The 14 essential things on the Côte de Granit Rose

Are you planning to visit the Côte de Granit Rose? Find out how thanks to our list of incontours of the destination.

In between the Golden Belt and the Goëlo Coast, the Côte de Granit Rose owes its name to its particular geology. Indeed, its coastline is full of huge pink granite stones, offering visitors magnificent colorful views. It has been protected since 1901 by the very first association born of the famous “Law 1901”: the Artistic Union for the Protection of the Scenic Sites of Ploumanac’h. Then put your suitcases, and go to the Côte de Granit Rose and discover its wonders. Sometimes natural, sometimes human, these will delight you and give you the desire to return. As is often said in Brittany: “He who comes, returns and the one who returns, stays”.

1. Perros-Guirec

Just a few kilometers from Ploumanac’h and its lighthouse is the town of Perros-Guirec. In 2015, she was rewarded with the title “Village favoris des Français” as part of the annual competition organized by France 2. And for cause: the beauty of the site and its surroundings leaves unmistakably without a voice. It is in particular the coastline of Ploumanac’h which is called into question.

But Perros-Guirec doesn’t just sum up in Ploumanac’h. You can quite lose yourself in its flowered streets of hortensias, many of which are the old rose stone houses. Otherwise, discover the beaches of Trestraou or Trestrignel, from which you will see the horizon punctuated with rocks and islands.

Ploumanac’h

Great must-see of the Côte de Granit Rose, even Brittany, Ploumanac’h is a pleasant town attached to Perros-Guirec. Indeed, the seaside is full of huge rock formations made of pink granite. This gives this coastline truly magical looks, especially at sunset. Unbelievable natural colors then hit your pupils for your pleasure. Also, the iconic Mean Ruz Lighthouse comes to punctuate the beautiful Côte de Granit Rose, attracting thousands of curious tourists every year. And you are ready•e•s to climb the many rocks to access the lighthouse?

2. The Seven Islands

The Sept-Îles is an archipelago located off Perros-Guirec. In fact, it is not exactly seven islands that make up it, but several main islands and some imposing rocks, but several main islands and some imposing rocks. Cruises with or without stopovers are possible, but know that the show is not only terrestrial.

Indeed, the archipelago of the Seven Islands is today the largest private ornithological reserve of the French coastline. Thus, the archipelago is classified as the Natural Site Protected in 1912, from the Natural Reserve in 1976. Since then, several tens of thousands of pairs of birds have elected their homes. In particular, do not miss the observation of the macarous, majestic birds with coloured beak and black and white plumage on the Island of the Monks. This species, which the hunt has largely weakened in the early twentieth century, now lives peaceful days on this island where it is protected.

3. Hiking on the Côte de Granit Rose

Hiking is one of the best ways to visit the Côte de Granit Rose, because you will crowd it with your own feet. Its beautiful and rosé coastline offers many opportunities for hiking, from all levels.

You can enjoy walks on rocky beaches, at low tide, for example. From the beaches, you will have all the leisure to be able to observe the sea and the very many islands that climb off the coast.

La Vallée des Traouïero

The Traouïero Valley is a natural horse zone between Perros-Guirec and Trégastel. Made of forests, hills, rocks, streams and ponds, this valley is a real pearl of condensed nature. A typical granite chaos of the region is imposed through the undergrowth and high trees. A hike can be made: winding in nature, follow the trail and make a tour of this valley, 5 or 10 kilometers depending on your desires.

Trail of the Douaniers

The Trail des Douaniers is a must-see for Breton hikes. Along the coastline of Brittany, it is very long (more than 1000 kilometers). On the other hand, it is split into many sections that you are free to achieve at your own pace. The Trail of the Douaniers which passes through the Côte de Granit Rose extends from the Pointe du Château (east), to Lannion, to Port-Blanc, Ploumanac’h and Trébeurden. Attention however: plan at least 6 days, with between 4 and 7 hours of daily walking, to achieve this part of the trail.

