In Belle-Isle-en-Terre, a range of opportunities for discovering nature and culture come together: a 16-kilometre cycling route, a signposted network of 200 kilometres of trails, activities related to aquatic habitats and several historic buildings. You can plan which of these themes will shape your stay according to your interests.
Trails on different scales
Since April 2021, Station Sports & Nature has offered a 16-kilometre route along minor roads and well-maintained paths. It is suitable for all ability levels and types of bicycle, including mountain bikes, trekking bikes and electric bikes. There is also a signposted network of 200 kilometres of trails, organised by difficulty and experience level and catering to families, hikers, sports enthusiasts and professionals. This means that a single, clearly measured cycling route and a larger, graded trail network are available as different planning options. Check current route conditions before setting out.
The Forêt de Coat-an-Noz et Coat-an-Hay woodland is a Natura 2000 site with trails for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. At the foot of the Château de Coat an Noz, there are also two botanical trails. These specific trail options differ in their focus: the woodland trails are open to several types of visitor, while the two trails by the château focus on botany. Access conditions may change; check before setting out.
The programme of activities at Station Sports & Nature can also help with planning. It includes around thirty activities, including nature activities, workshops and Rand’eau. The programme is seasonal. If you have a particular activity in mind, check what is available on your travel dates.
Rivers and aquatic habitats
The Curieux de Nature Aquarium has ten freshwater and estuary aquariums. Its interactive concept takes visitors on a journey through Breton rivers, from source to sea. The number of aquariums may change if the facility is redesigned; before visiting, also check the current visitor information.
The Centre Régional d’Initiation à la Rivière in Belle-Isle-en-Terre is a centre for discovering aquatic habitats and raising awareness of them. It organises themed outings for summer visitors. As this offering is seasonal, it is worth checking the available dates for your planned travel period.
For anglers, the 800-metre Les Jardins du Guer fishing trail is another option: it runs along the LĂ©guer and is intended for beginners. As information about its use may change, check the current conditions in advance. At Kernansquillec, the natural site is open to the public, and a themed trail tells the story of the place. Here too, it is advisable to check access conditions before visiting.
Chapels and architectural history
The Chapelle Locmaria, also known as Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pendréo, overlooks the Léguer valley. Its main feature is a polychrome wooden rood screen; the frieze depicts twelve carved apostles. Its position above the valley and its artisanal details offer two distinct points of interest for visitors.
The parish church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur was built during its main construction phase in the last quarter of the 19th century and was designed by Ernest Le Guerranic. The Château de Coat an Noz has a longer history: it was built in the mid-19th century on the remains of the Manoir de La Bosse, an older fortified building. In 1929, industrialist Robert Mond bought the château for his wife, known as Lady Mond.
The Château de Belle-Isle was probably built in the 12th century at the behest of the Counts of Brittany. Today, only the platform and traces of an urban fortification remain. The site is divided among several private properties and is used as a garden; check any access conditions before planning a visit. This makes it possible to distinguish the site’s historical significance from the practical possibilities for visiting it.
A local date to plan around
At the producers’ market in the halls of Belle-Isle-en-Terre, local products are sold on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. If you would like to include the market in your travel plans, check the date in advance, as market times may change.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-Des-Prés, Plénée-Jugon, Saint-Lormel, Saint-James, Pleubian, Trégomeur, Plussulien, Saint-Michel-En-Grève.
Return to the main travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
