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Along the coast is part of the Cote d’Emeraude, famous for the deep green of the sea, the Cote Sauvage, ‘the wild coast’, and the Cote du Granit Rose with sandy beaches and giant pieces of pink granite rock, created by volcanoes and fascinatingly moulded by eons of wind and sea erosion.
The name Cotes d’Armor is derived from the past, when Bretons described coastal Brittany as I’Ar Mor, ‘the country of the sea’, and the inland region of forests and hills as l’Ar Coat, ‘the country of the woods’. Inland are the rolling hills, deep-set country lanes, and woodlands of central Brittany, a rural landscape reminiscent of much that has been lost in Britain to the ravages of industrial farming and urbanisation.
The department’s southern half is crossed by the Noires Mountains that run west to east and constitute the watershed divide between northward flowing rivers, that empty into the Channel, and the rivers emptying south into the Bay of Biscay.
Interesting activities in Brittany, are too numerous to list, but include golf, walking and cycling, sailing, inland boating and riding. There are numerous places to visit such as museums depicting traditional local crafts and industries.
There are leisure centres and a wealth of historic buildings of interest including Abbeys, Manoirs, Churches and Chapels. There are also Menhirs (standing stones) and Roman remains. For example, at Mael-Carhaix there is a complete Roman Aqueduct which is a must see!
The Nantes-Brest canal meanders through some of inland Cotes d’Armor. Though not entirely navigable, the towpath is a marvellous route for walkers and cyclists to follow through countryside, villages and towns such as Loudeac, Mur de Bretagne, Gouarec and through Finistere to Carhaix and the River Aulne.
Brittany has a great tradition for Fetes, where traditional dress, music, dancing and food are the order of the day. Famous also for the Fest Noz which are evening or night-time musical events, where traditional Breton and Celtic music is played, often including bands from Wales and Scotland.
Please take a moment to look at the pictures on this page. They represent just a fraction of diversity of this region of France and is a joy to behold. Whatever your tastes are, the Cotes d’Armor will not disappoint!
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