Let's continue our discovery of Brittany: after Roscoff and Paimpol, I'll take you visit Perros-Guirec. This former fishing village is now one of the most popular seaside resorts in Brittany. Perros-Guirec is the start of the pink granite coast which stretches east to the tip of Bihit, about 15 kilometers away.
Perros-Guirec is also attractive for its islands, located not far from the city: the Seven Islands, a sanctuary for many species of birds. The town of Perros-Guirec sees its population multiplied by 5 in summer.
In this article we will visit Perros-Guirec, discover the things to see and do in the city but also the best places to sleep in Perros-Guirec.
Perros-Guirec is undoubtedly one of the places to visit in Brittany.
Summary:
> Visit Perros-Guirec: what to do and what to see?
> Where to sleep in Perros-Guirec?
> What to see and do around Perros-Guirec?
> My opinion on Perros-Guirec
Visit Perros-Guirec: what to do and what to see?
Let's start by looking at things to do in Perros-Guirec itself. We'll stray from the town a bit later in this article, to focus on things to do around Perros-Guirec.
The history of Perros-Guirec in brief
Perros-Guirec was only a small fishing village when in 1881 the train arrived in the town and connected it to Paris. From then on, Perros-Guirec was to become a posh seaside resort popular with wealthy Parisian families.
Over the years, illustrious characters, writers and artists, notably Gustave Eiffel, settled in Perros-Guirec and built luxurious residences there.
Villas still visible on the coast, not far from the city.
Today the pink granite coast, with Perros-Guirec as the main town, attracts many tourists, especially families who come to enjoy the calm and beauty of the place.
Perros-Guirec town center
First, let's look at the things to do when visiting Perros-Guirec town centre:
- Museum of History and Traditions of Brittany:
A museum that traces part of the history of Brittany by reproducing historical scenes from the history of the region. - Saint Jacques Church:
Main church of Perros-Guirec, the Saint-Jacques church is worth the detour. You will discover a XNUMXth century bell tower, a XNUMXth century granite holy water font, as well as a Romanesque nave dating from the construction of the first chapel built on the very site of the Saint-Jacques church. - Chapel of Our Lady of Clarity:
A rather amazing story surrounds the construction of this chapel. In the XNUMXth century, the lord of Barac'h, in distress on his ship not far from Perros-Guirec, made a wish to build a chapel in the first place he would see coming out of the fog. Take a detour to this chapel built in pink granite and admire its bas-reliefs, its XNUMXth century holy water font, then take the little rue du Tertre to contemplate the view from the top. - Semaphore:
Going up from Perros-Guirec to the north, towards Ploumanach, you will find a semaphore. Stop not far from it at the Turquet de Beauregard viewpoint to enjoy a splendid view of the start of the pink granite coast, of the Sept Îles offshore and of Ploumanach.
Perros-Guirec and its beaches
Located on the pink granite coast, Perros-Guirec has beautiful beaches where it is pleasant to walk and stroll. So visiting Perros-Guirec also means enjoying its beaches! Here are the main ones:
- Trestrignel Beach:
Trestrignel beach is the most easterly of Perros-Guirec. It is located not far from the Pointe du Château, a belvedere that offers you a very nice view of the surroundings. - Trestraou Beach:
Trestraou beach is the main and largest of the Perros-Guirec beaches. The edge of the beach is laid out, it is here that you will find the casino of Perros-Guirec, the congress center of the city, the school of surfing and sailing, but also the pier for cruises to the Seven Islands which we will discuss shortly. - Saint-Guirec beach:
Located in Ploumanach, further north of Perros-Guirec, Saint-Guirec beach is a small beach enclosed between pink granite rocks.
Visit Perros-Guirec: Ploumanach
Ploumanach is a small village located north of Perros-Guirec, of which it is a part. The small peninsula on which the village of Ploumanach sits is largely owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral which protects this area, one of the most beautiful and wildest on the pink granite coast.
- Port and beach of Ploumanach:
Ploumanach, although a very touristic place in summer, is a small fishing port. Ploumanach beach is that of Saint-Guirec, which we briefly mentioned above. A small wild beach surrounded by pink granite rocks. - Phare de Men Ruz :
It is indeed the main attraction of Ploumanach and, even if the lighthouse itself is nothing exceptional, the place where it is located is quite striking. This lighthouse, and the few houses that surround it, are located in the middle of a magnificent landscape, one of the most beautiful places on the pink granite coast. It is here that we find the strange rocks that have made the reputation of the region, such as Napoleon's hat, the rocky rock reef or the Porz-Kamor wedge. - Sculpture Park:
A recent attraction that brings together no less than ten monumental sculptures like what has been achieved in Vallée des Saints, in Carnoet. Admission to this park is free and it is very pleasant to walk there or even have a picnic. - Coastal house:
The Maison du Littoral de Ploumanach is dedicated to the pink granite coast, the formation of these rocks with strange shapes and their exploitation. An interesting and free visit to do in Ploumanach.
