Town: Dol-de-Bretagne

Town: Dol-de-Bretagne

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is,  considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

 

Rating is 1 – 4 (1 being most friendly)

  1. Known to be a favorite for internationals and/or Anglophones; English heard frequently
  2. Substantial international community; hearing English is not unusual
  3. Some expats, or other international populations, occasionally you might hear English spoken
  4. Not especially international; English rarely heard spoken”

 AVF stands for Accueils des Villes Françaises (roughly translated ‘Home of French Cities’ From their website: The national network of Accueils des Villes Françaises “offers new residents and anyone looking for social connections friendly activities that allow them to discover their new environment and make new friends.” 

They are particularly helpful as you meet newcomers, both French and English-speaking.  Most branches provide a robust range of classes (including French) and activities, for an incredibly small annual membership fee  (35 Euro?)    Here’s their national website, which will connect you to the branch in the town you are looking at https://avf.asso.fr/

 This category differs with each town.  One town might have a large international industry (Bordeaux: aerospace) or govermental HQ (Strasbourg: EU) while others are simply perennial favorites for internationals (like Nice, or any nice spa town, like Jonzac or Bagnoles-de-l’Orne) 

 We feel that a large university is a marker of a town used to newcomers and at home with a range of cultures and ideas. 

A town that attracts retirees is more likely to be safe, affordable,temperate in climate, offer good health care options  and be welcoming

 We use three categories: least, mid, or most expensive.  For wonderful details and ability to compare costs of  different French towns, see villedereve.fr

Data from the site villedureve.fr.  Range from 0  to 100 with 100 the best

*More than 30 days, less than 90. Off-peak season, prices & features vetted for this kind of stay.

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

A nice size town, with the charms of Brittany but not the seaside, tourist ambiance.  Reasonable in size, cost of living and transportation

“The town itself is fairly typical. It has a market on Saturdays, a little high street with bars and restaurants, a few little supermarkets and a swimming pool. If you have kids it has OK schools. It’s a little touristy in high season, but maybe that’s a good thing for you?…I’d say though that the location is what helps. You are close to beaches, (my fav is Cherrueix) it has an OK railway service which can get you to Rennes and from there wherever you want.” Mathew Lambert

Weather might be considered a minus.   Not a hot spot for tourism or night life.  No hospital in town

Rachelle Write: “Too windy and rainy. There are prettier and more sheltered places in Bretagne that are beautiful’

Aby G: “The winters are wet and cold. Got a -7°c in January but that is rare. Summers are nice between 23°c and 30°c with some heat waves up to 35°c. But It does rain in the summer too. “

Helen Pulley: It’s lovely, has a Saturday market but very close to St Malo, last time I went, lots of British ‘lads’ drinking-what I’ve moved to France to avoid. Has a railway station so a plus, & close to St Malo for ferry links. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

Who recommends it?

Mathew L.: "There is a very very large campsite there called Les Ormes, which is quite expensive (and super busy) but a great place to go for kids and families. The town itself is fairly typical. It has a market on Saturdays, a little high street with bars and restaurants, a few little supermarkets and a swimming pool. If you have kids it has OK schools. It's a little touristy in high season, but maybe thats a good thing for you?

I'd say though that the location is what helps. You are close to beaches, (my fav is Cherrueix) it has an OK railway service which can get you to Rennes and from there wherever you want."
Lyn W.: "Live 15 minutes away and love Dol de Bretagne. Close to ferry, airport, rail links. Good selection of retail and lovely, busy Saturday market."

Helen W.: 

  • Good transport links with TGV
  • st Malo only 20 mins by car
  • Well equipped if you have children bowling swimming pool
  • Park etc

Aby G.: "It's a really nice town and also close enough to the coast. Saint Malo, Dinard ,Dinan, Mont St. Michel and Rennes not far away. Easy to get to Paris with the TGV that leaves from Dol and takes 2.30hrs. there are a few english here. The super U and Intermarché are near the centre but carrefour and Lidl are outside the town.  There is a market on Saturdays. The winters are wet and cold. Got a -7°c in January but that is rare. Summers are nice between 23°c and 30°c with some heat waves up to 35°c. But It does rain in the summer too."

 

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