Paimpol - Ile de Bréhat
Among the landmark destinations of Côtes d’Armor are Paimpol and the Isle of Bréhat, both ‘absolute musts’ !
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Between land and sea...
Marked by its maritime past and immortalised by Pierre Loti in his novel ""Pécheur d'Islande (An Iceland Fisherman)"", Paimpol has plenty of places to explore and visit as well as its Sea Shanty music festival. The past of the charming town is delightfully illustrated by fine houses built for privateers and ship owners and tiny, narrow streets which today house pretty shops, art galleries and studios of well-known artists !
The Isle of Bréhat
Known poetically as the « Ile aux fleurs (island of flowers) », the Isle of Bréhat was the first place in France to be classed as a natural site on 13 July 1907. This little island community enchants by its silence. There are no cars here, just bikes and ‘Shank’s pony’ ! Take your family, your partner, your friends, for a day trip or a longer stay, you are sure to fall under the spell of this timeless corner of paradise just a few minutes by boat from the mainland. Lots of natural and heritage attractions to discover in the two parts of the island and make sure you have good walking shoes if you want to go to the Phare du Paon lighthouse at the northern tip of the island.
Remarkable natural attractions …
Broadly speaking, the estuary of the Vallée du Trieux has a myriad of attractions and panoramas, each one more appealing then the next. Bréhat is not just a single island it is an archipelago covering 309 hectares, composed of 86 islets and reefs. Further out to sea, the grand 57m high ‘Phare des Heaux de Bréhat’ lighthouse dominates the whole area. It stands at the end of the Sillon de Talbert, another emblematic natural attraction to visit. Also along this coast is Lann Vraz, a viewpoint steeped in fishing history and maritime memories, marked by the statue of the ‘Veuves d’Islandais’ (Widows of Iceland). The nearby village of Loguivy de la Mer is well worth a visit, when you have been there, you will know why ! Another essential place to put on your sight-seeing list is the Abbaye de Beauport on the outskirts of Paimpol : the preserved remains of a 13th century monastery beside the sea – an absolute gem which is an open air venue for many shows, exhibitions and cultural events.
Local people are always eager to describe their native area. These few phrases from Yves Robert, who owns 2 gites (St Pierre and Miquelon) on the Isle of Bréhat, perfectly describe how it feels to arrive there : « Arriving on Bréhat is a very emotional experience, made even more so when you know that you are one of the lucky people who will be staying there overnight... ». The 2 gites are traditional houses, full of charm, in an enclosed garden with flowers and trees.
The Festival du Chant de Marin (Sea Shanty Festival) : an institution at Paimpol !
The Sea Shanty Festival at Paimpol started in 1989. Every two years the quaysides of Paimpol echo to the sound of music from around the world and hundreds of traditional sailing ships come into the harbour. Sea shanties were originally sung by sailors to help them pace their work on board ship or wind down when they reached port. They recount voyages, adventure and camaraderie, themes which occupy centre stage during this festival in Paimpol.
How to get to Paimpol and Bréhat
Paimpol is easily reached by road, rail, bus and even boat ! Passenger ferries to Bréhat run from the Pointe de l’Arcouest (car park and panoramic viewpoint) and in summer from other ports in Côtes d’Armor. You can go straight to Bréhat and back or take a boat trip around the islets to marvel at the beautiful scenery which changes with the tide and light."
