Guingamp
A journey back in time and a gentle way of life,
Recorded as being one of the best 5 towns in Brittany to wander around, Guingamp takes you on a journey back in time with its medieval half-timbered houses, 15th century castle at the heart of the town, basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours with three architectural styles and Renaissance-style houses and doors.
A rich, wide-ranging history ! Continue your stroll along the banks of the Trieux past wash pools, footbridges and viewing points before a spot of gourmet shopping for local specialities in the narrow streets. Guingamp is also home to the football team En Avant Guingamp and the atmosphere at the Roudourou stadium is amazing and worth experiencing even if you support another team ! Bastion of the Breton identity, the town is the capital of Breton dancing which is celebrated at the annual Festival de la Saint-Loup in August. Discover the town from another angle by hiring a kayak; enjoy walking, horse riding, mountain biking, tennis and fishing; go to the cinema, library or swimming pool.
History in a nutshell :
Guingamp was founded in the 10th century around a motte-and-bailey castle overlooking the Trieux Valley. Of the three castles successively built on the site until the 15th century, only three towers levelled off to the height of the walls on the orders of Richelieu in 1626 remain. The 18th century Place du Centre features a fine Renaissance-style fountain called La Plomée because of its two lead basins. The town centre has some beautiful half-timbered and slate-clad houses as well as fine stone-built residences which bear witness to 500 years of town-planning. At n° 6 rue Notre-Dame is the 16th century house of the 'Duchesse Anne' with its elegant turret. The former Augustine monastery (built 1699-1709), served as a hospital until the Revolution and is today the Hotel de Ville (town hall). In the centre of the town, the former chapel with a Baroque facade is now an exhibition hall known as the Espace François-Mitterrand. The basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours is the finest building in the town. It was built in the 13th century in Romanesque then Gothic style. The north porch has a statue of the Black Virgin which attracts crowds of pilgrims on the first Saturday in July for her ‘pardon’ (religious festival).
Around and about Guingamp :
There is plenty to see in the area around Guingamp like the charming little character towns of Chatelaudren to the east and Pontrieux to the north. Châtelaudren lies in the Valley of the Leff. Granite, water and metal all come together here, which means it is not only a town packed with history, but a place where you can relax and enjoy the water, and a site with an amazing industrial heritage. For family fun near Guingamp spend a day at Armoripark Amusement Park in Bégard or visit the Terrarium and Vivarium at Kerdanet, Plouagat to explore the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians. For Christmas visitors to the area, the Château de La Ville Chevalier has a magnificent model railway exhibition in its stables. Amazement guaranteed !
If you fancy going a little further on to the sea, Ploumanac’h and the Pink Granite Coast are just 50km from Guingamp.
Sabrina, who works for Gîtes de France en Côtes d’Armor, often goes to Guingamp. She recently discovered the new, architectural attractions installed by the council : « In the Place du Centre, down from the Fontaine Plomée, there is a staircase water feature, pools and water jets. There are even coloured spotlights to illuminate it all ! Just nearby, pretty footbridges cross the Trieux between Rue des Ponts St Michel and St Sébastien car park. It’s like discovering a new town ! »
How to get to Guingamp ?
Guingamp is easy to get to. It has a railway station with fast trains to Paris which take just over 2½ hours and two branch lines to Carhaix and Paimpol. By road, the RN12 dual-carriageway is on the southern edge of the town.
