The 22 things to do in the Côtes-d’Armor

Want to calm and authenticity? Come and discover the 24 essential things to visit in the Côtes-d’Armor!

Want to live from sea and fresh water? Come and visit the Côtes d’Armor!

Far from overcrowded sites and places that have lost their identity, the Côtes d’Armor seduced by their uniqueness and character, but also by their peaceful and sometimes unreal atmosphere. If you love nature and history, the sea and the countryside, sport and gastronomy, picturesque villages with rich past and unusual sites, you will be seduced by your stay in the Côtes d’Armor!

Located in the north of the Brittany region, this department has real natural wealth and many vestiges of a time when religion was being built with this territory. Between Armor, the land of the coast, and Argoat, the land of the woods, the Côtes d’Armor are a contrasting department.

1. The coast of Granit Rose, Ploumanac’h and the City of Telecoms

Visit the Côtes d’Armor without crossing the coast of Granit Rose? Unthinkable! This part is truly the uncontourable part of your stay. Located in the extreme west of the department, it is amazed by the unique forms of its carved rocks and by their copper shade that illuminates the landscape. It extends over fifteen kilometers from Trebeurden to Perros-Guirec.

Make a stop in Trégastel to swim or visit the aquarium. Then make a leap in time to discover the remains of the Paleolithic in Pleumeur-Bodou. Closer to us, the commune also contains traces of Antiquity.

Between menhirs and Gaulish village, history lovers will be delighted! However, technology lovers will be seduced by discovering the history of telecoms in the City of the telecoms and its Radôme.

While Perros-Guirec is the city often associated with this coastal area, Ploumanac’h remains the most charming site. You can visit the emblematic Ploumanac’h lighthouse, which stands proudly against the often agitated waves. Ploumanac’h is also the starting point of the Customs Trail, a mythical circuit of nearly nine kilometers.

This loop will allow you to discover jewels of the local historical heritage, but also natural, and to pass through Perros-Guirec. In this city, do not miss the visit of the thermal baths, the historical museum and the church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur.

2. The Seven Islands

Visiting the Côtes d’Armor supposes to take the sea, at a time when to another! The archipelago of the Seven Islands is another gem of the department. This natural reserve is home to almost thirty species of birds, including the wild of Bassan and the macareux.

The shuttles to the Seven Islands take place in Perros-Guirec, Trégastel or from Ploumanac’h.

3. Milliau and Molène

Always on the Côte de Granit Rose, off Trebeurden, discover Milliau and Molène, viscerally Breton islands.

For those who do not have the sea foot, stay on the continent and follow a hiking trail that will pass you through marshes and forests, about twenty kilometers away.

4. Paimpol

Paimpol is a lovely little town, which tends to develop, but which has kept its soul from fishing village. Walk through the streets and alleys, and admire the facades of the adorable stone houses or the beautiful houses of former shipowners.

If you have chosen to visit the Côtes d’Armor at the beginning of August, don’t miss the Marine Song Festival. This is an event highlighting every two years the songs of sailors in a region of the globe and the old riggings. This gathering is also an opportunity to attend concerts.

5. The island of Bréhat

Visit the Côtes d’Armor imposes on discovering the island with flowers! Embark on the island of Bréhat from the small port of Ploubazlanec, located on the tip of the Arcouëst, just a few kilometers from Paimpol. Before leaving the mainland, discover the Château de la Roche Jagu and the Abbey of Beauport. Once on the archipelago, let magic work!

The Isle of Bréhat will conquer you: only walks, traditional houses, steep coasts, remains of the military and maritime past, tide mill and, of course, the myriads of flowers! If you visit the island between April and September, you can only be charmed by the incredible variety of plants that populate the places and on which the famous agapanthe reigns as master. This horticulture richness is explained in particular by the amazing microclimate enjoyed by the archipelago.

6. Cape Fréhel

Cap Fréhel is an incredible natural site, classified as the Natura 2000 site, like the Cap d’Erquy. Walk on one of the beaches of this course, breathe the sea air and face the power of the sea.

Rarely invaded by tourists, Cape Fréhel is a wonderful opportunity to enter into communion with nature and to leave behind the tracas of everyday life. If you do not resist the desire to taste the water, prefer the beach of Sable-d’Or-les-Pins, where the fine sand of a shade of ochre slice with blue sea and green hills.

