The Pink Granite Coast | Discover our weekend cycling itinerary

 

Want to discover the pink granite coast in the Côtes d’Armor? Discover our cycling and walking itinerary along one of Brittany’s most beautiful coasts.

 

Brittany is one of France’s favorite regions, and you only have to visit once to understand why! Here, windswept and tidal landscapes offer sumptuous color palettes magnified by natural light.

We come to Brittany for the invigorating, iodized air, the seafood, the buckwheat cakes, the scenery, but above all for the kindness and friendliness of the Breton people. Well, between you and me, I’m not going for a swim! How can a southerner swim in such cold water?

The Breton coast has a variety of landscapes to offer, and it’s only a 4-hour train ride from Paris that we’re taking you for a weekend to discover a slice of the Armor coast on the famous pink granite coast. From Lannion to Perros Guirrec by the way Trebeurden, the 7 islands archipelago, Ploumanach and its atypical rock formations, we criss-crossed this coastline for 2 days on electric bikes. Discover a jewel of our national heritage.

We decided to discover the place in Vélek’tro, these new eco-friendly electric bikes. A super-pleasant alternative under these blue skies, non-polluting, silent and more economical. If you only have 2 days to spare, we recommend doing the first part of Lannion to Ile grande on the day starting early and the second loop of Tregastel to Perros-Guirec, the next day.

 

| SITUATION ON THE COTE DE GRANIT ROSE

The Côte de Granit rose is located in the Côtes d’Armor department, and is surely one of Brittany’s best-known spots (Antoine has been telling me about it for ages!).

 

1 | LANNION

Our visit to Lannion was brief, but it gave us a first impression of this small town of 20,000 inhabitants. Lannion is the gateway to the Pink Granite Coast. To be honest, it’s not a very lively town, at least in the evening. However, you will find a very Breton architectural style with pedestrian streets surrounded by beautiful buildings such as Rue Saint Malo, very pretty old half-timbered houses with slate roofs located on Place du Général Leclerc, which remind us of the town’s medieval past, as well as more recent stone houses that are very typical of the Côtes d’Armor. Lannion comes alive in the summer, with an influx of tourists and events such as “Les Tardives” a music festival accompanied by storytelling and dancing. Breton culture is very much alive in the heart of Trégor.

Another point of interest is the Trinity Church and the 140 steps leading up to it in the Brelevenez district, perched on the heights of the city. Don’t miss it, as the view is magnificent! The climb up to the Trinity Church is gentle and easy, giving us time to stroll and take a few photos of the hydrangeas and houses.

For dinner, head to the “Moulin Vert” crêperie in the town center to sample delicious galettes accompanied by a bowl of cider, a place recommended by the locals! You can also have a drink at Les Valseuses for a friendly atmosphere or enjoy a Breton beer at Le Chapelier or L’Atmosphère for a more pub-like atmosphere.

 

If you enjoy delicious desserts and tasty dishes, discover our easy and authentic recipe for far breton, approved by my Breton friend, as well as the recipe for Breton mussels in cider, a real treat!

 

 

 

| WHERE TO SLEEP IN LANNION ?

 

We set out to find a bed & breakfast or a charming hotel, but the Ibis hotel in the city center kindly invited us to stay at their establishment. It’s a nice surprise, as its stone façade immediately puts you in the mood for a Breton flavour. Nothing to do with a traditional ibis hotel that sometimes lacks charm.

We liked:

• the fact that it’s no more than a 5-minute walk from the station and a 10-minute walk from the city center and tourist office.
• a fresh and hearty buffet breakfast
• its authentic, modern style
• its warm welcome
• its price, count in low season 50€ per night, excluding breakfast (€10)

 

 

We leave you find what you’re looking for here for accommodation. Here are a few of our favorite addresses for your stay in Lannion.

• The Florent studio, a charming 2-bedroom apartment
• The Leguer guest house
• Pouldiguy guest house
• The Beg Leguer beach house

 

 

2 | TREBEURDEN, DOURVEN AND L’ILE GRANDE

 

Saddle up! On our electric bikes, we took to the woodland trails and then ventured out onto the coast following the signposted routes of “the Vélomaritime“.

The roads are really very beautiful and pleasant: they cross woods, run alongside waterways and take you to the heart of many small, quiet, authentic villages with their beautiful stone churches. It’s an opportunity to discover a type of architecture unique to Trebeurden: slate roofs, grey granite stone facades and white shutters shape the landscape.

