A Brittany-Style Dinner

Caramelised red onion, thyme and goats cheese tart with rocket and pine nut salad.
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Roast duck breast with plum and orange sauce.
Local seasonal market vegetables.
Boulangere potatoes
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Local Breton speciality cheese board.
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Chocolate pots with spiced nectarines and Breton butter biscuits.
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Coffee and hand made chocolates.

Ian and Jane Slade, owners/operators of LIBJE

Climb aboard and enjoy a video tour of a barge cruise on LIBJE
 



Highlights of a Week on LIBJE
Brittany, France

• Historic town of Redon and it's 11thC abbey of Saint-Saveur
• Visit the beautiful Isle au Pies (Magpie Islands)
• Sample the regional speciallty, apple cider, from an artisan cider maker in St Martin
• Browse the artisan shops of La Gacilly, the home of famous Yves Rocher beauty products
• Shop the lively outdoor market at Malestroit
• Feast on a "market lunch" after walking the beautiful chateau village of Josselin
• Plenty of opportunity for walking and biking along the canals and through villages

For more information and bookings
Contact Us or call 1-888-264-3983

A sample week aboard LIBJE,
Canal Nantes à Brest and River Vilaine, Brittany

Day 1 - Redon
Guests are met at a pre-arranged point in the afternoon and taken by car to Libje at the starting point of your cruise. Redon is at the crossroads of the Brittany waterways network, and stands at the junction of the River Vilaine and the Nantes - Brest canal. Redon is an important historical town and has many riches, particularly in the old town.The Saint-Saveur Abbey founded in 832 brought cultural glory and riches to the town. Redon also hosts the excellent Inland Water Transport Museum . Settle in and enjoy a short cruise to a quiet countryside location where you can enjoy your welcome champagne dinner on board. 

Day 2 - Redon to La Gacilly
We head west up the Canal de Nantes à Brest through Isle au Pies (Magpie Islands) a famous beauty spot. Its rocky cliffs and sheltered waters provide a playground for rock climbers and canoeists. We next stop at the village of St Martin, home of an artisan cider maker. You can try this local speciality and buy direct from the producers. From here we will take you to the town of La Gacilly. The old main street of this town has been converted over the years into a haven for artists and craftsmen. Each shop now houses a different skill with its own workshop. From glassblowing to wood carvers to artists, onyx workers, leather workers, woodturners, engravers, jewellers and musicians; La Gacilly has it all. In addition, the famous Yves Rocher beauty products are based here as well as Europe's first 'vegetarium', a museum dedicated to the plant world. The whole village is decorated with flowers, and also hosts a major photography exhibition with large and spectacular photographs decorating the town. Definitely a trip not to missed.

Day 3 - La Gacilly to Malestroit
We now pass through beautifully unspoiled countryside and natural woodland as we head toward Malestroit. Founded in 978, this medieval town with its winding streets has many half timbered houses with overhanging gables liberally decorated with wood carvings. We arrive at Malestroit in time for lunch and a guided tour around the town. In the afternoon we take you to the gorgeous village of Rochefort en Terre. This picturesque spot is officially listed as one of only 15 entries in 'France's most beautiful villages' and won the 'best flower display' so many times that it was banned from entering again! A street market, regular musical events and a lively atmosphere make Malestroit a must-visit. At nearby St Marcel is an excellent museum devoted to the resistance struggle in the second world war. Allow a half day if you wish to visit. We often also visit the nearby standing stones at Monteneuf. This smaller version of Carnac was discovered only 30 years ago after a forest fire revealed the alignments. Extensive searches have now revealed over 200 menhirs (upright stones) and several burial sites. Dinner can be taken in one of the varied restaurants in town.

Day 4 - Malestroit to a countryside mooring
A gentle day pottering our way through several small villages stopping for bread at Le Roc St Andre with its gothic church standing high on a rocky bluff overlooking the river, or pretty little Montertelot. We stop wherever the fancy takes us, perhaps at the ancient little village of St Gobrien with its 10thC church and some of the oldest houses in the entire region. In the evening we choose a quiet countryside mooring and either provide your evening meal there or we can take you to a lovely little countryside restaurant. Sit on deck and listen to nothing but the sound of the birds.

Day 5 - Towards Josselin
We now pass through some of the prettiest countryside on your cruise. Meadows come down to the river and the river winds through natural woodland. We arrive at one of the best and most famous canal views in France. As we round a bend in the river Oust you see the magnificent chateau of the Rohan family towering above the river. After negotiating the lock we moor below the chateau walls and Josselin is waiting for you. In the afternoon you can either continue your explorations round the medieval streets or we can take you to see Chateau Kerguehennac, an 18thC chateau that has recently been restored. It is surrounded by extensive gardens and is host to a superb arboretum.The upstairs rooms of the chateau are used as an art gallery.

Day 6 - To Josselin
You will doubtless want to spend some time investigating Josselin. Its pretty streets, the ancient church, timbered medieval houses, the excellent large street market (Saturday mornings), the museum in the chateau itself with France's largest collection of historic dolls, the street cafes and variety of interesting family run shops. Josselin is, in many ways, the heart of the region. Choose from an excellent range of restaurants for your evening meal. If we are here on a Saturday morning, a favorite thing to do is to pick the best that the market has to offer, and we all have a big 'market lunch' with seafood, fresh roast chicken, country pate and sausage etc. From an upmarket yet reasonable restaurant high above the river or a waterside 'creperie', Josselin has them all.

Alternatively, we can take you down to the south coast of Brittany to visit the historic walled town of Vannes with its chic shops and impressive gardens. Perhaps you might also be tempted with a visit to the stunning fortified chateau at Suscinio which once belonged to the Dukes of Brittany. If, however, you love just sitting back and taking in the waterways then we can continue cruising through increasingly rural surroundings to the little village of Cadoret. We stop en-route to take in the gorgeous little ancient village of Pomeleuc.

Day 7 - Transfer to Rennes or Redon 
After breakfast on board, we say goodbye to Libje and take you to Rennes or Redon by car for your onward journey.

Note this is a sample itinerary and is subject to change based on guests' interests. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in reverse direction.