Saint-Brice-en-Cogles travel guide
Visit Saint-Brice-en-Cogles (Brittany, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitThe town of Saint-Brice-en-Cogles is found north-east of Fougères and 45 kilometres from Rennes in the eastern region of the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany.
It is a traditional Breton town and almost every house and castle is built in the local granite, which was also an important local industry around the village in the 19th century when there were several granite quarries operating.
Explore Saint-Brice-en-Cogles
While the town itself doesn't take long to explore it is very pleasant and a visit is recommended when you are in this area. Saint-Brice-en-Cogles is listed as a "Village d'etape" being a pleasant small village to break up a journey and close to a main transport route (the A84/E3 betwen the north coast and Rennes).
The most interesting houses and shops of historical character can be found in the main street, the Rue Chateaubriand. There are several small restaurants including the Lion d'Or which is in the centre of the high street, and is also a hotel offering good value for money if you are staying overnight.
To the east of the main street the road continues into the Rue du Fougeres, and also at this point you can follow the Rue de l'Eglise a short distance to see the main historical monument in the town itself, the Church of Saint-Brice. Rather austere in appearance, the church was constructed and modified over the period 1776 - 1855.
To the rear of the church, the Chapel Saint-Catherine is slightly older than the main church, dating from the 17th century.
Castles and manor houses
It is the castles and manor houses in the vicinity of Saint-Brice-en-Cogles that are the principal attraction here. These include:
- the Château du Rocher-Portail, a substantial early 17th century castle with a main building and two large wings around a central cortyard on the edge of a small lake a short distance north of the town. The castle has a great deal of architectural interest, from the Renaissance gallery to the beautiful rooftops.
- the Château de la Motte ou de Saint-Brice, also from the 17th century although built on the site of a 12th century fortress. To the east of Saint-Brice-en-Cogles it is perhaps a grand manor house rather than a castle, and in a picturesque lakeside setting.
- the Manoir de la Branche, 15th-16th century
- the Manoir de la Bouvrais, 17th century
- the Château de la Villette, from the 19th century
I have listed these castles and manor houses in chronological order of when they were built because that is also their order of interest to visitors. If you have limited time I suggest you start at the top of the list! The Saint-Brice-en-Cogles tourist office can give you a guide to the best route to follow to see the local castles and manor houses, and other places of interest.
Attractions nearby
Another historic town with a castle close to Saint-Brice-en-Cogles that you will also enjoy exploring is at Fougeres, about 15 kilometres east of the town.
On the coast to the north visitors will of course want to visit the island and abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel, 30 kilometres from here and one of the most visited attractions in France.
You can find more travel ideas in the Ille-et-Vilaine guide and the Brittany guide.
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Fougeres
The castle and historic lower town are the main attraction, but be sure to also explore the newer upper town in Fougeres
Fougeres 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
Combourg
Combourg is best known for the Chateau de Combourg, once home to Chateaubriand, the romantic French author
Combourg guide
Dol-de-Bretagne
The lovely old town in Dol-de-Bretagne ensure it remains one of the most popular destinations in Brittany
Dol-de-Bretagne guide
Vitre
A town not be missed, Vitré has a superb historic centre with numerous fascinating medieval buildings
Vitre guide
Mont-Dol
Mont Dol is a small village with a hill top on which stands a windmill and a small chapel.
Mont-Dol guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Ille-et-Vilaine
Tourist classifications for Saint-Brice-en-Cogles
Saint-Brice-en-Cogles is classified as a recommended place to break a long journey (village d'etape)
Address: Saint-Brice-en-Coglès, Fougères, Brittany, 35460, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.411389, longitude -1.365833
Plan your visit to Saint-Brice-en-Cogles, Ille-et-Vilaine
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc floral de Haute-Bretagne: remarkable garden (8 km)
- Parc du château de Bonnefontaine: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Jardin du château de La Ballue: remarkable garden (13 km)
- Fougeres: town of art and history (14 km)
- Forêt de Fougères: site of natural beauty (15 km)
- Réserve naturelle régionale du Marais de Sougeal: site of natural beauty (15 km)
- Étangs du canal d'Ille-et-Rance: site of natural beauty (22 km)
- Ducey: village d'etape (24 km)
- Étang de Châtillon-en-Vendelais: site of natural beauty (24 km)
- Embouchure - Couesnon: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Couesnon: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Source - Couesnon: site of natural beauty (25 km)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Brice-en-Cogles (Francais)