7. Fort-la-Latte

If you visit the Côtes d’Armor, just a few kilometers from Sable-d’Or. Then continue your discovery of Cape Fréhel and admire the Anglo-Norman Islands from the Fort Latte site. This 14th century castle will impress you by its state of conservation and by the striking atmosphere of the place.

8. Erquy

Adorable seaside resort, Erquy is the strategic point of the cap of the same name. Walk on the streets of this typical little town and don't leave it without having tasted the local speciality: the Saint-Jacques shells!

9. GR®34

Corsica has its GR®20, Brittany has GR®34! Small and large adventurers can therefore visit the Côtes d’Armor! This hiking path is not concentrated on the Côtes d’Armor, and even less on the Cap Fréhel-Cap d’Erquy. It begins in fact Mont-Saint-Michel , to end in Saint-Nazaire.

However, there is a particularly pleasant circuit to follow. It leaves Erquy and runs along a part of the wild coast, between sandstone cliffs, green moors and emerald sea.

10. The medieval city of Dinan

What to visit in the Côtes d’Armor? Take a getaway to Dinan! If the department is more known for its wild coasts and its villages of character, you can’t make the impasse on the discovery of this medieval town with a Breton identity.

Swim in the alleys of the historic centre, walk to the port by taking the street of Jerzual, admire the view of the Rance from the city walls and let yourself be charmed by the adorable half-timbered houses. Have you ever dreamed of living a knight's life? The holiday of the ramparts that takes place in July is then a must.

Dive into a medieval atmosphere the time of a weekend, between tournaments and parades. Enjoy your visit to Dinan to visit the charming village of Léhon, located just two kilometers from the city.

11. Saint-Brieuc and the beaches of Saint-Quay-Portrieux

The city

For city lovers, the Côtes d’Armor are not just wild and isolated sites. Saint-Brieuc is a dynamic and modern city, located less than 2h15 from Paris . Visit the historic centre and go shopping on Rue Saint-Guillaume, before lunch in a Breton restaurant!

Saint-Brieuc Bay

Want to swim? If Brittany does not always have a good reputation for the weather, these assertions do not always check, and it is rather nice to swim on one of the beaches of Saint-Brieuc Bay: Binic, Saint-Quay-Portrieux or Pléneuf-Val-André.

The seaside resorts on this coast have nothing in common with those on the French coast. In human size, the seaside cities of Saint-Brieuc Bay are more family and intimate. During the Grande Marées, put your swimsuit away and prefer a bucket, boots, a knife and a depletion, to go on a walk!

Also go to admire the cliffs of the Baie de Saint-Brieuc which are the highest in Brittany. Their heights reach 104 meters high!

12. Le haras de Lamballe

The Haras de Lamballe is one of the most important things to do to visit the Côtes d’Armor. Accompanied by a guide, you will discover the Haras: its centenary stables, saddleries, Breton horses or cavalry.

From July 21st to August 25th on Thursdays of the Haras during which horse shows, guided tours or pony baptism are offered. A playful activity to be done with family or friends!

13. Lake Guerlédan

When you go to the Côtes d’Armor, take a break at Lake Guerlédan. so you can taste the deep nature by cutting off any sign of human life. The center of the department is a true haven of peace, neglected by the inhabitants who preferred to settle on the coast.

Lake Guerlédan is an example of these remote sites where it is not common to find a living soul! The lake is an artificial lake, the largest in Brittany. Surrounded by forests, it offers a wide choice of trails to walk or mountain biking. It is also possible to venture into a canoe or to make a mini-crusière featured.

Enjoy your visit to Lake Guerlédan to visit the Abbey of Bon Repos, the Forges des Salles or continue your walk on the Nantes Canal in Brest. The sportiest will also be able to try horseback riding, climbing, waterskiing, kayaking or paddle.

14. La Vallée des Saints

Lake Guerlédan is one of the starting points of the Saints Valley. It extends to Mount Arrée and houses more than one hundred statues of all nature. They are only the first results of an architectural project led by the association of the Valley of the Saints who wish to dress this area of thousand sculptures, due to a handful of new specimens each year.

The aim is to promote Breton culture, especially religious. Brittany is indeed a region in which religion has played an important role. It was founded by seven saints from Wales and Cornwall.

