Perros-Guirec is the gem of the already enchanting Côte de Granit Rose. Postcard motif after postcard motif. One of the most popular seaside resorts in all of Brittany. Perhaps the most beautiful section for walking directly on the Breton coast.
Why is that so? Read it for yourself!
Discover now:
Beaches
Plage de Trestraou
The Plage des Trestraou appears in many rankings of the most beautiful beaches in Brittany. Situated on the north side of Perros-Guirec, the 1,000-metre coastline offers plenty of space for kite flying, surfing or swimming, depending on the weather. The well-kept sandy beach slopes gently down towards the sea and is therefore particularly suitable for families with children. The only downside: at high tide, the beach can shrink to a narrow strip and then, especially at the best time of year in June, July and August, bathers crowd onto just a few metres.
Perhaps this is why the Plage de Trestraou is almost more popular for walking than for bathing. Whether in the summer evening sun or in the less crowded low season, whether strolling along the beach promenade or in the damp sand when the water has receded – the wide beach (at low tide!) offers enough space to walk or just to let your gaze wander into the distance. For example, to the Sept-Îles, which rise out of the English Channel on the horizon.
Plage de Trestignel
The Plage de Trestignel is about 1 kilometre east of the Plage de Trestraou as the crow flies. The beach has similar advantages to its larger neighbour, but on a smaller scale. There is fine, white sand here, too, and the clear water makes it almost impossible to find arguments against a swim in the sea, especially at hot temperatures.
The immediate surroundings with a free car park (which fills up early in summer) and cafés and restaurants also make you want to stay in this part of Perros-Guirec!
More attractions
In addition to the beaches described, Perros-Guirec has other sights to offer. You guessed it: most of them have to do with the sea!
Customs trail GR-34 Perros-Guirec – Ploumanac’h
The full splendour of the Côte de Granit Rose unfolds between Perros-Guirec and the hamlet of Ploumanac’h, which belongs to the municipality. Bizarre, organic formations of pink rock, some of which seem to defy gravity, make the route such an exceptional experience.
Located right by the sea, this is one of the most beautiful sections of the GR-34, which runs along the entire coast of Brittany. From the western tip of the Plage de Trestraou, it’s about 3 kilometres on a paved path above the sea. The hike can be completed easily in about an hour, including enough time to scramble around in the rocks.
Phare de Ploumanac’h
The Phare de Ploumanac’h lighthouse is the town’s best-known landmark and one of the most popular photo motifs in all of Brittany. As a lighthouse, the building is not even outstanding with its 15-metre height; there are taller ones on the coast to the north-west and also ones with more radiance (this one shines for 12 nautical miles).
It is the special location at the northern tip of the seaside resort. The Phare de Ploumanac’h, built of pink granite, rises from the similarly coloured, seemingly unreal rock formations of the coast and – like its surroundings – takes on completely different hues depending on the light conditions. The “Phare de Mean Ruz”, as the tower is called in Breton and is also signposted, is particularly impressive at sunset.
Sept-Îles
Within sight of the beaches of Perros-Guirec are the Sept-Îles. Five uninhabited islands and a small number of island-like rocks form the archipelago, which is one of the oldest nature reserves in France.
The Sept-Îles are known above all as a bird sanctuary; about 23,000 pairs of gannets, puffins, guillemots and many other species populate the islets. If you approach the islands by boat, the dense colonies of the animals with their many nests next to each other are an impressive sight, especially on Île Rouzic.
So that the rare birds can breed undisturbed, entry is only permitted on the main island Île aux Moines. From Perros-Guirec, or more precisely from the Plage de Trestraou on Boulevard Joseph Le Bihan, a ferry departs several times a day in the direction of Sept-Îles and heads for the “Island of the Monks”. The guided tour lasts about 2:30 hours and also takes you to the island’s lighthouse and the remains of a fort. Alternatively, there is a round trip without disembarkation lasting 1:45 hours.
Holiday Home Perros-Guirec
Dream beaches and hiking trails right in the village, towns such as Saint-Brieuc, Lannion, Paimpol and Morlaix less than an hour’s drive away – Perros-Guirec combines many advantages for the location of a holiday home.
The jewel of the Côte de Granit Rose is equally popular with French tourists and visitors from abroad. Those who do not want to miss out when choosing a holiday home for Perros-Guirec should not wait long.