Tea Shops in Brittany

France is not always about drinking glasses of wine in roadside cafés and it is not just the English who like their tea! In fact, France has its own tea culture and this can be indulged in formally in a tea room.

Dinan, in particular, has several tea rooms. One of the prettiest is ARTHÉ which can be found in the Rue de l'Apport which runs parallel to the Jeruzal. As the visitor steps inside the elegant and fascinating interior the street noises disappear and the only sound is the gentle murmur of voices and the particularly calming classical music that is played.

The pictures here do not do justice to the appealing features of the little tearoom. The gold of the under table cloths does not shine and the candles do not flicker. Web pages cannot send gentle wafts of incense or the rich smells of teas and infusions to the visitor. You have to visit ARTÉ yourself to sample these.

Take tea, an infusion or if you wish one of the rich, aromatic coffees plus the various gateaux on the ever-changing menu. Non tea or coffee drinkers can enjoy a variety of fresh fruit juices. Ice cream is also available.

An eclectic collection of antiques and collectables compete for attention with the beautiful displays of porcelain tea-pots and tea-cups. You can also purchase teas, accessories, books and a variety of sugars and gifts. Chose buttons from the basket of tiny mother pearl buttons on the counter.

Teapots are everywhere and are displayed in the many showcases that act as dividers. The nun on the right is a teapot and behind her is a crinolined lady teapot. They are all exquisite.

The granite walls of ARTÉ have interesting picture displays and in the recess on the right there are a variety of books on teas and their history and antiques.