Saint-Michel-En-Grève is a seaside resort at the end of the Bay of Lannion. The Lieue de Grève, trails along the coast and river, and historic buildings give the destination a variety of highlights. When planning your stay, you can start by deciding whether the beach and wind-dependent water sports, a route on foot or by bike, or the town’s architectural history matter most to you. This helps you organise your interests for the stay without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Coast and Lieue de Grève
The village overlooks the sea to the west and a fine sandy beach. The Lieue de Grève is a four-kilometre-long fine-sand beach; Saint-Michel-En-Grève is a seaside resort at the end of the Bay of Lannion. The coast is particularly exposed to westerly winds and is especially suited to wind-dependent water sports. Conditions matter: wind and tides play a role in these activities. If you are planning them, take both into account.
There are car parks along the bay with access to the GR 34. Check locally for temporary works or diversions affecting access. The Vélomaritime also runs along the bay before continuing on to Lannion. For this cycling route, it is advisable to check the latest route guide for possible diversions. The two routes offer different reference points for planning along the coast.
Trails along the Kerdu
In the Kerdu Valley, a trail follows the small Kerdu River to Ploumilliau. It is reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The Route des Moulins also follows the Kerdu, along a former railway line. If having a named destination matters to you, the trail leads through the Kerdu Valley to Ploumilliau; the former railway line is a defining feature of the Route des Moulins. These details provide different ways to identify the trails without assuming a walking or cycling time.
Chapels and local history
Saint-Michel Church and its churchyard are protected as historic monuments. Different periods of construction meet at Sainte Geneviève Chapel: it was rebuilt in 1767 on the site of an earlier chapel, while the tracery of the east window dates from the 15th century. The rebuilding and the window feature therefore represent different stages in the building’s history. An annual pardon in honour of Saint Geneviève is held at the chapel; check locally for the current date.
The old quarter around Martray is also a useful point of reference for local history. It is home to the Manoir de Tourribel, dating from 1620, and the former courthouse, dating from the 16th century. Both properties are private. The dates place the buildings in different centuries and complement the religious architectural history of the church and chapel with other historic buildings in the old quarter.
An event on the beach
The history of the coast also includes an event from the Second World War: on 11 August 1944, three Allied LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) ran aground on the beach at Saint-Michel-En-Grève. This precisely dated event adds another historical highlight alongside the town’s architectural history. Together with the seaside resort, the long fine-sand beach and the various routes, it offers a choice of clear focal points for your stay: the coast, trails or history.
Discover more destinations: Mégrit, Matignon, Mûr-De-Bretagne, Saint-Briac-Sur-Mer, Pommeret, Carnoët, Bréhand, Coatascorn
For the main travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
