Reminiac
Nearby (200m from La Maison Crème 1Km from Jaune, 3Km`s from Blanche & Orange) lies the small village of Reminiac. Reminiac which is 10 minutes from the large town of Malestroit has 50 or so houses, a phone box, church, post office and two bars-serving alcohol, soft drinks and coffee. You can sit outside with a drink and watch the world go gently by.

Additionally, there’ s a general store (selling fresh bread, croissants and groceries) open six days a week and `The Old Ivy` Restaurant (a must visit– see the restaurant page). In the summer check out the wood-carving exhibition on the village green where sculptures are created from huge logs using implements ranging from chainsaws to chisels (see below photos).

There's also a lake for fishing and a small children's playground with picnic tables.

You can go on the specially laid out walk through the countryside and see the numerous sculptures that have been made in previous years. It`s all free as well.

Monteneuf
The same size as Reminiac, Monteneuf is about 1 Km away. Monteneuf has a bakers which opens at 7.30a.m to offer fresh bread each day (except Mondays).

Monteneuf is famous in Brittany for its `standing stones`. There are dozens of the mysterious huge megaliths in a small area just outside the village. The stones, which range in size from 100 kilos to over 30 tons, are made from schist (see photo). In addition, an authentic `bronze age` village has been created around them to give the feel of mediaeval France. An extensive network of marked paths specially designed for walkers and cyclists leads off from the stones. Monteneuf also has a lake were you can fish (you can pick up a daily licence from the bakers). However, like us, you may just prefer to use the lake area for picnicking on hot summer days.

There`s also a great restaurant, really nice food and we definitely recommend it. See the restaurant page for more info.

A small market is held every Sunday morning.

Malestroit
About 12Km away lies the beautiful medieval town of Malestroit. Historically important due to its role in the 100 year war, the town was built in the Middle Ages on the banks of the River Ouest which now flows through its centre. Malestroit also boasts a canal. Hire a motor boat, canoe or pedallo for the hour or day.

Malestroit has been designated a `Cite Fleurie,` which means it is decorated from top to bottom with stunning floral displays all summer.

All the necessary facilities are available including; large and small shops (four supermarkets- one open Sunday morning); an excellent cave (off-licence) stocking a huge range of wines and beer; a garden centre; banks, post office, petrol station and all the usual amenities one would hope for from a small town. Malestroit also houses the museum of Brittany resistance. If you`re interested in house hunting, there are two English speaking estate agents in Malestroit. We can tell you where to find them.

You can also hire bikes from the Tourist Info or the lawnmower shop opposite Casino supermarket (14 Euros per day or 60 Euros a week)

On Thursday mornings a large market fills the church square offering huge quantities of local seafood and regional produce. Hot cooked food such as spit roasted pork and chicken can be bought, together with paella, hot crepes and fancy tartlets.

A variety of sales/ antique fairs and fetes are held in the square throughout the summer months .

You could try some of the restaurants in Malestroit.

There`s the Moulin au Poivre -a great traditional auberge down a side street opposite the square. You can sit outside and there`s a large buffet board for starters, just help yourself. If you fancy a pizza or pasta then go to La Piazza, a just opposite the church which is great value and really nice.

Don`t miss Le Grain de Sel -an auberge next to the church. Very nice surroundings and great food -try the snails stuffed into filou pastry and then the stek with gorgonzola. Round the corner is La  Cantonier -a bit of an upmarket place. Then by the canal is Le Quay aux Sauvers -a steaky type place.

Don`t forget La Riveraine creperie where you can have crepes (savory pancakes) filled with anything from scallops, to ham. For pudding try the crepes (sweet pancakes) filled with chocolate, brandy, apple, ice cream.......... the choice is huge.

Or if you fancy a bit of something completely different there`s always the Moroccan and Chinese (takeaway) restaurants to try.

La Gacilly
Ten-fifteen minutes drive takes you to La Gacilly `The Town of the Artisan`. La Gacilly is a Ville-Fleurie (Blooming Town) . It's absolutely jam packed with floral displays and must be seen.

However, what really sets it apart is its population of sculptors and artists. Most workshops and galleries are open to the public throughout the summer. The small local shops are all stuffed full of objets d`art and interesting curios, all of which are for sale.

The town also boasts a botanical gardens and a textile museum housed in an old millhouse on the river (take a boat trip for an hour or so on the river). Visit the annual nature photo exhibition. Alternatively, how about treating yourself to a new set of hand made wine glasses from the glass blowers ? Don’t forget to visit to the Yves Rocher perfume factory where you can have a guided tour in English and see the perfume being made. Afterwards, take a walk around their extensive gardens where the exotic plants for the perfume are grown. On the way out, stop off at their factory outlet shop and snap up some bargains.

Ploermel
A fifteen mile drive north takes you to Ploermel. This a bustling town with a good selection of shops both large and small. There`s a lot of cafes and restaurants to choose from here. If you want to check out a `caverne Ali Baba` then go to the Boutique Acteul, which is stuffed full of interesting objets d`art for the house and home.

Check out the ` working time` museum where clocks are the thing. For those military buffs there is a workshop making lead toy soldiers which you can visit.

There`s also an English language church which meets every Sunday. They welcome anyone who`d like to attend. Tel 00 33 97 74 24 82 and speak to the chaplain for more info (he`s English by the way).

Like seafood ? Go to the Retour du Pecher (a great seafood restaurant, about 200 metres down the hill from the main square).

Don`t forget the Lake of the Duke (Lac au Duc). A huge lake with sandy beaches, water slides, boat, canoe, water ski and windsurf hire. Prices start at six euros an hour.

St-Jacut-Les-Pins
This nearby pretty town is best known for its windmill and traditional wind driven flour milling. The windmill which was built in the 19th century was the main source of flour for the area until it was superceded by a water mill in 1923. There`s a couple of good restaurants to check out close by as well.

Roc-St Andre
This local town built on a large stone outcrop just on the bank of the River Ouest is best known for its unusual neo-gothic church and bridge and, on a slightly different front, its brewery. You can visit the brewery (Lancelot) and discover the secrets of traditional brewing. You can also try some if you like.