There were a lot of places in Brittany that we just drove through with a brief stop. We snapped a few pictures and said "This is someplace we have to come back to on our next trip!" We came to refer to these as "Drive-by Shootings."

Rennes

Rennes is the capital of Brittany, and its largest city. We went there to check out the Franco-American Institute which has a large English-language library. It also holds classes on language and culture. We found a pleasant reading room where American university students were doing their research and socializing. The librarian took some time out to tell us the history of the library and to share the problems of running an American library in France. Every time that there is some anti-American demonstration, they become the symbolic target. He keeps a spray can of mace under the counter since the police aren't inclined to intervene. One of these days he hopes to computerize the catalog, but until then "Just ask me!"

On the way out of town, we drove through the old part of the city. We stopped in front of the cathedral and Marie snapped some pictures while Fritz sat in the car.

Josselin

Josselin is a small town a bit north of Vannes. It has a picturesque setting along the Oust river and a magnificent XVIth castle. Across the river are what appear to be the remains of an old cloister.

Vitré

Our route out of Brittany took us past the town of Vitré, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Brittany. The cluster of half-timbered houses clustered around the castle called to us, saying "Walk my streets and go back five centuries in time!"