What is there to do, see and visit in Erquy? Follow the guide!

For your future holiday in Brittany, are you thinking about staying at OUR campsite in Erquy, Côtes d'Armor? Then go ahead, you won't regret it! With its charming fishing port, sandy beaches and pink sandstone cliffs, the top seaside resort on the Penthièvre Coast has plenty of assets to attract campers looking for sea air and breathtaking landscapes.

The port of Erquy, the number one port in Brittany for scallop fishing

Erquy is ranked as one of the most attractive ports in France. It is the country's fourth biggest fishing port with a fleet of around one hundred fishing boats. Almost 12,000 tons of fish are caught each year, then sold at the fish market. Along the quayside, food-lovers will find a wide range of bistrots and restaurants, where fish and seafood specialities have pride of place. The port of Erquy is also known for scallops, the symbol of local gastronomy. Almost 50% of French scallops come from Saint-Brieuc Bay. It's no accident that Erquy is nicknamed the scallop capital!

Erquy beaches: sunshine, sea and swimming

With ten golden sandy beaches and wild creeks with turquoise waters, Erquy is the ideal destination for a seaside stay. Close by our family campsite in Erquy, Saint-Pabu beach is an idyllic setting for a swim between the hills and the ocean. At the heart of the seaside resort, sheltered by Cap d'Erquy, the Centre beach also has many fans. If you prefer a more untamed setting, the Lourtuais, Portuais, Guen and Lanruen beaches, at the edge of Cap d'Erquy, are for you. With a special mention for Saint-Michel beach - Erquy's picture postcard beach - and Montiers beach, rarely mentioned in the guidebooks, but well worth a visit!

Cap d'Erquy with the "Grand Site de France" label and not to be missed!

Cap d'Erquy is an outstanding natural site. It has some of the best-known landscapes in Côtes-d'Armor. Cap d'Erquy was awarded the prestigious "Grand Site de France" label in 2019. It covers about 170 hectares south of the port, between cliffs and pink sandstone rock, heathland and hilltop dunes, pine forests, gorse and bell heather fields, an emerald sea and untamed beaches. The pink sandstone cliffs rise 60 metres above the sea, providing a spectacular view over Saint-Brieuc Bay. Nestling in the shelter of a pine forest, the Cap quarry lakes, known as the Blue Lakes, overlook the port of Erquy.

Hiking fans can follow the coastal path (GR 34) along the Erquy beaches. The trail runs alongside the Ville Berneuf dunes and the Pléneuf-Val-André golf course before arriving in the seaside resort of Val-André and then the little port of Dahouët with its Breton fjord. Cyclists, meanwhile, can pedal their way along the Vélomaritime EV4 trail on the "Cap d'Erquy - Cap Fréhel Grand Site", well known to cycling fans.

DID YOU KNOW? The pink colour of the cliffs comes from iron oxide produced by changes to iron-rich minerals, such as black mica and magnetite. Pink sandstone can be seen everywhere, from the fishermen's houses in Erquy to the seaside villas, via Bienassis Castle.

‎Bienassis Castle, a pink sandstone jewel on the Emerald Coast

Bienassis Castle was built in the 15th century between Erquy and Pléneuf-Val-André. It is one of the last big castles built in the late Middle Ages. Behind a façade of Erquy pink sandstone, the delightful feudal residence is open to visitors between June and September. The visit continues in the forest park, the French-style garden and the vegetable garden dating from the 17th century. The visit is enhanced by medieval games, an escape game, a treasure hunt and workshops for our younger visitors and history buffs!

Îlot Saint-Michel and its small Breton chapel

Take advantage of your holiday at the Erquy campsite to visit the Îlot Saint-Michel. A short way away from the Port des Hôpitaux in Erquy and facing the Sables d'Or beach, this small rock covering scarcely one hectare is accessible on foot across a tombolo at low tide. At its summit, a small chapel dedicated to Saint Michael was built in 1881. In summer, the Friends of the Chapel organise free visits. You can also enjoy a picnic in peace and quiet.

Exploring the smaller historic buildings of Erquy

During your stay in Erquy, you can see some of the town's typical historic buildings. Starting with the religious buildings, such as Saint Peter and Saint Paul church, the Seamen's Chapel, the Saint-Pabu and Saint Michael's chapel, as well as the dolmen in Ville-Hamon, a pink sandstone gallery grave which forms a burial mound dating from Neolithic times.

On the way to Cap d'Erquy, near Port-Blanc bay, lovers of old stone buildings will notice two monuments: the Trois Pierres guardhouse, built during the reign of Louis XVI to defend the Breton coast, and the cannonball oven that was used to heat up cannonballs to set fire to enemy English ships in the 18th century (hence the French expression "tirer à boulets rouges" [lit. "shoot with red cannonballs"], meaning to strongly criticise someone). Nestled at the end of Cap d'Erquy, on the pebble beach, there is also a lifeboat shelter, which was in use from 1935 to 1966, before the Plancoët speedboat was launched.

Your campsite in Erquy

Do you want to book a camping holiday in Erquy in Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany? We will be very happy to welcome you to our 3-star campsite, close to the Cap d'Erquy cliffs and Cap Fréhel. Alongside a big sandy beach, our campsite in Côtes-d'Armor is encircled by green hills with an exceptional view out to sea. Here you will find peace and quiet in harmony with nature!

Book your stay in a mobile home or cabadienne wooden tent, on a pitch for tents, caravans and campervans or find out more about your future holiday in Erquy here: www.erquy-tourisme.com