An obligatory photo break on the coast near the pointe de Dourvenest! The walk through the pine forest is quite pleasant, with surprising Mediterranean vegetation. The view over the Locquémeau Bay. The little port is very quiet and famous for its fresh mussels (when they’re willing to serve them to you, lunch often stops after 1:30 pm), which we’ll try next time!

Direction Trebeurden! This rather quiet little town in September didn’t make much of an impression on me. I preferred its long sandy beach of Goas Lagorn and a few hundred meters further on his oyster workshop away from the road, where you can enjoy 6 oysters and 1 glass of white wine for just €9.99. Who better to eat fresh oysters at this price and in this setting?

 

The ride takes effect when we arrive at the Ile grande, an almost untouched peninsula offering lost landscapes. The coastal walk is so pleasant, with the sea spray chilling your face as the sun makes its appearance. If you have time, visit Radome Park with its intriguing white ball.

 

• Île Grande

Ile Grande is a little less touristy than Ploumanac’h lighthouse. We come here for its wild open spaces, its pure iodine air and the Kastel Erek point. This protected natural site is a former granite quarry, located to the northwest of Ile-Grande. A sheer rock falls steeply into the sea, and it’s still pretty impressive. People come here for the spectacular storms, renowned for their choppy waves.

One of the island’s other great attractions is the overlapping round stones, one on top of the other forming little men in the distance. The Ile-Grande coastline can only be explored on the footpath, which takes around 7km to complete, but is not easily accessible to baby carriages or people with reduced mobility.

 

• The island’s ornithological station
  

The ornithological station is located in the axis of the bridge, at the other end of Île Grande. It is a sanctuary dedicated to the protection and preservation of birds. There’s also a care center for oiled birds, victims of oil spills and discharges.

My little tip: rest for a few minutes on a rock by the water to enjoy the sumptuous scenery and listen to the soothing sound of the sea. On one side, you have the Pointe de Toul-Ar-Staon and on the other a rocky dike. Winter’s raging waves pound the rocks beneath your feet.

 

 

3 | TREGASTEL, L’ILE RENOTE, PLOUMANACH, LES 7 ILES AND PERROS GUIREC

 

• Tregastel

 

When you arrive in Tregastel, you’ll see the Baie de Sainte-Anne, the port and the boats of Trégastel. This bucolic little spot is full of charm at low tide or high tide, and has a very Breton feel to it. On the other side of the bay lies the Renote peninsula.

 

 

• The Renote peninsula

 

If you have a little time, we also recommend a stop at the Renote peninsula. You can explore the magnificent pink granite rocks. You can park your car easily and free of charge in the parking lot, and take the whole family for a stroll along the pretty beach opposite. If you’re brave, you can dip your feet in, as the water is quite translucent. Walk around the peninsula, which is only 2 kilometers long on a well-maintained path. Take the “Renote Island Road” which will take you to the other end. At first sight, it’s not possible to make a complete tour. The highlight of this walk is undoubtedly the breathtaking view of the Ploumanac’h lighthouse and the pink granite rocks.

Last but not least, it’s possible to do a complete tour of the Renote peninsula in Trégastel, a pretty 2-kilometer loop that’s easy and accessible to all.

 

• Ploumanac’h lighthouse

 

We’ve been looking forward to this much-photographed, postcard-familiar landscape. We present the Mean Ruz (red stones in Breton) lighthouse in Ploumanac’h, a unique landscape of granite stones sculpted by the elements over thousands of years. It is generally better known as Ploumanac’h lighthouse or pink granite coast lighthouse. These red stones sometimes appear ochre or pink, depending on the light, sunrise or sunset. It’s the best-known photo spot on the coast, and could resemble the rocks of the Seychelles Islands. This is quite unique in France.

 

This geological curiosity is characterized by extravagantly shaped, surprising and amusing rocks all along the 8 km pink granite coast. You’ll need to devote at least a day to one of the most famous coastal paths along the pink granite coast. Dotted here and there with heather, flowers and rocks, this path is perfect for lovers, families, friends and even our animal friends. In fact, there’s something for everyone!

We suggest you explore the area on foot to enjoy the scenery. There’s a mouthpiece for this easy, accessible hike. It’s about 5 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours, including photo stops. If you walk briskly, you can expect a 1-hour hike. This part of the loop follows the “sentier des douaniers” or coastal path. You may know him by name. For hikers and coastal walkers, the customers’ path (also known as the GR34), one of Brittany’s most emblematic. Over 1800 km of this trail runs along the entire coast of Brittany, starting at Mont Saint Michel and ending at the Arzal dam (Morbihan). Spectacular views over the clear turquoise sea. Lovers of unspoilt nature will adore this location and understand why the côte de granit rose is one of France’s most beautiful coasts. I hear it’s really beautiful.

