Top 5 most beautiful villages to visit around Saint-Brieuc
Édouard Hue, CC BY-SA 4.0
From medieval towns and Breton ports to sweeping sea views, the area around Saint-Brieuc offers plenty of wonderful discoveries.
Here are five must-visit villages to explore during your stay in the Côtes-d’Armor.
Perched on a rocky outcrop, Moncontour is ranked among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." This "Petite Cité de Caractère" (Small Town of Character) is renowned for its ramparts, granite mansions featuring Italian and Flemish influences, and half-timbered houses.
While strolling through the town, be sure to step inside the Church of Saint-Mathurin to see its six remarkable 16th-century stained-glass windows and explore the remains of the castle.
Just a few kilometers from Saint-Brieuc, Quintin charms visitors with its old narrow streets and imposing castle.
The town was once a major hub for the linen trade, exporting fabrics throughout Latin America.
Wander through the historic center and admire the mansions built during that prosperous era before heading out to see the 7-meter-tall "Roche Longue" standing stone.
Châtelaudren is well worth a stop for its historical and cultural heritage. The town was once the capital of Breton fashion.
It was here that *Le Petit Écho de la Mode*—a famous Parisian publishing house—built a modern printing plant and set fashion trends for over a century.
Don't miss the Notre-Dame-du-Tertre chapel, featuring a ceiling covered in painted wooden paneling.
Once a major deep-sea fishing port, Binic-Étables-sur-Mer blends maritime heritage, beaches, and a relaxed way of life.
Stroll around the harbor before heading to La Banche beach or the coastal path.
Don’t forget to visit the market to discover local specialties such as butter, cider, and buckwheat.
In Plouha, the landscape takes on a wilder character. Admire the cliffs, which rise to 104 meters—the highest in Brittany—offering magnificent panoramic views of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Why not also take the GR®34 trail to the port of Gwin Zégal, a unique anchorage featuring traditional wooden mooring posts?
For a convenient base to explore the Côtes-d’Armor, stay at a 4-star hotel in Saint-Brieuc.
The Best Western Plus Hôtel de Robien welcomes you just a two-minute walk from the train station and 900 meters from the city center.
Discover our 75 air-conditioned rooms featuring contemporary décor and enjoy our wide range of amenities.
After your excursions to Moncontour, Quintin, or the coast, you can unwind in our sauna, lounge bar, and relaxation areas.
The hotel also features an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, open for dinner from Monday to Thursday.
Book your stay in Saint-Brieuc now!
Here are five must-visit villages to explore during your stay in the Côtes-d’Armor.
1. Moncontour, an unmissable medieval town
Perched on a rocky outcrop, Moncontour is ranked among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." This "Petite Cité de Caractère" (Small Town of Character) is renowned for its ramparts, granite mansions featuring Italian and Flemish influences, and half-timbered houses.
While strolling through the town, be sure to step inside the Church of Saint-Mathurin to see its six remarkable 16th-century stained-glass windows and explore the remains of the castle.
2. Quintin, dive into the history of Breton linen
Just a few kilometers from Saint-Brieuc, Quintin charms visitors with its old narrow streets and imposing castle.
The town was once a major hub for the linen trade, exporting fabrics throughout Latin America.
Wander through the historic center and admire the mansions built during that prosperous era before heading out to see the 7-meter-tall "Roche Longue" standing stone.
3. Châtelaudren, a small town with unique charm
Châtelaudren is well worth a stop for its historical and cultural heritage. The town was once the capital of Breton fashion.
It was here that *Le Petit Écho de la Mode*—a famous Parisian publishing house—built a modern printing plant and set fashion trends for over a century.
Don't miss the Notre-Dame-du-Tertre chapel, featuring a ceiling covered in painted wooden paneling.
4. Binic-Étables-sur-Mer: a getaway combining harbor and beaches
Once a major deep-sea fishing port, Binic-Étables-sur-Mer blends maritime heritage, beaches, and a relaxed way of life.
Stroll around the harbor before heading to La Banche beach or the coastal path.
Don’t forget to visit the market to discover local specialties such as butter, cider, and buckwheat.
5. Plouha: a village facing a spectacular coastline
In Plouha, the landscape takes on a wilder character. Admire the cliffs, which rise to 104 meters—the highest in Brittany—offering magnificent panoramic views of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Why not also take the GR®34 trail to the port of Gwin Zégal, a unique anchorage featuring traditional wooden mooring posts?
Your 4-star hotel in Saint-Brieuc
For a convenient base to explore the Côtes-d’Armor, stay at a 4-star hotel in Saint-Brieuc.
The Best Western Plus Hôtel de Robien welcomes you just a two-minute walk from the train station and 900 meters from the city center.
Discover our 75 air-conditioned rooms featuring contemporary décor and enjoy our wide range of amenities.
After your excursions to Moncontour, Quintin, or the coast, you can unwind in our sauna, lounge bar, and relaxation areas.
The hotel also features an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, open for dinner from Monday to Thursday.
Book your stay in Saint-Brieuc now!
