Perros-Guirec: Coastal Paths, Pink Granite and Culture

When looking for hotels in Perros-Guirec, first plan the experiences you want to shape your stay. Coastal paths and pink granite, beaches, historic buildings and trips out on the water offer different ways to explore the area.

Buildings and the history of tourism

The Chapelle Saint-Guirec dates from the 17th century, was enlarged in 1938 and retains a three-lobed arched window from the 15th century. Construction of the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Clarté began as early as 1445. Both the chapel and its enclosing wall are listed as historic monuments. Their different construction periods and the surviving window offer concrete points of interest for your cultural itinerary if you are interested in architectural history.

Trestraou Beach is also linked to the development of tourism in Perros-Guirec. This includes the fashion for seaside bathing, the opening of the first hotel in 1886 and the arrival of the railway in 1906. At this beach, the coastal landscape is therefore connected with the history of travel and the development of the resort. These milestones belong to different periods of history: the first hotel opened in the 19th century, and the railway arrived later.

Hiking between the sea and pink granite

The Sentier des Douaniers, also known as the GR34, passes through landscapes by the sea in Ploumanac’h and takes in cultural and natural heritage. For planning your day, it offers a way to combine exercise with exploring the landscape and culture. Trail conditions can vary; check the current situation before setting out.

Les sentiers de Ploumanac’h is described as a route marked in yellow and recognised by the FFRP. It passes through historic and maritime heritage and striking pink granite formations. When choosing your hike, you can weigh up different aspects: the GR34 focuses on seascapes, culture and nature, while the markings and granite formations are also among the defining features of Les sentiers de Ploumanac’h.

Beaches, tides and exhibitions

Trestrignel Beach has fine sand and is bounded by Pointe du Sphinx and Pointe du Château. At Saint-Guirec Beach, low tide is a good time to observe the rich wildlife in the intertidal zone. If this interests you, plan your visit around the time of low tide. The two beaches offer different experiences: fine sand and headlands at one, and life in the intertidal zone at the other.

The Maison du Littoral has permanent and temporary exhibitions about the Ploumanac’h area and the Sentier des Douaniers. They can add background on the landscape and trail to a hike or outing. As the temporary exhibition programme may change, it is worth checking what is currently on before your visit.

Boat trips and a closer look at the sea

Armor Navigation offers guided boat trips from Perros-Guirec to the Sept-Îles along the Côte de Granit rose. These trips share historical, geological and ornithological knowledge about the coast, combining time on the water with information on different aspects of the coastal landscape.

An outing on the fishing boat Sant C’Hireg includes sailing and taking part in manoeuvres, as well as fishing, observing plankton and exploring the marine environment. By comparison, Armor Navigation’s guided trips focus on sharing knowledge about the coast. Activities aboard the fishing boat offer a different way to experience the sea. Operating times for both options may change; check the latest schedule in advance.

Another way to learn about the processing of regional produce is to visit Cidrerie Le Verger de Kernivinen free of charge. The different stages of apple processing are explained there, and the visit ends with a tasting. As visiting arrangements may change, it is best to check the current details in advance.

Plan your stay around your interests

Information about the trails, beaches, buildings and activities gives you different options for planning your days, and not all the activities are alike. Schedule tours and exhibitions for suitable dates, and take low tide into account when observing the intertidal zone.

Discover more destinations: Plessala, Loscouët-Sur-Meu, Bringolo, Louannec, Coatascorn, Kergrist-Moëlou, Plouguiel, Mantallot.

Return to the main travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.