Villas in Cancale

About Cancale

Cancale is a fishing port at the western end of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, in Ille-et-Vilaine, covering only about 12.6 square kilometres. Its reputation as the oyster capital of Brittany brings most visitors: the beds cover roughly 7.3 square kilometres, the oyster market sells local oysters at producer prices, the town holds the Site remarquable du goût label, and at low tide part of the beds can be visited. A coastal path makes a circular walk from the town to Pointe du Grouin, looking across the bay towards Mont-Saint-Michel. Our homes are gathered close to the centre, mostly for four or five people with two bedrooms, and most have a garden. A few have a pool or a sauna. Painters such as John Singer Sargent and Eugène Feyen worked here, and the climate brings about 700 mm of rain over roughly 121 days a year.

Is Cancale right for you?

Best for

Food lovers and coastal walkers wanting a garden near Saint-Malo

Not for you if

You want a pool, because only a few homes here have one.

Near Cancale

• Pointe du Grouin

  Reached by a circular coastal walk from the town, with views across the bay towards Mont-Saint-Michel.

• Saint-Malo

  About 15 km west of Cancale, with its walled city, Brittany Ferries sailings from Portsmouth and a 24-hour park-and-ride site.

• Mont-Saint-Michel

  Line 17 buses run twice daily from Saint-Malo to Pontorson in about an hour; check tides, as the Mont is cut off at high tide.

• Dinard and the Côte d'Émeraude

  More sandy beaches lie west of Saint-Malo, including Saint-Lunaire and Saint-Cast, and Dinard has a covered market.

Getting to Cancale

From the UK, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, about 15 km west of Cancale, and Condor Ferries sails from Poole. By rail, hourly TER trains run from Rennes to Saint-Malo in about 50 minutes. You will want a car for Cancale and the surrounding coast.

When to go to Cancale

Hotels around Saint-Malo fill up very fast in season, so book early for summer. The oyster market and coastal walk work in any season, though rain falls on roughly 121 days a year. Dinard hosts its annual English Film Festival each October, and in spring gannets can be seen at Cap Fréhel. Check tide times before visiting Mont-Saint-Michel.

Cancale villa holidays: questions answered

Nearby towns to Cancale

• Saint Malo (102)
• Dinard (90)
• Saint Briac (10)
• Saint Cast le Guildo (9)
• Saint Lunaire (8)
• Lancieux (7)
• All of Ille-et-Vilaine