Grand Island

North of Trebeurden, discover Grand Island, connected to the mainland by a single road. A hike allows you to take a full tour in less than 3 hours. Completely integrated with GR34 and without major difficulty, the Grand Island trail allows to observe the wonders of this island, its coastline and, in particular, an alley covered in menhirs.

4. Les Châteaux du Trégor

The Trégor is one of the countries of the Brittany region, like Leo in the North Finistère or the Vannetian Country in the Morbihan. The Côte de Granit Rose is entirely part of the Trégor, of which it is a terrestrial limit by the north. Slightly down, we invite you to discover the Châteaux du Trégor.

So we have: the Castle of Rosanbo, the Castle of Kergrist, the Castle of Tonquédec and the Château de la Roche-Jagu. The Château de Tonquédec is the only one that is uninhabitable, a vestige of the past and a witness of the Breton prestance of the Middle Ages. The others all take place in beautiful areas raised in maintained. Visits are recommended and often, entertainment-discovery are offered to immerse you a little more in the time.

5. The Planetarium of Brittany

If the Universe fascinates you, then go to the Planetarium of Brittany where many immersive shows await you. Embark on a space shuttle and explore the space with its infinity of stars and wonders. Thanks to a very powerful digital projection system, you only have to install yourself in your seat and lift your eyes to the sky: the journey starts! Ideal for families, the Brittany Planetarium is accessible to children from 7 years old.

6. The Breton beaches

How to visit the Côte de Granit Rose without evokeing the beaches? Indeed, let us not forget that Brittany is the region with the longest coastline. And on the Côte de Granit Rose, the beach has more original colours than elsewhere. With the singular rock, the sand is darker, but also the shoreline itself is much more rocky. This does not remove anything from the charm of these Breton beaches, on the contrary, they have more character. According to the winds, some of them are ideal for nautical activities such as windsurfing or windsurfing.

• Trestraou
• Penn an Hent Névez
• Saint-Guirec
• Toull-Bihan
• Goaz Trez

7. Lannion

This is the most important city in the Côte de Granit Rose. A true urban area, Lannion gathers more than 60,000 people on its urban area. But Lannion is also exceptional cultural and architectural heritages.

In its centre, many houses with so iconic doves and religious buildings such as the church of Saint-Jean-du-Baly. This last, dating from the 16th century, is classified as Historical Monuments! Also, don't miss the Vieux-Collège, very traditional, or the convent of the Augustines or Ursulines, both of the seventeenth century. You will also enjoy walking on the banks of Leguer, the river crossing the city of Lannion.

8. Streetnaer®, the 100% local electric machine

Streetnaer, késako? It is in fact a craft designed, designed and manufactured in Brittany by Jean-Christophe Chorlay. Passionate about its region, the Trégor, it offers electric hikes to visit the Côte de Granit Rose in an original way. Moreover, he offered himself as a guide during these hikes.

If you are unfamiliar with the gear, an initiation is dispensed first of all to the adventure. Very simple to take control, it is then with a feeling of freedom, connected•e•s by microphone, that you will discover the coast, its secrets and its history.

9. Trégastel Marine Aquarium

Under a maze of huge pink granite rocks, the Trégastel Marine Aquarium is illustrated by the originality of its site. Amidst the rocks, the aquarium offers you to discover many marine species in the Brittany region, including the very famous Breton lobster.

Three large spaces classify the species: the Embruns, the Marées and the Deep. Three different living environments, recreated to the pink rock, so that the species that live there are not disturbed. The Trégastel Aquarium also organizes group-discovered trips, workshops or meetings with professionals.

10. Small cities of character

Visiting the Côte de Granit Rose is not only limited to the beauty of the coastal rocks. Indeed, it should be remembered that the region is full of architectural magnificence, including the well-known Petites Cités de Caractère®. The Côte de Granit Rose counts two of them: La Roche-Derrien and Tréguier. At 6 kilometers each other, they are quite different.

The first, prospering until the twentieth century, contains vestiges of the region’s medieval past. The other, former capital of the Trégor and home of the arts, will delight you with its many typical wooden houses.

