Explore Hengoat, Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany

From the car park at Porz ar Villiec beach, take the GR34 coastal path leading to the Pointe du Château. Follow the path around this coastal point (accessible to those of reduced mobility) and past the ‘Hôtel de la plage’, the 12th-century St-Jacques Church and then you’ll reach the port. The pathway continues along the coast to the bottom of the bay. The second part of the circuit takes you through the countryside of Locquirec, before meeting the Moulin de la rive beach. Here, you pick up the coastal path once more (known as the Customs Officers’ Trail) and head to the white sandy beaches, before climbing one last point to complete your walk.

In the heart of the Douron Valley, classed as a Natura 2000 site, you’ll find a walk that takes you over various bridges: a Celtic bridge, a railway bridge, and a modern 4-lane bridge. You’ll certainly be tempted to sop and admire the wildlife in the valley and the river or simply spend time strolling in the shade of the trees, lulled by the sound of the river.

This walk runs along the coast of Morlaix Bay in Trégor, between Perhérel coastal point and Térenez cove, offering fabulous viewpoints over the tiny islands of the bay and Barnénez Peninsula. During or after this walk, take a breather at St Samson beach, where you can enjoy a lunch gazing over the sea, or visit the ancient burial mound of Barnénez. So many options to help you spend an unforgettable day at the seaside…

Leaving from the old railway station of Coatélan, this circuit follows along the Morlaix-Carhaix Green Way (‘voie verte’), passing along the River Jarlot, ideal for a tranquil start. When you come out of the Green Way, you’ll be in the middle of Plourin countryside.

This little outing in the countryside around Plourin will take you through the ages: a Celtic bridge marks the start of a beautiful rise in one of the loveliest sunken paths in the region. This route was once followed by ‘pilhaouerien’, rag-and-bone men who travelled through the countryside gathering fabric to feed the region’s paper-mills.

Starting in Morlaix's port, begin your walk by strolling on the docks and discovering the "Manufacture des tabacs". Then, the trail takes you on the heights of Porz an trez, and across the wooden valley of Pennélé, important place of Morlaix's history. This lap come to Morlaix's river by the old monastery of "St François", and its gothic chapel, from the XVIth century. Then, you'll take an old track projecting over the river, and coming back to the port. This trail is available in the FFRandonnee's topoguide "Le pays de Morlaix à pied" (ref. 298).

This trail invites you to explore Carantec: its coastal points, its beaches, its oyster-farming and its countryside. There is an unbeatable view over Morlaix Bay and its tiny islands including the Chateau du Taureau, Île Louët, the Penzé estuary and of course Île Callot. You can also extend your walk for another 6.5km by following the submersible path. Here, the 360° panoramic view is breath-taking.

This walking circuit through Queffleuth Valley offers the chance to see how the landscapes have evolved since the 19th century, as well as how they’ve been used. Follow in the footsteps of Potic the Pilhaouër (the rag-and-bone man) through the Arrée Mountains. Along the way, you’ll discover mills, rivers, woodlands and irrigated meadows. This walk includes 6 sections that allow you to learn as you walk with your family. Here, everything possible is done to protect the biodiversity of flora, fauna and wetlands. You can ask for the booklet of this walk at Tourist Offices throughout Morlaix and its surrounding towns.

Spend half a day horse riding and exploring the Brocéliade Forest!  Discover the legendary sites in this mythical forest with your guide and enjoy a picnic.  SPEND HALF A DAY HORSE RIDING AND EXPLORING THE BROCÉLIADE FOREST! Enjoy a horse riding excursion and discover the legendary sites in this mythical forest with your guide. Your excursion starts at the equestrian centre where you will leave in a small group. After a few hours of exploring the heart of nature, pause for a picnic that you will all share. This horse riding adventure is ideal for revitalising yourself all while discovering the fascinating surroundings of Merlin the Wizard.

