5 Must Do Things – Pink Granite Coast, France
The Côte de Granit Rose or Pink Granite Coast is a pretty part of northern Brittany, France. The stretch of coastline is in department 22, Côtes d'Armor and stretches from Plestin-les-Grèves to Louannec. The coast is called the Pink Granite Coast because of the pink hue of the rocks.
Trégastel at the Côte de Granit Rose
The area is well known for its unusual rock formations with many agreeing that the best formations are between the towns of Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac'h. Trégastel is one of our family's favourite locations along the coast because of it's fun family attractions and the outstanding walking paths with stunning views. We head here all year round regardless of the weather as there's always something to see and fun dining options. Below are a collection of family photos taken over the years in different seasons along the walking path from Plage du Coz-Pors around Île de Renote.
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5 Must Do Things at the Côte de Granit Rose, Trégastel
1. Take the walking path from Plage du Coz-Pors around Île de Renote
The rocky promontory of Île de Renote offers a splendid panorama of the coast and the inland countryside and is a popular choice for walkers and dog owners.
Take driving directions (or set GPS) to Trégastel-Plage and park in either of the visitor carparks. Camper vans will need to park at the Parking du Pére Eternel carpark (which is only a short walk from the beach), but cars and bikes can access the Parking Île Renote carpark.
1. Take the walking path from Plage du Coz-Pors around Île de Renote
The rocky promontory of Île de Renote offers a splendid panorama of the coast and the inland countryside and is a popular choice for walkers and dog owners.
Take driving directions (or set GPS) to Trégastel-Plage and park in either of the visitor carparks. Camper vans will need to park at the Parking du Pére Eternel carpark (which is only a short walk from the beach), but cars and bikes can access the Parking Île Renote carpark.
Allow 1.5 hours to leisurely walk the track and admire the rugged coastline or longer if you visit in summer and plan to swim or take in sun rays. The track is easy to follow until it seems to disappear amongst huge boulders beside Plage Ty-Lia. With a little investigating you'll find a path between the boulders and be able to continue on your trail. Persons with less mobility will be able to navigate the path some of the way in dry weather.
Typical fishing launches and small yachts are often propped up or laying on their sides patiently waiting for the tide to change and bring them water so they can float again. These bright coloured boats are the subject of many visitors' photos.
2. Take a swim in crystal clear water and sunbathe on soft sandy beaches
If visiting in summer, you have a few beaches to choose from for swimming and sunbathing.
Plage Coz-Pors (Coz-Pors Beach) is close to amenities and is suitable for families as it is supervised during the holiday months of July and August. The beach with its fine granular sand and clear water is a drawcard, as is the seawater swimming pool.
Plage de l'Île Renote (Île Renote Beach) has calm water that's crystal clear and is bordered by huge pink granite rocks. This beach is unsupervised. It's stunning, close to easy car parking and has a gentle slope, making it our choice of the beaches for taking a dip and sunbathing. Photos directly above of both ends of the beach.
Another small beach along the promontory is Plage Ty-Lia. Accessed only on foot, hidden by boulders and on the Baie de Sainte-Anne, it's an oasis away from the crowds.
Nomad Crêperie - Scallop crêpe
Nomad Crêperie - Nutella crêpe
3. Visit a cafe and try a traditional Breton drink and crêpe
Refresh yourself after your walk or time on the beach with cold champagne or beer in summer, or hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) and cake in winter in charming cafes. You'll get seaside views at the marine themed Salon de Thé at Le Hôtel de Beausejour, 5 Plage Du Coz Pors, 22730 Trégastel.
Another nearby café is the Nomad Creperie at 1 Rue Abbé Bouget, 22730 Trégastel. We love their inventive menu that offers traditional and creative crêpes and their pottery cider jugs that are served when you order Normandie cider (see photos above).
4. Take the kids (or yourself) to Trégastel Aquarium (Aquarium Marin de Trégastel)
It really is quite spectacular how the Aquarium Marin has been built into and around a mass of pink boulders right on the water's edge. It rather looks like a daredevil architect or artist has created the aquarium.
There are meandering paths, steps, rocky corridors and pool chambers that turn this aquarium into a little like a labyrinth. Sea creatures and mammals seem to enjoy their surroundings as much as the children who admire them. This really is a great place to take kids, and there is the obligatory gift shop!
Useful Information
Aquarium Marin de Trégastel, 37 Bd du Coz-Pors, 22730 Trégastel https://www.aquarium-tregastel.com/
Check opening times: Open daily in summer. Open French school holidays only during winter.
Rock formations on north side of Chapel
Chapelle Sainte Anne des Rochers, Trégastel
5. Rest and reflect in Sainte-Anne des Rochers Chapel
Enjoy the peacefulness of Sainte-Anne des Rochers Chapel and absorb the history within its walls. The Chapel is located on a site that's been used for spiritual purposes since the Neolithic period. Prehistoric man erected a dolmen; the Celts built a tall engraved stele (which is now located at the Tourist Office); and the monks erected a small wooden church. The chapel we can see today was built in 1636 by Seigneur Jean de Lannion, then enlarged in several stages in the 20th century.
The rock formations on the north side of the chapel are inlaid with a bronze medallion made in 1937 that pays tribute to the Breton poet and songwriter, Léon Durocher, who lived in Trégastel during summers.
For more information visit the Office du Tourisme - Mairie de Trégastel.
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