15. The Renote peninsula

Located north of Trégastel, the Renote peninsula is suitable for walking. Walk four kilometers through a wild vegetation, adorned with rose granite rocks that dominate a turquoise sea. The circuit is fast, since you can finish the loop in an hour.

This walk is therefore a great opportunity to discover a little corner of paradise with ease!

16. The town of character of Tréguier

Tréguier is located at the confluence of Jaudy and Guindy, about 20 kilometres west of Paimpol. Small town of character, it is marked by its religious history, which has left many footprints around the city.

Tréguier also has all the architectural advantages of a Breton town in the region: shaded houses, small streets, stone houses or elegant houses, colourful shutters, etc.

17. Pontrieux

Visit the Côtes d’Armor by believing in Italy, don’t you believe it? This small Costa Rican town nestled in the hollows of trees yet has airs of Venice . Coupled in two by the Tréguier, this city of Trégor releases a soothing atmosphere.

Fold in the marina before you sail on the river, aboard a star that will let you discover the many lavoirs that border the waters.

18. The medieval village of Moncontour

Located less than thirty kilometers south of Saint-Brieuc, Montcontour is one of the most beautiful villages in France . You can admire the ramparts and towers of this medieval city perched on a hill, before you lose yourself in the alleys, looking for the most beautiful houses with doves or the most impressive bourgeois houses.

19. Le Gouffre de Plougrescant

Is it raining and selling during your stay in the Côtes d’Armor? Take advantage of it to go to observe the sea that goes unleashing in the Bay of Hell! Located about ten kilometers north of Treguier, the Gouffre de Plougrescant is a natural curiosity to discover only a day of storm.

If not, you would be surprised at the serenity of the place and would not understand where the site draws its name! But visiting the Côtes d’Armor is confronting the power of the elements!

20. Water activities

If it is departments where water sports are kings, the Côtes d’Armor is a favourite. Whether you prefer surfing in Cape Fréhel, walking fishing in the bay of Saint-Brieuc, mini-cruisières in shuttles along the Côte de Granit Rose or sailing out from Paimpol, you will only have the embarrassment of choice.

The conditions are also ideal on many beaches to try the sail tank, surf or kite-surfing.

Rent a boat

You can also opt for one boat rental in the Côtes-d’Armor . With or without a skipper, you can discover the department and its coasts freely.

Moreover, some of the places mentioned above are accessible by boat. Arriving by the sea would make your visit even more magical.

21. The bretonne gastronomy

What to do in Brittany? Eat cakes with a good bowl of cider! Enjoying a guilty pleasure by tasting kouign-amann ! Nor can you get out of the department without having tasted a delicious seafood tray or tasty scallops. Definite love!

22. The Valley of Faoudel

Visiting the Côtes d’Armor is not just discovering the coastline. Go to the Argoat by sinking into the Costa Rican lands, looking for enchanting valleys. The Valley of Faoudel is an old railway track that has become an ideal hiking trail.

Lost in the region of Saint-Nicolas-du-pelem, this site plunges you into the most charming and mysterious Breton countryside, where basaltic chaos takes the form of strange characters.

How to get to the Côtes d’Armor?

The simplest way to get to the Côtes d’Armor is undoubtedly the train . Since work between Le Mans and Rennes , you connect Paris to Saint-Brieuc in just 2h20 on average. You only have to rent then a car at the SNCF station .

By car, count about 4h30 from Paris to St-Brieuc and 5h15 to go to Perros-Guirec. The Paris-Dinan route takes less than 4 hours. Here are some ideas of travel durations, once in the department:

• From St-Brieuc to Perros-Guirec : 1h ;
• Or St-Brieuc in Paimpol: 40 min;
• St-Brieuc-Dinan: 45 min;
• Or St-Brieuc-Guerlédan: 40 min;
• Dinan-Perros-Guirec : 1h35.

Where to stay in the Côtes d’Armor?

Loger to Saint-Brieuc is both friendly and central. You can indeed go to different locations in the department without exceeding an hour's drive. Opt for the historic quarter, or those of Glinglin, Plateau or Gouëdic. The district of Legué is also pleasant, with its small port.

If you prefer to travel by roaming, you will enjoy spending a night in the historical district of Dinan, in a hotel overlooking the port of Paimpol, in the old town of Lannion or by sinking into the country of Argoat in search of a Airbnb . Do not hesitate to use a hotel comparison to find the solution that best suits you.

What are you waiting to visit the Côtes-d’Armor?