme de Kermarzin, D791 - Route de Crozon - 29560 Argol) on the Crozon peninsula explains the art of cider-making and showcases traditionally-made ciders, local Breton products, farmhouse cider, apple juice and regional produce; whether you are on holiday to explore the local culture, with the family, part of an organised group of adults or children or on a coach trip; you will spend the day exploring the many delights of Brittany.
Find out more: Brittany Cider Museum
Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
Hôtel de la Plage in Sainte-Anne la Palud
Le Château de Locguénolé in Hennebont
Hôtel Brittany in Roscoff
Le Manoir de Lann-Kerellec in Trébeurden
The Cider Route : nearby Relais & Chateaux properties
Hôtel et Spa de la Bretesche
Hotel and restaurant on a golf course
Next to a 15th century castle, this 200-hectare property steeped in history, skilfully combines comfort and hospitality. Five truly unforgettable atmospheres are found here: a hotel in harmony with its setting, a gourmet restaurant, a brasserie with its relaxed ambience and inventive cuisine, a spa dedicated to physical and spiritual wellness and a golf course with velvety greens. This is a true haven of tranquillity where courtesy and sophistication are the order of the day. ...Read more
France, Missillac
Les Maisons de Bricourt
Restaurant and hotel on the seafront
Breathtaking views of the bay of Mont Saint Michel and, at your feet, the oyster farms and the little port of Cancale. It is to this world of illustrious seafarers that Jane and Olivier Roellinger welcome you, surrounded by their loyal team. The spirit of the restaurant “Le Coquillage” is imbued with healthy yet elegant simplicity paired with gentle hospitality. The cuisine showcasing produce from the bay of Cancale reflects the maritime adventures of this pirate country by using more than 120 spices from the East and West Indies. You will find two residences; the château “Richeux” and the cottage “Les Rimains”, as well as “Les Gîtes Marins” for families, the patisserie-tea room “Grain de Vanille”, the “Cuisine Corsaire” cookery school and the “Épices-Roellinger” boutique: all ways to share the Roellinger’s joie de vivre between heaven and sea. ...Read more
France, Saint Méloir des Ondes
Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Belle-Île-en-Mer… “The appropriately-named” island, as the XIXth century poet Eva Jouan remarked about this “Beautiful-Island-at-Sea”. Accessible by boat, this little island has a secluded feeling about it that makes an ideal retreat for a contemplative spa break. Between indulging in the “Light legs” and “Massages of the world” body treatments, your gaze will stray over the Aiguilles de Port-Coton (amazing rocky formations that jut out in the middle of the ocean), the small pastel-coloured port of Sauzon, and your own imaginings. An occasion for absolute well-being and relaxation. ...Read more
France, Bangor
Manoir de Lan-Kerellec
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Surrounded by the immensity of the sea and the reefs of the Pink Granite Coast, the Manoir de LanKerellec is a jewel in Brittany’s crown. From your balcony, drink in the panoramic view of the islands of Milliau, Molène, and Losquet. Magical! Then you might want to take a walk along the coastal path to taste the sea spray, or scuba dive for a closer look at the underwater nature reserve. You might even bump into one of the crustaceans that you will find on your dinner plate that very evening… ...Read more
France, Trébeurden
Hôtel de la Plage
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Tartare of bass and caviar, prawn salad, carpaccio de Saint-Jacques à l’orange… These refined dishes take on a special flavor when they are served in such an ambiance:
a panoramic restaurant overlooking the ocean and, on both sides, an endless beach of fine sand. From the window of your room, you can take in the same marine beauty.
The only inconvenience: the sea makes a bit of noise at night, and you’ll have to get used to the gentle lapping of the waves… Let’s wager that you’ll easily do so! ...Read more
France, Sainte-Anne-la-Palud
Château de Locguénolé
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
A door leads out to the ocean and to a private dock for immediate boarding. Sailing between Lorient and the island of Groix is an unforgettable experience and just one of the many pleasures in store for you at this historic castle and manor house surrounded by 120 hectares of private forest. If you aren’t much of a sailor, a helicopter flight over the cliffs of Brittany might be more your thing. Once your feet are firmly back on the ground, sample the delights of the menu of fresh seafood and Brittany’s local produce, followed by a shiatsu massage to finish off a perfect day... ...Read more
France, Kervignac
Castel Marie-Louise
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Its six kilometres of fine sand have made the beach at La Baule one of the most beautiful promenades on the Atlantic coast. Opposite this beach sits the Belle Époque manor where every detail is perfect. The vast lawns are immaculately kept, a tribute to the owners’ perfectionism. The delicious breakfast already hints at the other culinary delights in store such as scallops marinated in grapefruit juice and olive oil. Another great feature is the thalassotherapy centre just steps away. The ultimate chic is to go there by bike… ...Read more
France, La Baule
Domaine de Rochevilaine
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
A vast, typically Breton area can be found in Morbihan, on the Vilaine estuary, at the tip of Pen-Lan. A site born of architectural prowess: these historic manors were taken apart stone by stone and then rebuilt by the sea. Right by the waves, spa bath therapy offers a rejuvenating, iodized therapeutic treatment. As for the restaurant, the Breton lobster does honour to its reputation. Is a lobster prepared better anywhere else in the world? This is also where you can meet Bertrand Jaquet, its owner, and also an art lover and genuine fan of Brittany. This place is the culmination of all of his passions. They might rub off on you… ...Read more
France, Billiers
Le Fort de l'Océan
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
On the Croisic peninsula is a historical gem: for the past four centuries, this granite fort has stood guard over the moods of the sea. The ramparts, moats and drawbridges are all still there. Built to resist storms and attacks, today, despite its stern exterior, this monument welcomes guests, and exhibits all of its charms: oak panelling, scented gardens, a sheltered swimming pool… And a vegetable garden where the chef also grows the herbs that flavour his inventive cuisine that often includes fresh seafood. ...Read more
France, Le Croisic
Hôtel Brittany
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Formerly a smuggling port and refuge of privateers, Roscoff has remained a unique destination, with its waves of emerald, its fishing houses of granite and its manor houses nestled amongst the cliffs. Your hideaway: an ancient trader’s property with a swimming pool, spa and direct access to the beach. For cuisine, Loïc Le Bail can tell you better than anybody about the local speciality: the pink onion, tender and sweet, the only sweetener that the Roscoff pirates took with them on their sea journeys. Being less reckless, you will only need a quarter hour’s boat journey to discover the small island of Batz, a “tropical” pearl misplaced in the English Channel with its palm trees and beaches of fine sand. ...Read more
France, Roscoff
