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Aerial view of Saint-Brieuc

- © Iakov Filimonov / 123RF
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc

Saint-Brieuc, the largest town in the Côtes-d'Armor department, nestles in the depths of its miraculous bay.

Saint-Brieuc in short

Prefecture of the Côtes-d'Armor department, Saint-Brieuc is a city on a human scale with a very long history.

Rich in monuments and historic sites and set in the hollow of its bay, Saint-Brieuc offers visitors a remarkable blend of nature and history.

It's a real delight to lose yourself in the cobbled streets, among the timber-framed houses and in the shadow of the fantastic fortified cathedral of Saint-Étienne.

To make matters worse, there are plenty of good places to shop and dine in the city!

The area around Saint-Brieuc is also awe-inspiring.

The Bay of Saint-Brieuc Nature Reserve, the coastline between Plérin and Saint-Quay-Portrieux, and the magnificent Petite Cité de Caractère of Quintin are all just a few kilometres away...

The Bay of Saint-Brieuc under a beautiful blue sky

- © bru greg / Shutterstock

Saint-Brieuc town centre is built around its beautiful fortified cathedral

Proud half-timbered houses brighten up the town centre with their remarkably colourful and restored facades. Some of them even date back to the 15th century!

As a bonus, don't miss the market held every Wednesday and Saturday in the historic centre, on the Place de la Résistance.

When exploring the town, take time to explore the historic heart of the Côtes-d'Armor capital on foot.

Strolling along the cobblestones between the half-timbered houses is a real pleasure, and an ideal playground for photographers!

As an added bonus, take the time to discover and sample a sweet or savoury speciality.

In fact, there's nothing like a delicious galette to perk you up and kick-start your visit to one of the town's many places of interest.

Last but not least, as you make your way around Saint-Brieuc, you'll notice that the old meets the new.

Indeed, a number of street art creations brighten up the facades of the streets and alleyways in the town centre.

Then discover the port of Le Légué, the town's maritime atmosphere.

Le Légué lends itself well to a pleasant stroll along its quays. It's the best way to discover this part of the town, which is currently undergoing a complete overhaul.

To get the most out of Le Légué, take a looping route linking the two towns of Plérin and Saint-Brieuc.

Starting from the Place de la Résistance, you can admire the colourful, restored former shipowners' houses.

The port of Le Légué in Saint-Brieuc

- © EQRoy / Shutterstock

For an iodised discovery of the Saint-Brieuc area, get off the beaten track!

First of all, head for the Baie de Saint-Brieuc nature reserve.

The English Channel is never far away, and there are plenty of surprises in store!

Don't forget your binoculars for birdwatching and your camera for capturing some great moments.

If you follow the coast northwards, you'll pass a large number of sandy beaches and pleasant seaside resorts.

Perfect places for a fun family holiday by the sea! Saint-Quay-Portrieux has a large number of supervised beaches in summer.

For the more sporty types, try to choose from all the water sports on offer, or go for a jog along the coastal path, you'll see it'll take your time!

The Bay of Saint-Brieuc at low tide

- © bru greg / Shutterstock

Last but not least, Trégomeur Zoo Parc is the perfect destination for a family day out!

The Zoo Parc is both a floral park and an animal park, featuring the Asian continent.

Among the bamboo trees, you might just be lucky enough to spot a snow leopard or a little red panda!

Aerial view of Saint-Quay-Portrieux and its deepwater port

- © JibiBrown / Shutterstock

So plan your next holiday in this authentic, unspoilt part of Brittany. A land where the sea is omnipresent, which will fulfil your expectations as an inveterate traveller!

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The must-sees

How to get there?

If you choose to travel by train, the SNCF offers departures from Gare Montparnasse in Paris.

The journey from Paris to Saint-Brieuc takes just 3h30. Most of the journey is on a high-speed line.

By car, the journey from Paris takes an average of 5 hours, for just over 450 kilometres of road (toll and free motorways).

Where to stay?

Saint-Brieuc has a wide choice of accommodation. Hotels, bed and breakfasts and rental accommodation will meet all your requirements.

During certain periods (trade fairs, exhibitions) the offer is reduced, as visitor numbers are at their highest. So make sure you book as early as possible. As a bonus, you'll benefit from preferential rates!

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Saint-Brieuc is the largest town in the Côtes-d'Armor département. The city offers a wealth of historical treasures and a fantastic natural setting. It has a large and varied hotel...

Practical information

Saint-Brieuc key figures :

Surface area: the city of Saint-Brieuc covers an area of almost 21 km².

Population: 45,100 inhabitants in 2015

Transport :

The TUB network manages urban travel in the centre of Saint-Brieuc and the surrounding area.

Parking is not always easy.

Most car parks in the centre of Saint-Brieuc are chargeable.

lightbulb_outline Editor's tip

If you'd like to try some delicious bouchot mussels, head for La Cabane du Mytilus.

Located in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, it's the perfect place to eat freshly harvested mussels! Open from June to September.

Useful links
Saint-Brieuc Tourist Office

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