Discover Hillion: Nature, Trails and Heritage

Hillion combines a protected coastal landscape with nature experiences, cycling routes and historic buildings. As a destination, it offers a blend of nature, activity and architectural history. These themes are particularly tangible at the Réserve Naturelle de la Baie de Saint-Brieuc, through the Maison de la Baie’s activities, and at several historic buildings.

Coastal Nature and Nature Education

The entire coastline of the commune of Hillion is part of the Réserve Naturelle de la Baie de Saint-Brieuc. This directly links the coastal character of the area with the protected reserve. For travellers who take nature into account when choosing a destination, this connection is a defining feature of Hillion.

The Maison de la Baie presents Hillion’s natural heritage in a museum. It also offers panoramic views of the sea, dunes and landscape. Nature education and views of the landscape provide complementary ways to explore the area’s natural heritage.

The Maison de la Baie offers numerous nature excursions throughout the year. Their themes range from shellfish farming and coastal animals to birds, reptiles, amphibians and plankton. This wide range brings together different aspects of coastal nature and makes the excursions interesting for travellers with a particular interest in wildlife or plankton.

The ornithological observatory at Pointe d’Illemont offers an opportunity to discover the wildlife protected by the Réserve. The GR 34 offers a different perspective on the area: it can be used to explore the Hillion peninsula. The two points of interest therefore differ in their focus on wildlife and the peninsula, respectively.

Cycling and Trail Routes

Hillion also offers clear guidance for choosing a route. EuroVelo Route 4 passes through the commune. The Tour de Manche, a 1,200 km French-British circular cycling route, also runs through Hillion. It places the route through the commune in a wider context: both its circular format and its French-British course are part of what defines this route.

Hillion’s Espace Trail comprises four permanently signposted routes ranging from 8 to 25 km, as well as three dedicated training areas. The different route lengths provide a clear range of options, while the training areas add another designated focus to the trail offering.

Historic Buildings in Hillion

The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Hillion has Romanesque origins dating to the late 11th century. Notable features include a watchtower used for defence and loopholes. The church’s Romanesque history and the tower’s defensive use are two distinct aspects of the same building.

The Chapelle Saint-Laurent in Les Ponts-Neufs has its own clearly dated building history: it was built in 1572, and its gable was rebuilt in 1629. It was restored in 1931 and again at the end of the 20th century. This sequence shows that later alterations, as well as the original construction, form part of the chapel’s history.

The Calvaire de Bonabry is located in Vieille Croix, at the entrance to the avenue leading to the Bonabry manor house. It dates from the second half of the 16th century and is protected under French heritage law. Its position at the entrance to the avenue and its protected historic status give it a different character from the two religious buildings, whose construction and restoration phases are described above.

Discover more destinations: La Malhoure, Mellionnec, Saint-Martin-Des-Prés, Landébia, Léhon, Saint.-Servais, Saint-Launeuc, Mégrit

Return to the wider travel guide: Côtes-D’armor.