Combourg is a small fairytale-like village with a dramatic castle that stands proudly over the charming streets and green terrain. The town is best known in France as the inspiration for one of the nation’s most acclaimed writers, François René de Châteaubriand. Find a spot to view the castle and the lake to fully appreciate the village’s serene ambiance.
The locals are known as Combourgeois. Typical to the Brittany region, the town has wet weather year-round, accounting for its green countryside. Summers are warm and pleasant while winters are cold.
Visit the Château de Combourg, which looms over the glorious Lake Tranquil. The château is privately owned but open to visits from the public. Learn about its intriguing history. It was initially constructed in the 12th century to protect the town. Admire the castle’s granite towers, when they are illuminated at night. Note how their light reflects on the lake below.
Find out about the writer Châteaubriand in his childhood bedroom of the Cat Tower of the castle. It is rumoured to be haunted by the former Lord of the Manor, who appears as a black cat. Capture photos of the stunning views of the lake and imagine how it inspired the creative mind of the writer.
Walk through the small streets full of cafés and shops in the village centre. Here, you will find the House of the Lantern, a historic structure with a tower that is lit up at night. It also houses the Tourism Office.
For a change of scenery, make your way north to St. Malo, where you can work on your tan at the beach and take a dip in the English Channel. Try oysters and an array of seafood at this pretty port town.
Combourg is in the Brittany region in the northwest of France. It is less than 1 hour away by car from St. Malo and Rennes. Take a connecting flight from Paris to Rennes or drive the 215-mile (350-kilometre) voyage west from the capital straight to Combourg.
Be inspired by the magnificent castle by the lake in Combourg.
