50km of stunning coastline, from the dramatic to the idyllic
From Port Blanc to Buguélès it’s a paradise of tiny islands, creeks, rocks and sandy beaches, simply waiting for you to discover it. Here, low tides give you the chance to walk out across the seabed and step ashore the miniature islands that beckon from a distance. Above Penvenan sits the adorable little port of Buguelès, built on a peninsula. On the Route des Ajoncs d’or (the Road of Golden Gorse), you can get here at low tide when it’s possible to cross the ford of Gourmel cove.
Follow the creek to reach a tidal mill, a red highlight in the middle of this green-blue water, an iconic Breton colour. Only on these shores will the gulls call out the myths of Brittany, interrupted by the jealous shouts of black cormorants.
The coast here is jagged, and Castel-Meur is home to a famous collection of rocks where the wind howls through and the waves crash with abandon. It certainly makes an impression! A stretch of pebbles connects this rocky spot to the mainland. One of its most surprising and much-photographed sights is the tiny cottage (a private home) wedged between the rocks.
Next, the coast cuts inland with the River Jaudy, where you’ll find Tréguier the ‘little town of character’ with timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, a harbour and a lively market on Wednesday mornings. Heritage fans will appreciate the gothic cathedral with its 15th century cloisters, especially on the 3rd Sunday in May when they celebrate St Yves’ day with French bagpipes and organ.
This is an unmissable step in the Tro Breiz Trail (a Catholic tour of Brittany).
On the opposite river bank, don’t miss the Remarkable Garden of Kerdalo and, to complete your visit of this wild peninsula, look for the Sillon de Talbert.
This ‘sillon’ is a smile of sand and pebbles. A geological smile sitting in the sea. The Sillon de Talbert in the Côtes d’Armor is a curious, natural path of pebbles leading 3km out into the sea. It’s a fragile natural phenomenon that could disappear. Nearby, there’s the CEVA, where professionals study and promote one of Brittany’s natural treasures: seaweed. Make an appointment and they’ll explain all about seaweed’s rich heritage and promising future, with fabulous innovations in seaweed-based, biodegradable plastics. Discover no fewer than 600 varieties of seaweed in Brittany alone.