11. Bike along the coast

Nothing like visiting the Côte de Granit Rose by bike! And for this, discover the Velek’tro, the electric bike of the Lannion-Trégor agglomeration, available for rent. Like the Paris Vélib’, easily rent your bike with electric assistance and go to the coast by bike! There are more than 30 rental points, and this is available at the day, week, or month.

In a nearby register, discover the Vélomaritime®. It is a route of almost 1500 kilometers from the Channel (Roscoff) to the North Sea (Dunkerque). A perfect idea to discover the Côte de Granit Rose, because a small part of the way along, between Lannion and Tréguier.

12. La Pointe de Bihit (Trébeurden)

To the west of Trebeurden, find the Pointe de Bihit, a window on the Breton horizon. Come and discover an incredible panorama of the bay and the Breton coasts. You can take a walk, but be careful, some places will require extra vigilance.

From the tip, admire the surrounding nature, and above all, wait for sunset and enjoy the colors that the coast will then coat...

13. Visit local brewery

The Brittany region is very proud of its know-how and culinary traditions, whether food or drink. The bretonne beers and cider make the region famous, known for the quality of its beverages.

So, to go a little further, why not visit a brewery or cider shop? Institutions such as the Philomenn Brewery (Treguier) or KarArFol (Pleumeur-Bodou) open their doors for a visit to the back of the decor. Also, at the end of the visit, do not miss the tasting that comes punctuating your discovery of flavors!

14. The menhirs of the Côte de Granit Rose

If you are looking for an unheard concentration of standing stones, this is not the right place, you will have to go to Carnac. Indeed, on the Côte de Granit Rose, the menhirs are solitary, they are monoliths. As the menhir of Saint-Uzec, not far from Pleumeur-Bodou, astonishing by its height (7 meters) and the many sculptures around it.

Otherwise, north of Trebeurden, discover the Menhir of Toëno, which the sea comes to erode to each high tide. It is the vestige of a time when the sea level was lower and which, today, continues to rise.

How do I go to the Côte de Granit Rose?

The car

By car, follow the roads to Morlaix (Finistère) or Saint-Brieuc (Côtes-d’Armor). The same National N12 connects the two cities with each other. Then follow the D786 from Morlaix or the D6 from Saint-Brieuc.

The plane

Only a few airfields or airports dedicated to private activities exist around the world. So to fly, you will have to choose the airports of Brest , Quimper , Lorient or Rennes . The closest being that of Brest, at 1h30 drive, the others are all located about 2 hours away.

Comparative sites of flights as well Skyscanner let you find the best deals on the flights for your stay.

The train

By train, visit the Côte de Granit Rose from Paris, for example, takes only 3h15 (Paris Montparnasse). Many direct TGVs serve the station of Lannion. Then, Brittany has a very operational railway network, it is convenient to move there.

The coach

And finally, the coach is an excellent way to get on the coast. In addition, it is very financially economical. National companies cross Brittany every day to make tourism possible.

Then, on site, the Côte de Granit Rose area is pretty well served, with lines linking Perros-Guirec, Trégastel and Trébeurden from Lannion.

Where to stay on the Côte de Granit Rose?

Despite everything we say, Brittany is a very tourist area. Indeed, many are those who want to take the fresh and marine air so famous in the region. So, with regard to housing, the Bretons have organized and offer a wide range of solutions . Along the Côte de Granit Rose, cities and towns like Lannion, Perros-Guirec Morlaix or Plougasnou open their arms. They are this advantage of being close to the sea, and therefore, to offer you magnificent Breton panoramas.

Then you can choose: do you prefer the hotel, the bed and breakfast, the lodging, the AirBnB or even the campsite? The development of tourism in Brittany has enabled this deployment of solutions. We advise you to always check on one Compare hotels to find the best prices for your stay. It is sometimes enough to find the rare pearl!

Finally, if you are looking for an unusual accommodation on the Côte de Granit Rose, discover Tonn’o Loisirs In Ploemeur-Bodou. It is actually a park of Scandinavian-inspired wood huts. Ideal for couples, these huts promise privacy and comfort, all in a wooded and bucolic setting.