After having recently introduced you to the Emerald Coast with the towns of Dinard and Saint-Malo, let's go a little further east to visit Paimpol. High place of tourism in Brittany, Paimpol is one of the essentials to discover in this region. A small marina with a rich history, Paimpol and its surroundings, such as Ploubazlanec or the island of Bréhat, attract more and more tourists looking for a change of scenery.
In this article we will take you to discover the places to visit in Paimpol and will give you all our advice for a successful stay in the region, with in particular our section devoted to the question of “Where to sleep in Paimpol? ".
Summary
- Visit Paimpol: What to do and see in Paimpol?
- What to do around Paimpol?
- Where to sleep in Paimpol and its surroundings
- My opinion on my visit to Paimpol
Visit Paimpol: What to do and see in Paimpol?
Paimpol is above all a small town of 7 inhabitants facing an old fishing port, now populated by pleasure boats.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to this small town to appreciate its downtown area, to walk there and contemplate its old houses with gray facades, typical of the region. As you will have understood, visiting Paimpol is above all getting lost in the small pedestrian streets of its town centre.
Impossible to introduce you to Paimpol without briefly telling you about the history of this old fishing port.
It was in the middle of the XNUMXth century that Paimpol entered a new era with the beginning of “big fishing”. Every year, in the month of February, the sailors leave for the cold waters of the far north, and those for several months, in search of cod.
Cod fishing made the wealth of Paimpol, although it cost the city many human lives.
Fishermen set out off Iceland in search of cod. The living conditions on the ships were particularly harsh and shipwrecks were frequent.
This "great fishing" is talked about in a song by Théodore Botrel, with its title "La Paimpolaise" as well as in the work of the writer Pierre Loti, in his book "Fisherman of Iceland".
- Discover the Place du Martray:
Let's start our visit of Paimpol with the central square, the Place du Martray. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful squares in Paimpol. A paved square surrounded by XNUMXth century residences. - Enjoy the port of Paimpol and its quays:
From Place du Martray, take Rue du Romsey and reach the port of Paimpol. Three quays surround the port basin: Quai Duguay Trouin, Quai de Kernoa and Quai de Morand. These quays are the main living spaces of Paimpol, they are pleasant and dotted with café or restaurant terraces, where it is good to relax. At the end of Quai Morand, there is a carousel like the one in Honfleur. - Visit the Maritime Museum:
The Paimpol Maritime Museum is the ideal place if you want to learn more about the history of the city, the era of the Great Fishing, as well as the maritime activities that still exist in Paimpol. - Traveling in the Prieux steam train:
To visit Paimpol is of course to take its mythical steam train: the Prieux steamer. Every year during the summer, the old railway line, linking Paimpol to Pontrieux, resumes service to the delight of tourists passing through the region.
This railway line, which saw the light of day in 1879, was abandoned in 1967. It was in August 1997 that the experiment was attempted to reconnect the two cities by this line, using a locomotive from the turn of the century. Since that year, every year for 2 months, an old classified locomotive takes travelers from Paimpol to Pontrieux, passing through Lancerf station, the Traou Nez mansion and finally, the Frynaudour bridge.
Be sure to book your trip in advance to make sure you have a seat. Count 1 hour 30 minutes to go (with stops) and 30 minutes to return.
- Walk on the Tossen beach in Paimpol:
In Paimpol, you will also be able to enjoy the beach. Indeed, a beautiful beach awaits you a few minutes from the center of the city: Tossen beach. A basin has been created to retain water during low tides, so you can swim whatever the tide.
What to do around Paimpol?
Even if Paimpol is a very beautiful town and staying there seems like a very good idea to me, don't miss the surroundings. Indeed, beyond the city itself, it is also its coast that attracts many visitors. Many points are to be discovered along it, villages but it is especially the island of Bréhat which wins the palm of the essential activity to do around Paimpol.