The Perros-Guirec customs path
One of the main activities to do in Perros-Guirec is undoubtedly the coastal path. A path without particular difficulty, which connects the beach of Trestraou, in Perros-Guirec, to the beach of Saint-Guirec, in Ploumanach. This course can be done in 1h-1h30 walk. If you wish, he can also take you to Trégastel. For this last destination, count about 3 hours of walking.
This path will make you discover all the marvels of the pink granite coast and its astonishing rocks.
Where to sleep in Perros-Guirec?
In view of its geographical location and the activities to be done in Perros-Guirec, the city and its close surroundings are an ideal place to stay during a road trip in Brittany. Here are some good places to sleep in Perros-Guirec.
Hotel of the Rocks
Located in Ploumanach, the Hotel des Rochers is very popular with tourists passing through the region.
Located on the small port of Ploumanach, the location is ideal for enjoying the beauties of the pink granite coast. Affordable See prices
Castel Beau Site
Also located in Ploumanach, facing the sea, the Castel Beau Site is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in Perros-Guirec.
Direct access to the beach, a jacuzzi and all the comforts expected of a top-of-the-range establishment. Top of the range See prices
Manor of Lan Kérellec
Slightly out of the way of Perros-Guirec, the manor of Lan Kerellec is located about ten kilometers from the city. This hotel took place in an old XNUMXth century mansion.
Its vast rooms all offer a magnificent view of the sea. This Relais & Château establishment is undoubtedly one of the most renowned addresses for accommodation not far from Perros-Guirec. Luxury See prices
What to see and do around Perros-Guirec?
Now that we have seen the things to do during your visit to Perros-Guirec as well as the good places to stay in Perros-Guirec, let's take a look at what there is to do around this city. Indeed, there are many things to see around Perros-Guirec, in particular the Seven Islands, the pink granite coast or even Trégastel.
Discover the Seven Islands
The excursion to the Seven Islands is the main activity to do when you visit Perros-Guirec. These islands, seven in number, constitute one of the largest ornithological reserves in France, with nearly 280 ha.
The Sept Îles archipelago is made up of the following islands:
- Rouzic
- Malban
- Costans
- Bond
- Monk Island
- Flat Island
- The deer
The excursion to the Seven Islands may include a landing on the largest of the islands, the Iles aux Moines.
On this island is a lighthouse, a fort built by Vauban partly destroyed, as well as an old monastery. Depending on the excursion chosen, a stop of about forty minutes will be on the program.
The other island which alone makes this excursion worthwhile is Rouzi Island, also known as Bird Island. This is where the only northern gannet colony in France lives, one of the largest in Europe. No less than 22 pairs of birds have found refuge on this island. Each year, they stay there between March and September to lay eggs.
In addition to gannets, you will have the opportunity to see many other species of birds such as guillemots, crested cormorants, oystercatchers, penguins and puffins.
The reserve is also a refuge for a colony of gray seals.
On the return from this short cruise of about 2 hours, you will have the opportunity to follow the pink granite coast and discover the most beautiful landscapes. The explanations on the atypical rocks of the coast as well as on the sumptuous villas visible from the sea are a plus for understanding the history of the surroundings.
Book your excursion to the Seven Islands
Trégastel and its beaches
Located about ten kilometers from Perros-Guirec, Trégastel is a small seaside resort that appeals to tourists passing through the region in search of pretty beaches. Trégastel is at the heart of the pink granite coast. It is here that you will find the most beautiful beaches in the region as well as some of the most beautiful panoramas.
- Aquarium marine :
Literally nestled inside pink granite caves, the marine aquarium surprises with its location. Originally used as a chapel, then as an ammunition depot, before being a dwelling and finally a museum, the caves of the marine aquarium exhibit many species of fish arranged in the 28 aquariums it has. At the exit of the aquarium, go to the statue of the "eternal father" and enjoy a beautiful panorama of the surroundings. - Tregastel beaches:
Trégastel has many white sand beaches. This is the case of Coz-Porz beach, the main beach in the area. A beach lined with pink granite rocks sculpted by the sea and the wind.
Other beaches are worth the detour such as the beach of the White Strike, that of the Pink Strike, or that of Toull Bihan. - Renote Island:
At the end of the peninsula is an island, or rather a peninsula, that of Renote. This peninsula is entirely pedestrian. On it are huge blocks of pink granite. A path runs along the coast from Renote island beach to Grève Rose beach and continues to Toull Bihan beach.
My opinion on my visit to Perros-Guirec
Visiting Perros-Guirec was a great discovery during our road trip on the Brittany coast!
Perros-Guirec is indeed a seaside resort not to be missed during your stay in Brittany. Even if this small town is worth the detour, it is above all the pink granite coast of which it is a part that makes this place unique. The beaches and rocks stretching from Ploumanach to Trégastel offer sumptuous landscapes.
I also really enjoyed the cruise to the Seven Islands. The impressive colony of northern gannets will delight young and old alike. You will learn more about the fauna and flora of this little corner of Brittany.
