Belle-Isle-En-Terre: Nature, Rivers and Heritage

Belle-Isle-En-Terre can be explored through its waterways, trails and architectural history. A wide variety of themes are available to help you plan your trip: aquariums and river habitats, routes for outdoor activities, and churches, chapels and historic sites. You can choose whether you want your stay to focus more on nature, cycling, hiking or heritage.

Explore rivers and trails

The Curieux de Nature Aquarium has ten freshwater and estuary aquariums. It invites you to discover Breton rivers in a fun way, from their source to the sea. The number of aquariums may change during renovations; check the current opening arrangements before making firm plans to visit. Also devoted to aquatic habitats, the Centre Régional d’Initiation à la Rivière in Belle-Isle-En-Terre is a place to discover and learn about them, and organises themed outings for summer visitors. Its seasonal programme may vary.

If you would like to explore by bicycle, the Sports & Nature centre offers a 16-kilometre route, available since April 2021. It follows quiet roads and well-maintained paths and is intended for all abilities and types of bicycle, including mountain bikes, touring bikes and electric bikes. Check route conditions before setting off. The centre also offers a programme of around thirty activities, including nature activities, workshops and Rand’eau; this programme is also seasonal. The signposted network of trails covers 200 kilometres and is organised by difficulty and experience level. It is suitable for families, hikers, sports enthusiasts and professionals.

The Forêt de Coat-an-Noz et Coat-an-Hay Natura 2000 site has trails for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. Two botanical trails can be explored at the foot of the Château de Coat an Noz. There are several ways to experience the area on foot or by bike; check the conditions for each route before setting off.

Châteaux, church and chapel

The Château de Coat an Noz brings together several chapters of local history. It was built in the mid-19th century on the remains of an older fortified site, the Manoir de La Bosse. In 1929, industrialist Robert Mond bought the château for his wife, who was known as Lady Mond. The botanical trails at the foot of the château offer another way to explore the local plant life.

The Château de Belle-Isle tells a different story: it was probably built in the 12th century at the behest of the Counts of Brittany. Today, only the platform and traces of an urban fortification remain. The site is spread across several private properties and is used as a garden. If you plan to visit, check access arrangements in advance.

The parish church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur was built in its main construction phase in the last quarter of the 19th century and designed by architect Ernest Le Guerranic. The setting of the Chapelle Locmaria, also known as the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pendréo, above the Léguer valley shapes the impression the site makes. Its main feature is a polychrome wooden rood screen, whose frieze depicts twelve carved apostles. Belle-Isle-En-Terre is thus home to a variety of architectural periods and art forms.

Kernansquillec, fishing and the market

The Kernansquillec nature site is open to the public; check access arrangements before your visit. A themed trail at Kernansquillec tells the story of the site. The area reopened for catch-and-release fishing in May 2017. If fishing is part of your plans, check the current conditions locally. Another fishing spot is the Les Jardins du Guer route: it runs for 800 metres along the Léguer and is intended for beginners. As details of use may change, it is also advisable to check the latest information.

To get a taste of local produce, look out for the producers’ market in the covered market hall, where goods are sold on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7 pm. If you plan to visit the market, check the times in advance. Nature, local history and a regular weekly market offer different reasons to discover Belle-Isle-En-Terre.

Discover more destinations: Guitté, La Landec, Plouha, Trévron, Laniscat, Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché, Saint-Igeaux, Cohiniac

For the main travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.