On Dupin's tracks in Brittany

Itinerary

Come with us on a search for clues and discover the crime scenes of Jean-Luc Bannalec's thrilling crime series, which was also successfully made into a film. A journey full of secrets in the midst of an enchanting, wildly romantic landscape with picturesque villages, bizarre rock formations and the fresh sea breeze! We take you to the favourite places of Inspector Dupin and to many locations from all the novels published to date in southern Brittany.

1 day: Travelling to Chartres

An important case is on the horizon. We are off to Brittany! On the outward journey we spend the night in a hotel in Chartres. Dinner together at the hotel.

Day 2: ‘Breton secrets’ and legends in the forest of Brocéliande

Before travelling on, we take a look at the Gothic cathedral of Chartres. On the way past Rennes, the capital of Brittany, we meet our tour guide, who will accompany us on our Breton investigations over the next few days. In the afternoon, we discover the legendary forest of Brocéliande, which not only gives Dupin goose bumps during his investigations in ‘Breton Mysteries’, but is also the source of countless legends. Towards evening we reach Vannes, the largest city on the Golfe du Morbihan. Dinner in the town.

Day 3: Vannes and the small sea

For the investigations in ‘Breton Gold’, Inspector Dupin also spends a lot of time on the Golfe du Morbihan, the ‘little sea’, which is the literal translation of the Breton ‘mor bihan’. During a boat trip through the gulf and a stay on the Ile aux Moines, we can enjoy the idyllic scenery, just as Dupin liked to do. In Locmariaquer, we make a short detour to the Pointe de Kerpenhir. This is where the murderer in ‘Breton Gold’ threw a body into the sea at high tide. This was then floated into the Gulf instead of the vast Atlantic. Back in Vannes, our tour guide takes us through the old town centre. We round off the day with dinner in a crêperie.

Day 4: ‘Breton gold’ and ‘black land’ in the moors

Today is dedicated entirely to Inspector Dupin's third case, as this volume is all about Breton gold, the fleur de sel from the Guérande. During the investigation, Dupin was shot at out of the blue. On a guided tour of the salt marshes, you will learn more about the profession of salt worker and the ‘flower of salt’. A walk in the old town of Guérande or in the harbour town of Le Croisic rounds off your visit to the peninsula. We then board a barge and discover the ‘Black Land’ among the reeds and water lilies in the La Grande Brière Nature Park, the second largest moor in France. Dinner awaits us in a restaurant in Vannes.

Day 5: Mysterious stones, oyster farming & artists' traces

Mysterious start and unsolvable case: you discover the menhirs and rows of stones of Carnac. Why they are there and how they were built is still unclear today. The journey continues towards the north-west. On the banks of the Belon estuary, we visit an oyster farm run by a castle. In Inspector Dupin's fourth case, ‘Breton Pride’, one of the wooden tables is unceremoniously declared the operations centre. We enjoy not only the tasting and a glass of wine, but also the marvellous view. In the afternoon, we take a walk through the small mill town of Pont-Aven, where it all began in ‘Breton Circumstances’. We follow in the footsteps of Gauguin and other painters who were inspired by the poetry of these landscapes in the 19th century. Another short stop at Dupin's favourite beach, Plage de Tahiti, and we reach the main setting of the Dupin crime novels: Concarneau. We stay here for 3 nights. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Dupin's favourite places in Concarneau, Quimper old town & liquid gold

In the morning, we discover Dupin's favourite places in Concarneau, because this is where the detective is at home. He finds peace and quiet to reflect over an entrecôte in the restaurant ‘L'Amiral’ next to the market hall. Perhaps we'll have time for a coffee or aperitif there? In the 8th case, ‘Breton Legacy’, the deadly crime even takes place right in front of this restaurant. Around lunchtime, we arrive in Quimper, a picturesque town with historic half-timbered houses and an imposing cathedral, which we discover with our tour guide. Afterwards, we will visit a traditional cidery and learn all about the production of the Breton sparkling cider. A tasting rounds off this visit. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 7: Iles-de-Glénan - ‘Breton surf’ in the Tahiti of Brittany

Today we take an excursion to the island archipelago of Glénan. The Iles-de-Glénan archipelago with its white beaches is the Tahiti of Brittany. Even if shaky boat crossings are nothing for Inspector Dupin, he spends a lot of time on the Glénan Islands for the investigation of his second case. During a commented boat trip through the archipelago, we learn more about the sea and the islands and visit the main island of Saint-Nicolas. During our stay, we follow Dupin's footsteps around the island along the narrow wooden path. At lunchtime, we enjoy our picnic on the beach. In the evening we are back on dry land and round off this heavenly day with dinner at the hotel in Concarneau.

Day 8: It's time to say goodbye

Before we leave Brittany again, we get to know the diverse products of the fish canning factory, where suspicious clues lead Dupin in his last case. We return to Rennes for lunch, where we say goodbye to our tour guide. In the evening we arrive at our hotel for an overnight stay in the Auxerre/Avallon area. Last dinner together.

Day 9: Journey home

Return home - with exciting memories and plenty of evidence in our luggage!