Go horse riding in the heart of the mythic Brocéliande Forest! Spend one hour with your guide riding along the paths of the legendary sites. GO HORSE RIDING IN THE HEART OF THE MYTHIC BROCÉLIANDE FOREST! After leaving the equestrian centre, go on a one-hour horse ride and discover the local flora and fauna in the most famous forest in Brittany.  Witness nature flourishing in this magical forest with your small group as you appreciate the scenery of Neolithic standing stones and deer as described in Celtic and medieval stories and legends. Follow the trail of the Knights of the Round Table on this relaxing and original horse ride!

Fly over Mont Saint-Michel Bay on an ultralight trike or autogyro and explore its incredible scenery! FLY OVER MONT SAINT-MICHEL BAY ON AN ULTRALIGHT TRIKE OR AUTOGYRO AND EXPLORE ITS INCREDIBLE SCENERY! Mont Saint-Michel, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its medieval architecture and ideal location in the heart of a vast bay invaded by the biggest tides in Europe. In the company of an experienced guide, set off to discover this world-famous site. On an ultralight trike or autogyro, fly all the way around Mont Saint-Michel and take in the panoramic views of the bay and the cliffs of Champeaux. Discover the local flora and fauna and enjoy the adrenaline rush over this historical, cultural and natural site!

Take off on board an ultralight trike or autogyro and take in the breathtaking views over Mont Saint-Michel! TAKE OFF ON BOARD AN ULTRALIGHT TRIKE OR AUTOGYRO AND TAKE IN THE BREATHTAKING VIEWS OVER MONT SAINT-MICHEL! Mont Saint-Michel, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises up in the heart of a vast bay invaded by the biggest tides in Europe and offers visitors some spectacular scenery. In the company of a qualified pilot, fly away for a tour of this renowned site! Take in the views of its medieval architecture, the area’s flora and fauna and the beautiful coastal scenery. This is an out-of-the-ordinary way of seeing the Wonder of the Western World!

Spend a sensational hour at the Piloting School in Rennes. Accompanied by an instructor, take control of a tourist airplane! Spend a sensational hour at the Piloting School in Rennes and take control of a tourist airplane while accompanied by an instructor,  Make the most of this activity for two and soar through the air. Learn the theoretical basics of piloting a tourist airplane from your instructor. You will be taught how to taxi, take off, turn and land. Before taking off, you will learn all about the plane as explained by your teacher. Then, led by your pilot-guide, take turns sitting at the helm of the plane and taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds and take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes. Treat yourself by choosing this activity for two and have a sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

Accompanied by your instructor, spend 15 exciting minutes at the Piloting School in Rennes. You will immediately take control of a tourist airplane! Accompanied by your instructor, spend 15 exciting minutes at the Piloting School in Rennes. Then, you will immediately take control of a tourist airplane. Led by your pilot-guide, taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. At take-off time, the pilot will take the controls then let you continue going upwards. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds. You can even do some turns, ascents and descents. Take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes and enjoy the unique experience of being at the controls. Start your descent towards the runway where your instructor will take back the controls for a short while to land before letting you taxi towards the airport’s parking lot. Treat yourself to this sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

Spend an unforgettable hour at the Piloting School in Rennes. Take control of a tourist airplane with an instructor. Spend an unforgettable hour at the Piloting School in Rennes and take control of a tourist airplane while accompanied by an instructor. Make the most of this activity and soar through the air. Learn the theoretical basics of piloting a tourist airplane from your instructor. You will be taught how to taxi, take off, turn and land. Before taking off, you will learn all about the plane as explained by your teacher. Then, led by your pilot-guide, sit at the helm of the plane and taxi on the runway towards the take-off point. Once in the air, you will feel the thrill of flying through the clouds. Take in splendid views of Brittany’s landscapes and enjoy the unique experience of being at the controls. Treat yourself by choosing this activity and have a sensational experience at the helm of a tourist airplane!

