Can anyone recommend a nice, typically French (ie not Macdonalds or any other fast-food establishment) and not too expensive place to stop for lunch just off the N137 travelling from Rennes to Nantes? We are keen not to venture very far from the main road as we still have quite a long way to travel after lunch. About half way between the two cities would be ideal.

Wendy, I'm south of Nantes and though I have driven to Rennes to see friends I've not stopped. If you are familiar with restaurant lunches you ought to be able to find one offering a menu du jour for around €10-€12 p/person. There are a couple of towns, Heric looks interesting.

As a rule, we look for somewhere where there are lots of workmans vans or lorries parked! We have been told to look for the local "gare" as they are generally good - our local one certainly is.

As the journey from Nantes to Rennes will give you more than one option as far as charming little restaurants are concerned, why not having a look at the Resto.fr website and select the area / region of your choice :

http://www.resto.fr/default.cfm?clear=1&&langue=uk

Karim

Les Routiers will always offer good food.

Go to http://www.relais-routiers.com/Relai...itineraire.asp

Enter Rennes and Nantes and it will show you where the restaurants are.
There are two just off the main road and loads a little further afield. Don't be put off by what they look like on the outside.