Elaine & Paul Clark
We moved to Nivillac in 2004 and opened our super-dog-friendly holiday cottages in 2005. We are English and we live on-site, so we are available to greet you and help you during your stay ….. we speak French fluently.
Our 4 dogs – Cass, Izzy, Joy and Koko love to go on group walkies with gîte guests and their dogs, as long as the dogs are happy to do so.
We are now both retired. Paul was a Police Officer in the UK and Elaine was a Primary School French teacher in the UK and taught English in schools in France before retraining as a dog trainer in 2009. For several years now she has travelled around France and Belgium giving workshops at dog clubs teaching dog trainers. She will partly retire in 2026, only offering 1-2-1 classes to our gîte guests who would like to discover dog sports such as Scentwork, Mantrailing, Hoopers or Treiball. She no longer offers classes locally. La Belle Vilaine is NOT a dog club.
Elaine & Paul
La Belle Vilaine between the coast and countryside
Welcome to La Belle Vilaine, a haven of peace nestled on the border of southern Brittany and the Loire Atlantique. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of beautiful countryside and the heritage of the area offering simple pleasures aplenty to easily fill a well-earned 2-week holiday.
🚶♂️ Walkies from your cottage...
The beautiful, winding Vilaine River snakes around our hamlet and is easily accessible – just a 15-minute walk – where our dogs love to swim and paddle. This is what inspired us to call our gîtes “The Beautiful Vilaine”. To help you make the most of our beautiful surroundings we provide maps of walks from the door stretching for several kilometers in different directions through quiet lanes, woodland, along the river and countryside footpaths.
🏰 La Roche-Bernard: charm and character
Just a 10-minute drive away, discover La Roche-Bernard, a charming little town:
• Cobbled streets and half-timbered houses
• Restaurants on the harbor… and even on the water
• River cruises, classic sailing ships, sailing school
• Museums, artisans, marina
A concentrated dose of authentic Brittany to explore to your heart’s content.
🐾 Nature and relaxation… with your dog
• Lake 15 minutes away: swimming possible with your four-legged friend
• St. Cry Fountain: picnic area, pétanque, woodland walks, and local wildlife (dragonflies, butterflies, birds, etc.)
🌊 Seaside and city breaks
• Vannes (30 min): lively port, gardens, museums, historic streets, cruises in the Gulf of Morbihan
• Guérande (30 min): medieval town and legendary salt marshes
• La Grande Brière (20 min): thatched cottages, boat or horse-drawn carriage rides through the heart of the marshes
• La Mine d’Or beach in Pénestin (30 min): walk along the golden cliffs and breathtaking views.
⛳ And for golf enthusiasts…
Just 20 minutes away, the Château de La Bretesche awaits you on the shores of a lake, with its golf course in an enchanting setting.
La Belle Vilaine is more than just a place to stay: it’s an invitation to slow down, breathe, explore… and share unforgettable moments, even with your dog.