Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Dinan

The medieval town of Dinan overlooks the River Rance which has a fine Gothic bridge. There are many excellenly preserved 13th /14th century half timbered buildings, and plenty of shops producing high quality merchandise, including craft shops for leather, silk, pottery, wood and glass. Most of the craftshops are in Rue du Jerzual, and there are also two galleries to visit: Galerie St. Sauveur, 12 Rue de l'Apport, and Galerie Phonographe at 2 Rue de l'Apport. The Old Town of Dinan has quaint cobbled streets, and a tourist train is available for those who prefer not to walk. You can take a walk along The Ramparts, and just outside is the Jardin Anglais, a terraced garden. From the Old Town, Rue de Petite Fort is a marvellously preserved medieval lane leading down to the river. Dinan Château is home to a small museum and there is a panoramic view of the town from the watchtower. The Tour de l'Horlorge on Rue de l'Horlorge has a clock dating back to 1498. The 15th century Maison de Gouvenour is also worth a visit. Just outside the town is the Rail Museum. Dinan has a weekly market on Thursdays.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Guingamp

Guingamp, on the River Trieux is well known throughout France for its football team. It is a university town with plenty of nightlife, bars and clubs. The 18th century town square has an impressive fountain, The Plomée. There are some fine stone houses around the square. Visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, and the Town Hall which used to be an Augustinian Monastery. Each year in August is the Festival St Loup, one of the oldest festivals in Brittany which attracts more than 4000 musicians from England, Scotland, Ireland & Wales. It is a 10 day and night festival of music; traditional, folk, jazz and rock. The festival also attracts artists, scultors and craftsmen. The town holds another festival, the Gouel Ar Bugale Vriezh in July. For this, local schoolchildren perform traditional Breton dances and there is a candlelit process and bonfires.

Brittany Tourist Information: Cotes d'Armor: Ile de Bréhat

One of the most dramatic and attractive places in Brittany, the Ile de Bréhat is situated a mile off the coast. There are about 96 small islets in the area with Bréhat being the largest. Cars are not allowed on the island, but as it can be explored by foot in about an hour this is not a problem. Alternatively you can choose to hire a bike for touring. The island has many species of rare plants and flowers, as well as being home to a wide variety of birds. The island is divided into two parts; the north side with its fields of yarrow and hemlock interspersed by boulders, and the south side which benefits from a milder climate where eucalyptus, palm trees and mimosa thrive. The village of Le Bourg has most amenities and a range of restaurants, cafés and bars, and there is a small market each morning.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Jugon-les-Lacs

Jugon-les-Lacs is situated in a small valley on the shores of a 300 hectare, 4km long lake. As the two rivers Rosette (formerly the Jugon) and Arguenon cross the town, water has always been an important feature, and mills were contructed for leather tanning along the banks. Dating from the 14th century, the town also features several "lavoirs" (open air tubs for washing clothes). These are found in the Rue du Four and the Rue de la Triballe. There is a fishing club at the lake, a sailing school, as well as pedaloes and canoes. Guided tours (French only) of the town take place every Tuesday at 11 am during July & August. Market day is Friday in the Place du Martray. Visit the Abbaye de Boquen, L'Eglise Notre Dame de Saint Etienne on the borders of the River Arguenon, and the impressive 12th century Chateau de la Hunaudaye.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Lamballe

In 2005 Lamballe became of one of Brittany's 'Cit' d'Art.' It has A pretty town centre with appoximately 30 colombage houses, a style of building that was largely abandoned after the 16th century because of fires. The most famous of these is La Maison du Bourreau which houses the town's two museums: Musée Mathurin Méhut and the Musée d'Art Populaire du Pays de Lamballe. There are several churches of interest, notably the Collégiate Norte Dame which dates back to 1202 (guided visits in French available), and L'Eglise Saint Jean which dates from the 15th century. In the centre of the town is the famous National Stud Farm. Guided visits available (details from the Tourist Office) of the stables, tack rooms and the forge. The Châtea de la Moglais is 18th century and contains walled gardens, an orangerie and a small theatre. Open 1st June - 15th Septmeber. 4 km outside the town is the "Lande des Potiers," a protected natural area with unusual flora and fauna and marked walking trails.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Lannion

Situated on the River Léguer and nestling between the Côte de Granit Rose and the Côte des Bruyères, Lannion is the second most important town on the Côtes d'Armor and is dominated by the Templar church of Brélévenez. There is a Thursday market and plenty of good shops and restaurants. In summer the Festival of Les Tardives and the Festival d'Orgue take place, and all year round there are shows in the town's Carré Magique theatre. Many walking routes start from the centre of town, taking in the seaside, chapels and ruined windmills. Boat trips on the river are available, departing and arriving from the Viarmes bridge, with English commentaries available for groups. (Details from the Tourist Office). Since 1960 the town has been at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, involved in the development of digital telephones and fibre optics. 5 km from the town centre is the Science Park of Pleumeur-Bodou where 3000 researchers and engineers are employed in this industry.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Loudéac

