During our Breton journey, we discovered magnificent and incredible places: Cap Fréhel and the visit to Fort La Latte are among them!
In this article, I take you to discover these two places facing each other, which are essential for a visit to Brittany.
- Presentation of Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel
- Practical tips for visiting Fort La Latte
- Practical advice for visiting Cap Fréhel
- Where to sleep to visit Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte?
- History of Fort La Latte
- My opinion on a visit to Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte
Presentation of Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel
First, let me introduce you to these two neighboring places. Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte are located on the magnificent Emerald Coast. Overlooking the sea, the view is incredible: from Bréhat to Pointe du Grouin. On a clear day, you can even see the Channel Islands.
Fauna and flora take advantage of an exceptional environment to develop.
Regarding Fort La Latte, a magnificent XNUMXth century castle is worth visiting. Perfectly preserved, very well renovated and maintained, we will see in the rest of this article how the visit takes place and what you can see at the Château de Fort La Latte.
As for Cap Fréhel, the view is breathtaking. An imposing lighthouse visible from afar is located on Cap Fréhel. The latter can also be visited, this is what we will see a little later in this article.
Practical tips for visiting Fort La Latte
Now that the introductions are done, let's talk about more practical aspects to visit Fort La Latte:
- How to get to Fort La Latte?
This Château is accessible by car. Parking is available to visitors. Once parked, you will have to walk a few more meters to reach the entrance to the Château.
For people with reduced mobility, a small shuttle can take you. Contact reception directly.
Another possibility to access this place: arrive by a hiking trail. Indeed, the GR34 for example, passes at the foot of the Castle.
- What is the price to visit Fort La Latte?
Admission to visit Fort La Latte is chargeable: the maintenance of such a building requires significant resources and this makes it possible to participate in the conservation of such a heritage. For an adult, the entrance will be 6,60€; for a student or job seeker, admission is €5,50; for a young person under 12, €4,40; Admission is free for children under 5 years old. - Where to buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale at the entrance to the Château only. - How long does the visit to Fort La Latte take?
This Castle is quite large and many buildings are to be visited. There are also explanatory panels and the view is worth taking our time to contemplate. All this to tell you that it will be necessary to count at least an hour to visit all of Fort La Latte. - What are the opening hours?
During the tourist season, from April to September, Fort La Latte is open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 18 p.m. It will close at 19 p.m. in July and August.
The rest of the year, the fort can only be visited in the afternoons and this, during weekends, public holidays and school holidays. If you want more details on the opening hours to the public, I invite you to visit the official site of Fort La Latte.
Here is a festival that is held every year, in August, in the heart of the Château de Fort La Latte. For 4 days, take a step back in history and immerse yourself in medieval times. On the program, many activities, craftsmen, shows, artists, musicians, … A very beautiful event which attracts more visitors and curious people every year! Watch for the next dates on the official website of the Grandes Médiévales de Fort La Latte.
Practical advice for visiting Cap Fréhel
Not far from Fort La Latte, I invite you to go to Cap Fréhel. This place is beautiful and offers you a breathtaking view. The vegetation, wind and spray, is exceptionally rich. If you visit Cap Fréhel from spring, you will have the chance to see lush vegetation typical of this region: gorse and flowering heather.
- Where to park in Cap Fréhel?
You have a car park just a few meters from the Cap Fréhel lighthouse. Please note that this car park is chargeable: €3 per car, €5 per motorhome and €1 per motorbike. - What to visit in Cap Fréhel?
The lighthouse located on this cape opens its doors to you: you can enjoy an exhibition presented at the entrance to the lighthouse; and you can also climb to the top of the lighthouse and admire the panoramic view from up there. Admission is €3 per adult and half price for children under 12.
Where to sleep to visit Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte?
These two places can be visited very easily during the day. About 1 hour by road from Saint-Malo, Saint-Brieuc or Dinan, Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte can be the subject of a stopover during a road trip in Brittany or an excursion per day depending on your accommodation.
In this article, I will present accommodation around Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte: whether it is accommodation for one night or for a long stay.
