Month: October 2025

Saturday 18th October 2025 – Launay and Ile-de-Bréhat….

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Cloudy and a little chilly today which is a bit of a shame as I think our planned trip to Ile-de-Bréhat would have come alive with a bit of sunshine and some blue skies – never mind. Our first stop was the rather uninspiring beach at Launay – more about the nature reserve behind it rather than the beach itself but good for a short walk….

A few short miles along the road and we are parked up for the night at the Aire on the coast on the outskirts of Poublazlanec and ready to catch the short ferry across to spend the afternoon on Ile-de-Bréhat as we join the Pink Granite Coast. I opted to go for the tour around the two main islands before landing, though I’m not sure why as the commentary was obviously in French and Google Translate had no clue! But is was good to see the rugged pink granite rocks and islets all the way around and Paen Lighthouse…

There are no cars on the island and we followed the maze of pathways and marvelled at the grand houses the construction of which must have brought its challenges….

Arriving on the island we watched a while as the return passengers were boarding the ferry- with there being no cars on the island the use of bikes with any manner of add ons to facilitate transporting stuff around where available to hire and evident wherever you went and to be fair you do not want to get in the way of a local with a wheelbarrow type contraption on the front or back loaded with shopping!

We followed the maze of pathways and marvelled at the grand houses and almost tropical gardens, the construction of which must have brought its own challenges….

As you might have guessed we gravitated to the only beach on the island, though to be fair the tide was so high that much of the beautiful pink sand was by now underwater but even so….

We loved the fact that around every corner there was a little turret or quirky home….

Look at this beautiful Clock tower – difficult to get a proper photo but….

All too soon it was time to head back to catch the last ferry at 6pm for the short 10 minute trip back and another 5 minutes walk back to the van.

Thoughts of the day:

  • I think I should ideally live on a small island I just find them so magical and tranquil – around every corner a glimpse of the sea
  • I am excited for the pink beaches that lie ahead

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 5
  • Miles walked – 6
  • Beaches – 2
  • Trip – £18.24
  • Aire –

Friday 17th October 2025 – Tréveneuc to Paimpol….

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A bright and sunny albeit with a chilly coastal breeze – but hey blue skies we love. We left our quiet little spot down by the sea and headed for our first beach of the day – Plage de Port Goret…

Unfortunately the path down to the beach was blocked off so it was just a Quick Look from above before moving on to our next beach a little further up the road – Plage du Palus….

A nice long stretch of firm sand for us to stretch our legs – our next couple of beaches were a fail through random (to me anyway!) road closures until we wound up in the lovely little village of Brehec, taking a stroll around the small harbour wall….

Before enjoying the beach proper – we also got the chance to watch a couple of people parasailing? along the beach – they at least were thankful for the fresh breeze….

Next we found our way to the coastal town of Paimpol and were quickly ensconced on their Aire right in the centre of town – luckily for us the barrier system wasn’t working so staying is free including electric! We didn’t waste any time in getting out again and wandering down to the sizeable working and leisure Port….

The beaches however, even allowing for the high tides were a bit of a fail as in not very appealing but here they are – the best of the bunch – Plage de la Tossen…

Plage de Poulafret – which on the map looked to be an interesting spit of sand – not so in reality….

And finally Plage de Cruckin – not sure I can see the potential here either…

Still we rounded off our walk with a detour around Beauport Abbey…..

Before returning to the van and completely full Aire for the night.

Thoughts of the day:

  • This is the second or third Aire where the barrier hasn’t been working and therefore staying is for free and the electric is still switched on which is a little odd and according to the reviews this one has been free for a few weeks now – not complaining.
  • Not the prettiest beaches for us today and most appear to be completely tidal though rarely do we seem to catch them at high tide – can’t seen to get to grips with the tides here no idea why as I’m sure it is the same at home!
  • The other thing apart from my inability to communicate in French is that my sense of direction is all to cock too – is it because the sea is on my right whereas I have traversed the UK in a clockwise direction the sea always being on my left?

