Depart Paris in the morning and travel by coach to Brittany, a region of France that was a source of inspiration for renowned painters during the late nineteenth century. En route, stop for lunch in the picturesque town of Laval, situated on the banks of the Mayenne River, and enjoy some time to wander through the medieval old town. Labelled a “City of Art and History”, Laval is the birthplace of post-Impressionist painter Henri Rousseau and boasts an impressive medieval château, Beucheresse gate and ramparts.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Rennes, Brittany’s capital and largest city, and enjoy a brief orientation tour before checking in to the hotel.

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Following a morning talk by Julie, enjoy a walking tour of Rennes’ old town. See the Portes des Mordelaises, the old gates and fortifications rebuilt in the fifteenth century; Saint Pierre Cathedral, where the Dukes of Brittany were once crowned; and the Place des Lices, once used for jousting.

Continue to the Museum of Fine Arts, first opened in 1794 and housing a rich collection of works from all around the world. Damaged during World War II, the museum was renovated in 1957 and accompanied by a collection of modern works including paintings by Impressionist Gustave Caillebotte and the School of Pont-Aven’s Emile Bernard and Paul Sérusier.

Then, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the city at your own pace before dinner.

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Depart Rennes in the morning and head to the walled city of Vannes. Protected by its ramparts, the city flourished, and today is a picturesque, fortified town with colourful half-timbered houses, mansions and tree-lined quays. Wander through its narrow, cobbled streets and discover its lively old town, historic city gate and impressive thirteenth-century medieval ramparts.

After lunch, continue along the rugged so-called ‘Côte Sauvage’, or wild coast, to Carnac, home to the largest collection of megaliths in Europe. En route, stop to view these prehistoric sentinels, as well as numerous menhirs and dolmens dating back to 4600 BC.

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Today, visit the charming village of Pont-Aven, discovered by American painters in the late nineteenth century and renowned for its bucolic settings that inspired numerous artists. Visit the Fine Arts Museum and learn about the Pont-Aven School, which included famous young painters such as Paul Gauguin, Emile Bernard, Paul Sérusier and Maxime Maufra. Rejecting Impressionism, they created a new abstract art style known as Synthetism, characterised by simplified, flat forms in pure colours, separated by dark contours.

Then, stroll through the picturesque village and walk along the Aven river – the inspiration for many of Gauguin’s artworks and lined with rocky riverbeds, countless mills, thatched houses and cathedrals.

Return to Carnac in the afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure to explore the town at your own pace.

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Spend the day discovering the unique and varied landscapes of Belle-Ile-en-Mer, an island located just off the coast of Brittany, which became a popular destination in the late nineteenth century for Impressionist artists, including Claude Monet and Australian painter John Peter Russell. Monet painted his famous Needles of Port-Coton, inspired by the island’s jagged cliffs, captivating light and transient sea conditions, which in turn influenced numerous artworks from other renowned Impressionist painters.

Continue to the little fishing village of Sauzon and visit the nearby Sarah Bernhardt Museum, located in her exuberant house where she spent her summers for over 30 years, with breathtaking views of the coastline. Learn about the life and legacy of ‘The Divine’ actress that fell in love with the island after her first visit.

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This morning, depart Carnac and travel to Nantes, the former capital of Brittany for hundreds of years. En route, enjoy lunch at the Domaine de la Bretesche overlooking a fifteenth-century castle built at the entry of the Loire Valley.

Arrive in Nantes in the mid-afternoon. Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival at Nantes Airport or Nantes CBD. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation after the tour, a room category upgrade or travel insurance (a condition of travel).

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