Sleep in a guest room to visit Fort La Latte
The guest rooms will be more numerous than the hotels around Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte. Here is my suggestion of establishments for this category:
Resnel Fountain
Located less than 20 minutes from Fort La Latte, this magnificent bed and breakfast is perfectly located. The welcome is charming in an old building perfectly renovated. The decoration is neat and warm. A safe bet for your stay in Brittany! Decoration, Hospitality, Location See prices
Laboucaliniere
This is a second establishment located about twenty minutes also from Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel. It is also an old house which has been tastefully renovated. You will appreciate the welcome of the hosts as well as the breakfast offered, based on fresh, local and homemade products. The rooms are large and comfortable. Another great place to stay to visit Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel. Welcome, Location, Decoration See rates
Bed and Breakfast Frehel
This last guesthouse is also located about 20 minutes by car from Fort La Latte. This small, unpretentious establishment welcomes you in a calm and ideal setting. Your host will be happy to advise you on your visit to the surroundings. You will also have the chance to taste his homemade pancakes for breakfast. The rooms are comfortable and clean. Location, Hospitality, Calm See the prices
Campsites around Fort La Latte
You may want to opt for a campsite rather than a hotel or bed and breakfast. The good news is that in Brittany, adapted infrastructures welcome you with pleasure. Here is my suggestion of campsites, more or less unusual:
Bellevue Campsite
This first campsite is located in Erquy. It offers all kinds of activities for children and different locations to adapt to each of its visitors. This 4-star campsite offers activities with entertainers for young children. You can enjoy the surrounding beaches as well as Cap Fréhel and a visit to Fort La Latte. Campsite See prices
Campsite Du Val
This second campsite is also located in Erquy, so ideally located for visiting Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel. This campsite also offers a swimming pool and activities. From the campsite, you can walk to the center of Erquy. Campsite See prices
Repository Manor
This last accommodation is not strictly speaking a campsite. But it can be related to it. Indeed, this manor offers you to sleep in cabins perched in the trees. So if you want to live an unusual and original experience, this accommodation is for you! Unusual accommodation See rates
Sleep around Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel
The last possibility of accommodation if you wish to visit Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel, will be to direct you to tourist towns such as Dinan, Saint-Malo or Saint-Brieuc. Less than an hour's drive away, each of these cities offers a wide choice of accommodation: all price ranges and all types of hotels.
For some of these cities, we have written dedicated articles. I therefore invite you to read these articles if you are interested in a stay in Dinan or Saint-Malo for example.
Book your accommodation in Saint-Malo
Book your accommodation in Dinan
History and visit of Fort La Latte
Before concluding this article with my opinion on the visit to Fort La Latte and Cap Fréhel, I would like to introduce you to the history of this place and how our visit went.
Some historical facts about the Château de Fort La Latte
It was in the middle of the XNUMXth century that this fortified castle was built by Etienne III Goyon.
With a military role at first, it was then converted into a coastal defense fort, between the end of the XNUMXth century and the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
At the end of the XNUMXth century, it lost its military vocation, then was sold.
Since the 1930s, it has belonged to the same family that takes care of its renovation and maintenance.
Course of a visit to Fort La Latte
Regarding the visit, you will first have to cross a first drawbridge to access the first courtyard, then a second drawbridge to enter the heart of the Castle. This defense system made it possible to delay the enemy and thus prevent him from reaching the place of life of the Lord.
In the first courtyard, you can see a Barbican, once used to defend the place. Then, by entering the second court, it is here that you will be able to observe the places of residence and life of the Lord, like the Saint-Michel Chapel dating from the XNUMXth century.
Among the most imposing buildings is the stately home. This magnificent building dating from the XNUMXth century is now occupied by the owners of the premises.
As you progress, observe the well-maintained gardens, the pretty vegetable garden or the patch of aromatic and medicinal plants. This place is very pleasant, especially since you have a breathtaking view of the bay and Cap Fréhel in the distance.
Continuing your visit, you will quickly come to a more fortified part, which was once used to defend with cannons. Different batteries are visible and explained here.
Furnace for reddening iron ballsThat's a funny name for an oven! Indeed, it is a furnace which was used to redden the cannonballs which were then to destroy and ignite the enemy ships. These ovens had to heat up to more than 900 degrees and the balls had to stay between 2 and 5 hours inside. A large number of men were therefore mobilized to operate this oven permanently, making this system inefficient and therefore little used. You can see one of these blushing ovens in the second courtyard of Fort La Latte!
Once the tour of this second courtyard is over, you can take a little height and climb into the dungeon. An exhibition hall is on one level and the roof is accessible to admire the splendid view from up there.
My opinion on a visit to Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte
This visit to Fort La Latte was a great discovery! Several reasons make Fort La Latte a must in my eyes: its incredible location offering a breathtaking view, the natural environment of this place, the spectacular renovation of these old stones, the very interesting and enriching explanations throughout the course.
As for Cap Fréhel, it is also a magical place that I was able to discover. Again, the view is magnificent and alone deserves to make the trip there.