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 27
  • Miles walked – 8
  • Beaches – 6
  • Aire – free

Thursday 16th October 2025 – St Brieuc to St Quay-Portrieux…

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A mostly sunny day for us today, a bit of a coastal breeze – ideal walking weather. We started off today with a bit of a drive down to and around St Brieuc a sizeable town / city – we even went him a dual carriageway for the first time in quite a while! Our first destination was on the outskirts of St Brieuc in the small village of St Laurent de la Mer and Plage les Nouelles – not so much a sandy beach but more of a shell beach with low tide sand/mud flats and as our parking spot was less than ideal we didn’t linger here….

Next stop was Plage des Rosaires – a long stretch of course sand sprinkled with shells of every description where we enjoyed a nice crunchy walk…

A bit further up the road at Binic we visited Plage des Godalins, a much nicer long stretch of firm sand for us to walk along….

A short hop up the coast from there took us to our Aire for the night at Plage du Moulin….

Once settled in we took a walk along the coastal path to the neighbouring seaside village of St Quay-Portrieux visiting its handful of beaches along the way, starting with Plage du Portrieux…

Plage de la Comptesse….

Plage du Chatelet….

The infinity pool….

Plage du Casino…

And finally Plage de la Greve Noire….

A lovely circular walk on a lovely sunny afternoon.

Thoughts of the day:

  • Sadly as we wander through these seaside towns we note that there are a lot of closed up businesses and not just for the season – though the tourist season here is much shorter than in the UK which surely must make it even harder for them to survive.
  • It is good to see that the cyclist and walkers are very well catered for in the network of cycle / footpaths that we are using.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 27
  • Miles walked – 8
  • Beaches – 9
  • Aire – £9.16 no ehu

Wednesday 15th October 2025 – Cotentin to Lermot….

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A little cooler, breezier and cloudier today but ideal for driving and walking – so we did. After a trip stock up on groceries we rejoined the coast at the little village of Cotentin and ambled down to the beach….

A mostly rocky beach but with enough sand to make it possible to navigate without having to scramble over the jagged and oyster encrusted rocks and as it was deserted an ideal place for Tilly to have a runabout and explore.

Next up was the huge expanse of sand leading out onto mudflats of Plage de Beliard….

After taking a walk along the coastal path for a bit and checking out the Chapelle Saint Maurice (locked) we wandered down onto the beach to enjoy the sunshine….

From here it was a relatively short hop to our overnight stop a free Aire at Plage de Lermot – there are no marked pitches and all are sloping but it does at least have a view….

Once settled we took a walk along the coastal path firstly above Plage de Lermot….

And eventually down onto Plage Bon Abri ….

And along the beach to Plage de la Granville….

The beaches of Bon Abri and Granville were strewn with mussel shells which I guess had become detached from their rocks and washed in with the tide – not the most attractive beaches but a nice walk nonetheless.

Thoughts of the day:

  • What makes a good beach? Well the all look better in the sunshine but I guess for me it is about the sand, the backdrop, the clarity and colour of the sea and a feature of some sort that makes the beach stand out from the crowd.
  • I am getting the hang of the road signs – the key being to recognise the bit that you want and don’t bother trying to read the rest!

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 17
  • Miles walked – 7
  • Beaches – 5
  • Food – £21.30

Tuesday 14th October 2025 – a quiet one in Pleneuf-Val-Andre…

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A mostly sunny day and we have decided to take the day off from exploring new beaches and just have a day at home – even my Fitbit says I need a day off!

We started the day off with a nice stroll along the beach in the early morning sunshine…

Got on with some laundry and a bit of de-sanding – though as per that is a little bit of a lost cause and then went out for a proper walk all the way along the beach, captured in this panoramic shot….

Along the harbour….

And around the corner….

All in all a nice little find.

Thoughts of the day:

  • A day off every now and again is good for the soul – even I can get a bit beached out – well appreciating new ones that is!
  • As I am having to watch my data usage and have watched everything that I had downloaded (do need to find a solution to this) I have started playing Tears of the kingdom on the Nintendo switch so I might not be doing anything for a while!!

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 0
  • Miles walked – 5
  • Beaches – 1
  • Aire – £9.26
  • Food – £8.06