The 13 essential things to do in Saint-Brieuc

Are you going to the Côtes-d’Armor? Here is our list of the best things to do in Saint-Brieuc!

Cap sur la Bretagne et un de ses fleurons, la ville de Saint-Brieuc. Blottie in the eponymous bay, on the edge of the Channel, it does not lack charm with its paved streets lined with houses with encorbellements and wooden panels.

But Saint-Brieuc, it’s not just an exceptional heritage, it’s also a great playground and parks that encourage the walk. Zoom on things to do in Saint-Brieuc!

1. Spread in the city centre

The time goes back to the medieval era by looking at the old Saint-Brieuc. Amateur photographers give themselves to heart joy with the shaded houses that bloom between the position in linen and place Louis Guilloux . They score a stop in front of the Maison du Ribeault , the oldest of the city, to excite in front of its encorbellment and sculpted decorations.

We're also walking around place du Matray , whose halls encourage a little break, before taking the pulse of bars and cafes place du Chai .

2. Visit the Cathedral of Saint Stephen

Central point around which the city, the Saint-Etienne Cathedral is one of the must-sees in Saint-Brieuc. Built between the 13th and 18th century, it is one of the few fortified churches in Brittany and is classified historic monument .

If its façade is already impressed in itself, it is inside that it reveals its most beautiful assets. The delicate statue of the glove, the colorful stained-glass windows, one of which represents scenes of the Old Testament, the colossal organ and the altar are truly worth a visit.

3. Shop in the streets of Saint-Guillaume and Charbonnerie

Shopping heart of the city, streets Saint-Guillaume and Charbonnerie are in good place in this list of things to do in Saint-Brieuc. Enter the craft shops to offer you local faiencerie or biscuits. Between two shops, raise your eyes: these two streets have for a common point buildings testifying to the Art Deco current, with floral motifs, rounded corners and ironwork.

Nor is it rare to debust frescoes street art : the artists here express themselves on the walls of the city. To learn more about this art, know that it is possible to participate in guided tours.

4. Visit the chapel of the Maison Saint-Yves

With this new must-see in Saint-Brieuc, we remain in heritage and art. Built in 1927, the chapel of the Maison Saint-Yves has long been a place of life and study for hundreds of seminarians.

We push its doors to discover a fresco colossal, which recounts the arrival of the Monne Brieuc In the bay. It is extasy in front of the mosaics of Odorico, the rich furniture and the long library that contains ancient books. The frescoes of Xavier de Langlais are a feast for the eyes.

Good to know: Every Tuesday and Thursday during the holidays, volunteers organize guided tours.

5. Visit Villa Rohannec’h

To register urgently on the list of must-sees to do in Saint-Brieuc, the villa Rohannec’h and its park of 7 hectares. In Italian inspiration, it is somewhat surprising in the Breton landscape, with its ochre and pink hues. Its façade remains remarkable! It is not possible to visit the interior of the building, which is occupied by artists in residence, except on rare occasions.

The park is in free access and offers a beautiful strolling space between the high city and the port. Here the sequoias cohabits the blue cedars, ferns and cypresses of Lambert. Get on the trails to admire the sea view and descend to your rhythm on the marina of the Legate.

6. Discover the Musée de la Briquèterie

Here’s another must to do in Saint-Brieuc if you’re a feru of history. At the heart of a beautiful park, this museum tells you the industrial past of the city, which was organized around the tiles and brickwork. Night of lights in September is one of the highlights of the place, with the tour in Petit Train (which allowed the economic growth of the North Coast) and the shows.

7. Visit the Museum of Art and History

The museum of France has been labeled as a museum of France, dedicated to the arts, archaeology and popular traditions of the region. The paintings from the 17th to the beginning of the 20th century come from great names like Jean-François Hue, Guillaume Fouace, Georges Clairin and Etienne Bouillé. Remarkable, the collection of photographer Lucien Bailly includes some 10,000 prints . An impossible to do in Saint-Brieuc!

8. Walk in the parks of the city

We leave behind the museums to win the outdoors in the different parks that the city has. Know that it has 4 flowers and the Golden Flower Trophy for its floral decorations and landscaped spaces.

We score a first stop at Parc des promenades , ideal if you are looking for what to do in Saint-Brieuc with children. Between trees and sculptures there is a beautiful playground of 500 m2 and a squatepark.

Cap then on the Gouédic valley , considered the green lung of the city. Here you walk and ride a bike on the sandy path, or you settle comfortably to read in the shade of trees.

