Dol de Bretagne is near the coast of north-east Brittany, 25 kilometres west of Mont-Saint-Michel and about the same distance east from Saint-Malo.
Explore Dol-de-Bretagne
Your visit will start in the attractive medieval centre of Dol-de-Bretagne old town.
Here in the old town the 12th century cathedral of Saint Samson will be the first monument to attract your attention. The gothic style cathedral is very large given the current size and population of the town, but this is because Dol de Bretagne was an important bishopric in days gone by.
Highlights of the cathedral include the ornate carvings around the south entrance, the stained glass windows and the renaissance style tomb of a 15th century bishop.
On the same square as the cathedral you can also visit the Cathédraloscope, a fascinating place that explains the techniques used in medieval times to build such magnificent buildings and how they were decorated.
Dol de Bretagne is reputed to be the origin of the Royal House of Stuart, the future kings of Scotland.
Wandering south of the cathedral you enter the streets of the old town. The most important streets are the Grande Rue des Stuarts and Rue Lejamtel.
In this part of the town there are lots of beautiful half-timbered houses and architecture dating from the 11th century onwards, and also many houses built in the traditional granite used in Brittany buildings.
Be sure in particular to see the 11th century building called Les Petits Palets which is said to be the oldest stone built house in France! Pass behind the Rue des Stuarts onto the Ruelle du Robinet near the Post Office to catch a glimpse of the beautiful XV/XVI century Manoir du Quengo.
The public park and 'Promenade des Douves' offers good views across the marshes and out to the sea which is now several kilometres away. There is a good section of remaining ramparts here too. Originally there were 1.5 km of ramparts and 12 towers surrounding Dol-de-Bretagne.
You can pick up a useful leaflet from the Tourist Office in Dol de Bretagne with all the notable buildings marked on it to help guide your visit.
The historic museum in Dol also has some interesting artefacts rescued from various churches in the region.
Attractions nearby
One particular attraction on the edge of Dol-de-Bretagne is a Neolithic menhir - the Menhir du Champ Dolent - (standing-stone) that is one of the tallest and most impressive in Brittany, at 9.3 metres tall.
Just three kilometres north of here you can visit the charming hilltop village of Mont-Dol which has a small chapel and a windmill on the top, and can be reached by a pleasant walk
You can find more travel ideas in the Ille-et-Vilaine guide and the Brittany guide.
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Map of Dol-de-Bretagne and places nearby
Visit near Dol-de-Bretagne with France This Way reviews
Mont-Dol
Mont Dol is a small village with a hill top on which stands a windmill and a small chapel.
Mont-Dol guide
Cancale
Cancale is the perfect place to try the famous Brittany oysters, fresh every day!
Cancale guide
Combourg
Combourg is best known for the Chateau de Combourg, once home to Chateaubriand, the romantic French author
Combourg guide
Saint-Suliac
Saint Suliac is a beautiful village on the estuary of the River Rance in Brittany.
Saint-Suliac guide
Mont-Saint-Michel
No visit to Normandy would be complete without visiting the iconic Abbey and island of Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel guide
Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast in northern Brittany is extremely popular with visitors and contains numerous places of interest, beaches and resorts
Emerald Coast guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Ille-et-Vilaine
Tourist classifications for Dol-de-Bretagne
Dol-de-Bretagne is classified as a recommended place to break a long journey (village d'etape)
Address: Dol-de-Bretagne, Saint-Malo, Brittany, 35120, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.55, longitude -1.757
Plan your visit to Dol-de-Bretagne, Ille-et-Vilaine
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Île des Rimains: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Estuaire de la Rance: site of natural beauty (16 km)
- Île des Landes: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Côte de Cancale à Paramé: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Réserve naturelle régionale du Marais de Sougeal: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Îlots Notre-Dame et Chevret: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Pointe du Grouin: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Île du Guesclin: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Embouchure - Couesnon: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Couesnon: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- Jardin du château de La Ballue: remarkable garden (20 km)
- Jardins du château de la Bourbansais: remarkable garden (20 km)
Market days in Dol-de-Bretagne, France
Regular market(s) are held in Dol-de-Bretagne each Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Dol-de-Bretagne (Francais)