Armorique Regional Park

Visit Armorique Regional Park, Brittany

The Regional Parc d'Armorique is found in western Brittany, in the Finistere department of France. The Parc extends as a long thin strip from inland Finistere out to the tip of the Crozon peninsula.

Exploring the Natural Regional Park of Armorique

It is the diversity of landscapes that makes Armorique so interesting, with attractive rolling countryside and rugged rocky coastline, the attractive Aulne Estuary, several picturesque lakes and the Monts d'Arree (Brittany's highest mountains), among the sights of interest.

There are a multitude of small towns and villages set amongst the attractive countryside, and numerous museums within the parc boundaries that explain the rich heritage and nature of the park, explain traditional arts and crafts and explore traditional buildings.

Crozon peninsula and the south-west

The Crozon peninsula to the south-west of Armorique Parc contains much of the coastline and several interesting towns and villages. Start with a visit to the village of Le Faou to the north-east of the peninsula.

The scenery is ever more dramatic as you move westwards, culminating with the view at Pointe de Pen-Hir at the most westerly point of the peninsula.

it is perhaps the coastline scenery of the Crozon peninsula that is the highlight of the parc - craggy and cliffy, with quiet beaches (attention required - many beaches on the exposed coastline are not safe for swimming) found between the dramatic rock formations that jut out into the sea.

Crozon itself, Camaret (with the Chateau de Vauban out at the end of the quay) and Morgat are often used as bases by those exploring the region.

Chateaulin, at the southern end of the Aulne estuary that crosses the parc, is a popular and pretty town to explore, with plenty of photo-opportunities provided by the canal front gardens and buildings. Following the Aulne river as it traverses the Armorique parc is also an interesting way to see picturesque countryside.

To the north of the peninsula make the trip to Landévennec where the remains of a 10th century abbey are surrounded by some very pretty countryside and lovely views over the Aulne estuary, then head east to Le Faou, a village classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

Inland in Armorique Regional Parc

The inland region to the east of the Crozon peninsula, that extends north-east almost to Morlaix, is a quiter area of unspoiled countryside, centred around the Monts d'Arrée, lakes and small towns and villages such as Houlgoat (see the large boulders at the 'chaos granitique du Houlgoat nearby').

The Monts d'Arrée hardly count as mountains, only reaching about 1000 feet altitude at the highest point, but are rather rocky outposts in lovely gorse and heather sprinkled countryside, and a good place to walk and see the wildlife of this quiet region of Brittany.

Parish Closes: One unusual architectural feature found in this part of Brittany is the so-called 'Parish Closes'. These are churches that are built with the cemetery around the church, surrounded by a stone wall to keep the animals out. These have been constructed in various elaborate fashions, with some particularly impressive gateways set in the walls.

Although there are many of these that you will come across, particularly try to seek out the most well known at Thégonnec, Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau.

Islands

The Molene archipelago and Ouessant Island, to the west of Le Conquet, are also part of the Armorique Regional Park - see Molene and Ouessant.

Suggested places to visit near Armorique Regional Park, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Locronan 24km; Douarnenez 25km; Camaret 25km; Pont-Croix 34km; Quimper 37km; Audierne 38km; Le Conquet 38km; Morlaix 44km; Saint-Pol-de-Leon 46km; Ile-de-Sein 46km; Plouezoch 49km; Cairn de Barnenez 50km; Benodet 50km; Roscoff 51km; Ile-de-Batz 52km; Ile Molene and Ouessant 52km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Armorique Regional Park

Armorique Regional Park tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Menez-Hom - site of natural beauty (10km) : Conservatoire botanique du Stangalac'h - remarkable garden (19km) : Brest - ville fleurie 4* (19km) : Baie de Douarnenez - site of natural beauty (27km) : Pointe de Penhir - site of natural beauty (27km) : Saint-Renan - recommended detour (30km) : Jardin du prieuré de Locmaria - remarkable garden (37km) : Jardin du château de Lanniron - remarkable garden (37km) :

French version: see Armorique Regional Park (Francais)