A busy market town, Loudéac offers traditional medieval buildings and some good restaurants and shopping. Close by is the Loudéac National Forest with 2500 hectares of woodland, protected plant and wildlife species and 45 km of marked walking trails. There is also a riding centre nearby, and the Maison de la Pêche Fishing Discovery Centre which covers 7 hectares. Address: Maison des Pêcheurs de Loudéac, Zone Champêtre de Pont Es-Bigots,22600 Loudéac. Tel: 06 75 75 53 62. For water sports there is the Aquatides Water Park, which includes 3 swimming areas covering 700m², giant water slides, shallow play pools, rapid river, jacuzzi, bubbling pool, massaging jets and a new fitness centre with sauna and steam room. Open all week. Website: http://www.cideral.fr Tel: 02 96 66 14 40. For walking, cycling and horse riding, L'Ancienne Voie Ferée is a disused railway line lying parallel to the River Lié, which has been transformed into a sunken lane. On the 2nd Sunday in August is the Fête du Cheval, with marching bands, horses and carriages in processions through the streets. There is also a series of race meetings between March and May. For the four Sundays preceding Easter, Loudéac holds "La Passion de Loudéac" where the Palais de Congrés is transformed into the Holy City of Jerusalem for a play lasting 3

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Paimpol

Paimpol is built amongst the pink granit cliffs of the region. Formerly the town hada large port which employed many of the townspeople, although today the port is mostly associated with the oyster beds which provide essential jobs for the town. There are two harbours, both of which are used by pleasure boats and fishing craft. The Musée de la Mer is situated in Rue Labenne. The building used to be a fish drying factory which processed the large catches of cod brought back from Iceland. It is open from Easter to September. Another museum which celebrates the region's traditions is the Musée du Costume where Breton costumes and coiffes are on display. Not far out of town is the Abbaye de Beaufo

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Perros Guirec

At the heart of the Côte du Granit Rose, Perros Guirec offers seaside and a landscape interspersed by the famed pink granite boulders wich have been sculpted by waves and the wind over thousands of years. Off the coast is L'Archipel des 7 Iles, an important bird reserve with over 27 species. Ideal for nature lovers is Les Landes de Ploumanac'h with a wide range of flower species. Walking trails and guided visits available on request from the Tourist Office from June - September. On the Ile aux Moins is Fort Vauban, contructed in 1720. Visits to the exterior of the Fort between February & November. Other places of interest include St Jacques Church, and the wax Musuem which is situated near the port (open mid June - mid September).

Brittany Tourist Information: Cotes d'Armor: Rostrenen

A market town (Tuesdays) with the Nantes Brest Canal close by. The banks of the canal have towpaths ideal for walking and cycling,and there is a disused railway line which is now a cycle path leading to Carhaix and Gouarec. Being centrally placed, Rostrenen is ideal for accessing all three coastlines of Brittany. In mid August there is the Festival of the Pardon of Notre Dame de Rostrenen. This dates back to the 14th century. A statue of the Virgin is carried by torchlight to the Montagne du Miniou. Rostrenen also celebrates the Bod Fair meaning Bush Fair) in December, to commemorate the finding of a statue of the Vigin under a rose tree in December 1300. There is also the Fisel Festival with Breton music and dancing in the streets, held at the end of August.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: St. Brieuc

St. Brieuc is the administrative capital of the Côtes d'Armor. The town has a harbour and a marina, and for the visitor, the convenience of being just a few minutes from both the beach and the countryside. St. Brieuc does not have the reputation of being an excellent tourist destination, being mainly a thriving working town. Two rivers meet here, the River Goussant and the River Gouedic. There is a small aiport which serves destinations from the Channel Islands only. Shopping is centred on the Rue Marechel Foch. During July & August there is entertainment organized by the local council; Les Nocturnes, which is a series of musical evenings featuring traditional Breton music. Visit the 15th century Saint Etienne cathedral which is built on piles.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: St Cast Le Guildo

A pretty and very popular seaside resort with numerous beaches, a golf course and over 30 km of coastal walks. Each year the Tourist Office organizes themed walks which can be in English on request. A good way to discover the area. The Bay de L'Arguenon and the Bay de la Fresnaye are famed for oysters and mussels. The coastal tides are amongst the highest in Europe and the difference between high and low tide can be up to 12 metres. The area is also good for bird watching, being a resting area for many migratory species. The port has its south east zone reserved for fishing, and there are many water sports available.

Brittany Tourist Information: Côtes d'Armor: Tréguier

Tréguier is a popular tourist destination, as well as being a thriving town in its own right. Industry centres on boat building, saw mills and trade in cothing, potatoes and cereals.The town is famed for its imposing 17th & 18th century pink granite houses as well as the old quarter which has some 15th & 16th century colombage houses. It is one of the few hilltop towns in Brittany, and stands on the confluent of the River Jaudy and the Rive Guindy which meet to form the River Tréguier. On each side of the river there are country lanes to explore either on foot, by car or by bycicle. Tréguier has a port and a marina, and as expected, plenty of excellent seafood restaurants. From the port you can take trips to the Isle of Bréhat, from May - Septmeber. The town is also famous for the Cathédrale de St-Tugdual which contains the tomb of St. Ives, the patron saint of lawyers who died in 1303. Each year the town hosts the Festival of the Pardon of St. Yves which attracts over 10,000 pilgrims who march through the town disguised as lawyers and asking pardon for their sins. Close to the Cathedral is the Statue of Ernest Renan, a religious sceptic, and La Musée Ernest Renan which is open from April - September has exhibits of local interest. Market day is Wednesday, with clothing in the cathedral square and fish down by the port.