Erquy: Nature, History and Water Sports

Erquy appeals to visitors with a range of interests: protected nature at Cap d’Erquy, the history of pink sandstone, historic places to visit, and supervised water sports activities. These interests bring different priorities to trip planning.

Nature at Cap d’Erquy

Cap d’Erquy covers 170 hectares and is a protected natural area that is part of the Natura 2000 network. Several kilometres of paths have been created there for environmentally responsible tourism. If you would like to explore the landscape on foot, this is a distinct focus for your trip planning. Routes and access may change locally, so check the latest conditions before setting out. At the Cap, the figures describe different things: 170 hectares is the area of the protected site, while several kilometres refers to the paths created there for environmentally responsible tourism.

The origins of the Lacs bleus are also part of the landscape’s history: they were formed by quarrying pink sandstone from the cliffs above Erquy harbour. This offers a different perspective from the protected area at the Cap: here, the focus is on sandstone extraction; there, on protected nature and paths.

Historic Sites and Reasons to Visit

Château de Bienassis has been listed as a historic monument since 29 August 1945. Visitors can see the ornamental garden, the older section of the stables, and the chapel by the fortified walls. Access and tour arrangements may change. Check the latest visiting information before finalising your plans for the excursion.

Chapelle Saint-Michel is now a visitor attraction with guided tours. Another reason to visit is the Pardon de la Chapelle Saint-Pabu, held on the third Sunday in July. The arrangements may change; if you are travelling specifically for this event, check the information for the year you plan to visit. The dates have different purposes: 1945 refers to Château de Bienassis’s historic monument listing, while the third Sunday in July is the date of the Pardon.

Supervised Water Sports Activities

The Centre Nautique d’Erquy offers bookable introductory sessions in a range of water sports, supervised by an instructor. There are also supervised introductory sessions in land sailing, led by a qualified instructor. The open-kayak discovery tours have a different focus: they go from the harbour to the wild beaches at Cap d’Erquy. The options therefore differ in format, from a tour with a specified destination to a supervised introductory land-sailing session.

Specific activities and booking arrangements may change. For kayak tours, this also applies to dates and age requirements; for land sailing, equipment and session details may vary. Check the Centre Nautique’s latest information before booking to make sure the activity fits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Maël-Carhaix, Pouldouran, Plouër-Sur-Rance, Vildé-Guingalan, Saint-Bihy, La Motte, Sévignac, Trezelan.

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