Let's finish it. Ty Coat Park , which contains 1,850 m2 of roses, an ornamental basin and games for children.

9. Walk the path of the Douaniers

We're getting high with it. Customs trail a must-see in Saint-Brieuc. The GR34 stretches for 2,000 kilometres Mont-Saint-Michel In Saint-Nazaire, but for the portion that interests us, you will endlessly contemplate the breathtaking views it offers. Between steep reliefs and beaches with turquoise water, beauty is omnipresent.

10. Spend an evening on the port of Legion

To get back from your emotions, we take the direction of port , an immanquable to do in Saint-Brieuc. The most beautiful way to get there is by the Gouédic valley!

Install on the terrace in front of a colorful facade and observe the round of boats and passers-by.

11. Go on a cruise around Saint-Brieuc

It would be a shame not to enjoy the opening of the city on the sea! If you're still wondering what to do in Saint-Brieuc, we'll answer you: one boat ride . On the programme, enchanting places whose name invites to dream: the island of Bréhat, the archipelago of the 7 islands, the Cape of Erquy – Cap Fréhel and the bay of Saint-Brieuc.

12. Water activities

Among the other must-sees to be made in Saint-Brieuc for water sports charters, here are:

• stand up paddle: to slide at its rhythm on blue waters;
• kayaking: an unmistakable family;
• the windsurfing: you take advantage of the winds to learn about this sliding sport;
• the catamaran: you will find yourself on a land of browsers, take some sailing lessons or for a walk accompanied by a skipper!

13. Observe the birds of the Nature Reserve

35,000 birds de 112 species are to be discovered here. Ornithologists can give themselves to joy!

So, where are we going to contemplate them? On the strikes of Langueux, at the place known as the Cage in Hillion, at the tip of the Grouin or on the dunes of Bon-Abri.

From October to March, it is the limicoles that come to land around the Baie de Saint-Brieuc. Meet the swans, ducks and geese between November and February!

And also

• Enjoy the large beaches of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Binic-Étables and Plérin;
• Turn around the most beautiful views of the bay;
• Admire the viaducts of Harel de la Noë.

What to eat in Saint-Brieuc?

Visiting Saint-Brieuc is finally enjoying local gastronomy, between land and sea. We opt for a dish first Coco de Paimpol , one of the specialties of Saint-Brieuc. Unlike what its name suggests, it is not a tropical fruit, but a sort of half-sec white beans, with a delicious taste of hazelnut. It is collected from mid-July to mid-October, after about 90 days of growing, and taste hot, cold, salad or foam.

Other gastronomic specialty of Saint-Brieuc: crustaceans and seafood. The star product is here bouchot mould , harvested at low tide by passionate mytiliculters. Its delicate flavour, which perfectly accompanies the other sweets of the plateau: oysters, gambas, Santiago and local fish.

Alternative for carnivores: the famous Black wheat cake , garnished with a sausage of Saint-Brieuc, which is enjoyed by walking.

We conclude the meal with the wide range of cheeses from the Côtes d’Armor including:

• mozza BreizhBufflonne milk;
• Tomme du Néveta cow cheese with raw milk;
• The ♪a goat cheese with raw milk;
• The timanoix, which as its name suggests, is flavored with nuts;
• The ti Guéméné, a cheese parsed with pieces of coal;
• Timad trapper, delicate taste of hazelnut.

Where to eat in Saint-Brieuc?

• restaurant The Admiral, which offers delicious Santiago and vegetarian cuisine;
• to the crêperie des promenadesto taste pancakes, cakes and seafood;
• restaurant the air of time, if we want to offer a bistronomical bracket. This establishment has been present in the Michelin and Gault Millau guide for more than 10 years!

How to get to Saint-Brieuc?

There is no airport in Saint-Brieuc, the closest are in Rennes and Brest. A comparison of flights as Skyscanner you will find a cheap flight ticket. Once in these cities, you can reach Saint-Brieuc by car, TGV or TER.

From Paris, you will arrive in Saint-Brieuc in just over 2 hours thanks to the TGV. The bus option is also possible from Paris-Bercy, but it is much longer: 7 hours!

Where to stay in Saint-Brieux?

From the charming hotel to the bed and breakfast, to the campsite: the whole panel of economic and high-end accommodation is offered in Saint-Brieuc and around.

The rate of nights in hotels from 2 to 4 stars varies greatly. Use one Compare hotels to find the offer at the best price!

If you want to immerse yourself in local life, choose the guest room! Many are installed in remarkable buildings! If, on the contrary, you want to keep your privacy, choose accommodation Airbnb .