The Castle of la Hunaudaye was built around 1220 by Olivier de Tournemine then rebuilt at the beginning of the 15th century. During the Middle-Ages, la Hunaudaye was one of the most important seigneury of Penthièvre and its castle established the power of its owners, the Tournemines. Said Tournemines were also the lords of Plancoët and Montafilan (Corseul). Even if the Arguenon River can't be seen from the top of the towers, it is close by, 2km away. The castle was actually built to protect the banks of the Arguenon River and protect Penthièvre on its west border. In the area, the roads allowed the merchants to take part in the local fairs (St-Jean). The mills along the river allowed farmers to grind grain and trample clothes. Today, the old medieval roads are paths to access the fields, the fairs have disappeared and the mills wer flooded by the construction of Pleven dam. In spite of the French Revolution's destructions and the castle being turned into a stone quarry, the defensive system remains imposing. The castle was recently restaured making its visit much agreeable.

The small manor Des Portes is rebuilt in the 19th century by the Danican family, St-Malo shipowners. In 1978 it becomes the municipal town-hall after having been bought a few years earlier. The park, surrounded by high stone walls is a leisure area nowadays. It houses a few children's games and an agreable camping site, most of the year. It is also a place where the flowers abound, the village actually obtained a regional prize for its flowering and is proud to have the 1flower label.

This village already existed during the Middle-Ages. It was kept busy by the markets held every Monday. The Tournemine family had an auditory there, a building to give justice in during the market day. Today there are no traces of this medieval past, but the traces of the old window of the old chapel. This chapel was destroyed during the 1950's since it threatened to fall down. During works old graves were found around the chapel.

In Brittany, geology is mostly granitic. This type of under-ground carries an impermeable ground. Therefore, the Arguenon River has important meanders (unlike rivers and streams running on limestone in which water infiltrates much more easily). Therefore there are not many water tables in Brittany. That is one of the reasons that lead the Conseil Général to vote in 1972 the building of a dam downstream from Pléven and Plorec village-centres. Little by little a 200ha lake formed, surrounded by forest. The dam capacity is estimated to be around 11.5 million m3. It's currently, in the Côtes d'Armor, the largest water reserve for human consumption. The pumper water is distributed by a 356km network of pipes to all the municipalities of the Syndicat Mixte Arguenon Penthièvre (S.M.A.P.), about 115 communes, over 200,000 inhabitants during summer. Consequently, the Arguenon river provides a third of les Côtes d'Armor in drinkable water. But, with the lake an other source of revenue appeared : leisure activities. The lake is indeed a high place for green tourism and nature sports afficionados: bathing lake, all terrain bicycle station, hiking paths. Forbidden to all motorised vehicles, the lake is a place of quietness for all those who seek relaxation.

Mottes are the ancestors to castles. The never ending wars opposing Bretons and Franks and then Normands, lead to the construction of wooden castles on top of a "fortified motte". About fifty of them still remain in the Pays de Dinan (touristic area of Dinan). The motte was the sign of the lord's power, the larger it was, the more it dominated its fields and lands. It is thought that these fortresses which protected the landscapes of the Arguenon River are abandonned for a more modern structure: la Hunaudaye Castle.

This delightful area allows you to enjoy the quietness of the lake. You can picnic, fish or practise rowing here.

This area by the lake is heaven for fishermen, numerous to come to tickle black-basses and pikes. Everything is laid out: parking-lot for cars and recreational vehicles, picnic tables, bridges and wild landscapes.

The arm of Bellenraye, at the mouth of the Guébriand, on the Arguenon ria, is still much preserved. With a bit of patience, we can spot in this islet of biodiversity, many birds and butterflies. The old tidal mill is a private property. In the olden days the place was very animated. Go past the mill and take left at the top of the hill into the hamlet.

Plancoët was the safest ford down on the ria. It is also there that the strength of the river could be used. As early as 1223, writings mention mills, like those you can see on each side of the bridge, turned into houses today.

Plancoët is also a port at the back of a ria. In the middle of the 19th century, the light boats were numerous to dock there and load or unload grains, apples, wood, « marne » ou « tangue » of the sea (mud to spread on the fields, used as a fertiliser on the crops) The arrival of the train in 1879 meant its decline.