- Ploubazlanec :
Located 3 km from Paimpol, Ploubazlanec was a mecca for cod fishing. Many fishermen from the city lost their lives during the "great fisheries". Go to the cemetery to contemplate the "wall of the Disappeared", an alignment of steles each representing a ship that sank during the fisheries off Iceland.
A museum, "Memory of Iceland" has also been created to remember these sailors who died at sea. - Pointe de l'Arcouest:
A stop at the Pointe de l'Arcouest can be a good idea to enjoy a nice view of the bay of Paimpol and the island of Bréhat. This is the closest point to the island, the boat to get there is not far away. You will also find a sculpture there, two identical blocks of pink granite facing each other: these were erected in memory of Frédéric and Irène Joliot-Curie. - Pontrieux :
About twenty kilometers south-west of Paimpol, discover Pontrieux, an astonishing village which is home to a little treasure: around fifty fully restored wash houses are lined up on the banks of the Trieux. - Beauport Abbey:
Unmissable in the Paimpol region, the Abbey of Beauport is to be discovered without delay. This abbey dating from the XNUMXth century was founded by the canons of the order of Prémontré. Of the church of this abbey, only the facade, part of the transept and the nave remain. It is possible to visit the abbey via one-hour guided tours. - Bilfot Point:
A magical view that stretches from the island of Bréhat in the north to Cap Fréhel in the east. - Point of Minard:
Another point of the coast which also offers a magnificent view up to Cap d'Erqui. - Island of Brehat:
The island of Bréhat is one of the main activities to do around Paimpol. The island, nicknamed the island of flowers, is located a few minutes by boat from the tip of Arcouest. Several places of interest are to be discovered on the island, such as the glass factory of the Citadel, Le Bourg, the main village of the island, the Saint-Michel chapel or the lighthouses of the island such as Rosédo and Paon.
Where to sleep in Paimpol and its surroundings
Paimpol is a perfect place to make a stop during a road trip in Brittany. An ideal stopover in view of the things to see and do around Paimpol. The city offers a wide choice of accommodation for all tastes and budgets. Here are some of the good places to sleep in Paimpol.
Hotels and B&Bs in Paimpol
Hotel K’Loys
One of the finest establishments in Paimpol. Located in a XNUMXth century house, the K'Loys hotel benefits from a prime location on the port of Paimpol and close to all the bars and restaurants of the town. The hotel offers spacious rooms recently renovated and decorated with care. Hotel See rates
Villa Des Hydrangeas
Located 900m from the sea and 10 minutes by car from Paimpol, this bed and breakfast offers accommodation for 2 to 4 people. A small haven of peace where to spend the night not far from Paimpol. Bed and Breakfast See rates
Poulafret Bed and Breakfast
A few kilometers from Paimpol, facing the sea, are the guest rooms of Poulafret. A particularly well-rated establishment, ideal for spending a night not far from Paimpol or Bréhat. Bed and Breakfast See rates
Campsites around Paimpol
You may be looking for a campsite around Paimpol where you can spend your holidays? Indeed, Paimpol and its surroundings are an ideal place to spend holidays in Brittany. This place, rather central, is located equidistant from Dinard and Saint Malo to the East, and from Roscoff and the island of Batz to the West, about 1h30. The surrounding area is full of things to see and do.
Find campsites near Paimpol
Sleep on the island of Bréhat?
Why not stay on the island of Bréhat? Located a few minutes by boat from Paimpol, the island of Bréhat is a peaceful and calm place, where it is good to stay. Spending a night on the island, at the Bellevue hotel for example, will allow you to appreciate its very special island side. It is also possible to rent a villa on the island and enjoy a sumptuous setting for family holidays.
My opinion on my visit to Paimpol
For me, visiting Paimpol is indisputably one of the things to do in Brittany. It is an essential step of a stay in the region for several reasons. Along the coast of Goëlo, you can enjoy many photo stops on one of the points of the region. The island of Bréhat is also one of the things to do in Northern Brittany and the town of Paimpol is therefore a must. An ideal place to stay and spend a night while enjoying a welcoming and pleasant city.