Don’t hesitate to take a small piece of equipment with you on this hike picnic to land on the St-Guirec beach, leaving Ploumanac’h lighthouse. If you continue on your way, you’ll pass through the pretty little village and return on a lovely signposted path. It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. You suddenly feel like you’re in the countryside.

On the way to the beach Saint Guirec, for example, we can suggest a stopover at the restaurant Mao to sample mussels at just €5.90 and 1/2 crab at €7, or enjoy a coffee break in the sun, lying back in the café’s deckchairs opposite Saint Guirec’s tiny golden sandy beach.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, there’s the very pretty beachfront hotel, the Castel Beau site which is well worth a visit for its tranquility and views. Otherwise you’ll find your happiness here in terms of accommodation in nearby Tregastel.

 

 

 

• The 7 islands archipelago
  

Sea side. Welcome to the 7 islands archipelago! In truth there are only five, probably a translation error in Breton. Just 5 kilometers off the coast opposite Perros Guirec lies a group of rocky islets, the Sept iles, forming a 40-hectare wild archipelago with the largest bird reserve in France and the third largest in the world. It’s home to one of France’s most spectacular colonies of Northern Gannets! An opportunity to discover the pink granite coast from the sea and to observe, among other things, the puffins from March to July grey seal colony almost all year round cormorants, some birds belonging to one of the protected species, as well as dolphins who may invite themselves during the visit. It’s an impressive sight and a real treat for the eyes! A 40-minute stop will take you down to Île aux Moines, the only island where human beings can set foot. Here, the water is translucent on one side and wild on the other. But what a breathtaking view! Offshore sailing is also well worth a visit just to see the coastline from the sea. It’s an outing we can’t recommend enough.

 

 

 

• Perros-Guirec

 

Perros-Guirec is a charming little town with a marina and one of Brittany’s most famous seaside resorts. We recommend stopping off here if only to stroll along its two superb beaches, Trestrignel and Trestraou, overlooked by prestigious houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The town offers a wide range of leisure activities and has established itself as one of France’s top tourist destinations.

For lunch, head for the best crêperie of the Granit Ros coaste, old riggings, located in the port of Perros-Guirec.

In summer, there are plenty of water sports activities for all ages to enjoy along these shores. You can be tempted by the paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, windsurfing or even catamarans, but not only. Horseback riding and bicycle tours are also available! For more information, there’s a mobile app that lists 40 tourist and cultural points of interest.

 

➡️ If you would like to book a ride stand up paddle near Perros Guirec, info and reservations here

➡️ If you wish to take a surf lesson in Perros Guirrec, click here to book your outing

➡️ If you come in high season, remember to book in advance your accommodation, as Perros-Guirec is very popular and restaurant wait times can be very long. Find what you’re looking for here

 

 

As well as being beautiful, the côte de granit rose offers a choice of accommodation ranging from Michelin-starred hotels to charming B&Bs, as well as a multitude of bars, shops and restaurants for lunch and dinner. We leave you find what you’re looking for here

 

As you can see, we really enjoyed this pink granite coast and would love to return. How can you not fall under the spell of this place? A weekend is so short but so relaxing, so go ahead and do what we did! You won’t regret it!

 

 

| HOW TO GET TO THE PINK GRANITE COAST?

 

• By car from Paris: for us, this was the easiest option as we live in the 17th arrondissement. From central Paris, it takes around five hours to reach the Pink Granite Coast.

• By train from Paris: From Montparnasse station, it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes by TGV to reach Saint-Brieuc. From there, you will need to take a TER connection to Lannion. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 30 minutes, depending on available connections.

 

| GETTING AROUND BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

 

From Lannion, you can reach the Pink Granite Coast by bus. However, please note that these services are infrequent at weekends and during school holidays. The bus journey from Lannion to the Pink Granite Coast takes around 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased directly on board the bus, and you can check the timetables for lines D and E, which will take you to Trégastel, on the Tourism Office website.

 

The Pink Granite Coast is a real discovery for me (Marion) and a rediscovery for Antoine, who is originally from Brittany. You can visit at any time of year to breathe in the fresh, pure air and enjoy simple pleasures by the sea.

 

 

 

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Cet article est notre ressenti et notre expérience. Il est le fruit d’ une collaboration avec Accor Hôtel que nous remercions  pour leur invitation.