Going down the steps you arrive in a valley away from the main road. In Chateaubriand's time, these houses were the only ones in the hamlet. Nazareth district was an craftemen's district. The façades gave out on the street; the shop was held at the ground floor (the old shop windows can be made out on the façades) and the people lived on the first floor. At the back was a back-shop, a work-shop, sometimes an oven, a garden for the food missing and at the bottom of the valley, water, the essential element to every and any craft. "My grand-mother lived in the only street of the hamlet de l'Abbaye, a pretty small house of which the gardens went down in terraces to a valley and at the end of which a small fountain, surrounded by willow trees, could be found. (extract from Memories of my Life)

When on the Landouar square, go up on the left of the Grande Rue and go back to the office. The Grande Rue, (Main Street), was, for a long time, the only way called “rue”; the other were paths or roads. On this main road, rare houses show only their façades. Right or left the “rangées” (rows of houses) are aligned. At the end of the Impasse du Paradis (Heaven’s dead end) you’ll meet Saint Christopher, protector of the travelers. This granite statue from the 15th century proves how long he was celebrated in Jaguen territory.

Welcome to the only commerce of the village. This artisanal crêperie, certified "crêperie gourmande" distinguishes itself by an authentic cuisine, exclusively realised from fresh products by the hostess : artisan crêpier. Her original preparations, the quality of the setting and the warm welcome makes this crêperie one of the best of the area. Two dining rooms and a south facing terrasse. Some specialities: galette with scallops and leeks fondue, crêpes with caramelised apple, salter butter caramel and vanilla ice cream, kig-ha-farz (to order, some Sundays) Details on : www.creperiesucrésalé.monsite.orange.fr

The small manor Des Portes is rebuilt in the 19th century by the Danican family, St-Malo shipowners. In 1978 it becomes the municipal town-hall after having been bought a few years earlier. The park, surrounded by high stone walls is a leisure area nowadays. It houses a few children's games and an agreable camping site, most of the year. It is also a place where the flowers abound, the village actually obtained a regional prize for its flowering and is proud to have the 1flower label.

This area by the lake is heaven for fishermen, numerous to come to tickle black-basses and pikes. Everything is laid out: parking-lot for cars and recreational vehicles, picnic tables, bridges and wild landscapes.

After the Plage des Haas, the costal path follows the abbey’s park. A gate allows you to access this private property and discover its remarkable edifice. History and legend tell us that in the 5th century, two twin monks, Jacut and Guéthenoc, arrived on this peninsula called « Landoac » looking for a fitting place to create a hermitage. A Benedictine monastery was established there and had a great influence on the region’s development and evolution until the French Revolution. Sold as Bien National (National Good), sold again many times, the abbey knows many vicissitudes and different uses (Border guard caserns, home to a wealthy foreign family...). In 1875, the monastery’s ruins are bought by the Congrégation des Sœur de l’Immaculée: a religious order from St-Méen-le-Grand (Ille-et-Vilaine), they’ll turn it into a nursing home for the nuns and a free school for the children of the area. The restoration starts right away. To finance the school, the nuns host, firstly the British tourists who came, under doctor’s orders, to take sea water and hot algae baths. They stream in right from 1876. That’s the start of the “guesthouse”. Along the years, the summer holiday goers keep growing in numbers; the nuns develop the hotel capacities of the Abbey and diversify the activities and the hosting: the Abbey is now a guesthouse and a high place of cultural and spiritual encounters. Please respect the environment and the quietness of the residents.

The sports field (foot-ball, tennis...), strawberry fields and a camper-van area can be found there.

Opening 30/04/2020 > 30/09/2020 Lovers of nature, water activities, the ocean, and tranquillity will be right in their element at Huttopia Douarnenez campsite, ideally located at the tip of Brittany. Relax and enjoy the breathtaking views from the pool over Douarnenez bay.