Coming from the UK? La Maison de la Vicomté is one of the easiest holiday homes in Brittany to reach: the Brittany Ferries crossing from Portsmouth docks in Saint-Malo, just 30 minutes’ drive from the house. No long drive across France: you can be unpacking in the garden within an hour of driving off the ferry.
The crossing: Portsmouth to Saint-Malo
- Operator: Brittany Ferries, the only company on this route, on board the Saint-Malo, a new hybrid ship in service since 2025.
- Outbound: an overnight sailing from Portsmouth, around 10½ to 11½ hours. Board in the evening, sleep in your cabin, and arrive in Saint-Malo in the morning.
- Return: a daytime sailing from Saint-Malo, from about 8½ hours.
- Frequency: daily in summer, every other day in winter. Check the timetable and book early for July and August.
From the port to the house: 30 minutes
From the ferry terminal, follow the signs for Dinan: the house is about 30 minutes away. We send you the exact directions and the key details a few days before you arrive.
Check-in is from 4 pm, and the ferry docks in the morning: the perfect excuse to spend the day in Saint-Malo first. Walk the ramparts, have lunch in the old town, stroll along the Sillon beach, then drive down the Rance valley to the house.
Other ways to get here
- Portsmouth – Caen (Ouistreham) or Plymouth – Roscoff with Brittany Ferries, then about 2 hours’ drive.
- Dover – Calais or Le Shuttle (Folkestone – Calais), then around 5 hours’ drive.
Travelling with your dog
One dog is welcome per stay, and the garden is fully enclosed. Brittany Ferries offers pet-friendly cabins and kennels: book them early, as they sell out in summer.
For the paperwork, UK-resident dogs currently need:
- a microchip (ISO standard, 15 digits), implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination: a vaccine given before the chip is not valid;
- a valid rabies vaccination, given when the dog was at least 12 weeks old. After a first vaccination, or a booster given after the previous one expired, wait at least 21 full days before travelling. A booster given on time needs no waiting period;
- an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before you travel. Since April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer accepted for residents of Great Britain: you need a new AHC for each trip;
- for the journey home, a tapeworm treatment given by a vet between 24 hours and 5 days before you arrive back in the UK, and recorded by the vet on your certificate. There are vets close to the house: book your appointment for the last days of your stay.
These rules may change: a new UK–EU agreement is expected in the coming years. Always check the latest requirements on gov.uk before you travel.
Book your stay
Our rates, live availability and conditions are on our Rates & booking page. To book in English, simply send us your dates: we reply within 24 hours. Want to know more about the area? Read about the house on the banks of the Rance.