Highlights
in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc

Are you a free spirit looking to push your limits and get away from it all? The La Folle Néteï trail is made for you! With two distances on the programme (9 and 16 km), this fun, night-time race combines sports and nature in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. By the light of your headlamps, with the GR®34 – the legendary customs officers' trail – as your playground, you'll discover a route strewn with pitfalls: monkey bridges, a staircase of boots, a slide, a castle moat ... Finally, the delicious reward: hot soup, a sausage galette and mulled wine. Thrills guaranteed!

Another major sporting event in Brittany, and, more specifically, in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc: the Glazig Trail. With no less than ten events and a host of challenges, this 61 km trail with a layout that is both technical and balanced cuts across the Sud-Goëlo, with its wild, steep and jagged coast. A treat for the participants, as the natural landscapes on offer are truly exceptional. From Plourhan to Etables sur Mer, via Binic, Saint-Quay Portrieux and Plouha, the race takes its name from the Glazig colour, from the Breton Glaz (a shade between blue and green that the sea takes on some days off the coast of Brittany).

Spring is marked by the return of the unmissable Entre Dunes et Bouchots trail. Each spring, running enthusiasts meet in the Côtes d'Armor – more precisely, in the town of Hillion. Open to all, there are several routes on offer – from 11 to 69 km – along with children's races, the 'trail des Petiots' (around 1.5 km), hiking, and even the ultra-trail. Beyond the sporting challenges on the programme, and regardless of which race you choose, you'll discover the Bay of Saint-Brieuc: its coastal landscapes and its magnificent viewpoints, with the unmissable Pointe des Guettes, not forgetting its forest paths or riverside walks along the Gouessant valley.

This exceptional product – the Coquille Saint-Jacques, or scallop – is the emblem of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, a bay with the fifth largest tides in the world and the second largest deposit of the species in France. This seashell, the most popular in the region, deserves to be honoured! Each year, the Bay comes alive with the Coquille Saint-Jacques Festival, held in one of the three shellfish ports of the Côtes d'Armor: Erquy, Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Paimpol. In 2022, Saint-Quay-Portrieux will host two days of gourmet celebration with the programme: including the sale of fresh scallops, concerts, tastings and sea outings.

At the heart of the largest nature reserve in Brittany, the Traversée de la Baie is an iconic maritime trail, with three routes to be discovered. With no significant difficulty, the first 14 km trail is ideal for beginners. It partly follows the GR®34 long-distance hiking trail, leading you to the Bay of Saint-Brieuc – with the fifth largest tides in the world. You'll cross several channels of water – always in total safety (never deeper than a swimming pool). The second, more difficult route, spanning 2 km, does not cross the bay in its width – instead, it spans its length. Most notably, this route passes by the Port du Légué and the pebble beach of Valais. Finally, the third, 34 km route offers up its share of beautiful surprises: after crossing the Bay and its channels, you'll reach the superb Rosaires beach. Not to be missed!

Art Rock is THE cult and emblematic festival of Saint-Brieuc, celebrated in the city for 37 editions. During the Pentecost weekend, stages are set up in the large squares located around the heart of the city. Plenty of concerts – of course – but also performance and dance, contemporary art exhibitions and the Rock n'Toques culinary event: a truly multidisciplinary festival. Unmissable!

For 9 editions, the Photoreporter – now known as the PhotoFestival – has established itself as one of the major cultural events in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. Each year, international artists are invited to present dedicated or poetic images, thus participating in developing a certain open-mindedness, an openness to the world, and an understanding of current affairs, of our society and of its evolution. On the agenda: artists in residence and exhibitions, all presented in the city of Saint-Brieuc and in the surrounding towns, accessible free of charge – a large part of which is outdoors. Beyond the exhibitions, other activities are on offer: photo courses for young and old, as well as guided tours.

Why not explore the Bay of Saint-Brieuc through its palace? Quintin, Petite Cité de Caractère® in the Côtes d'Armor invites you to spend a weekend discovering the Festival of Gastronomy as you indulge your taste buds! Each year, in the park of the Château de Quintin, the great Chefs comes to meet you and offer up culinary demonstrations, workshops, gourmet meals, a competition and a farmers' market. All with free, open access. Save the date!

Fill in with colours in Saint-Brieuc with the street art murals. There is even a yearly street art festival since 2018: Just do Paint. Witness some live painting during the festival and chat to the artists. Guided and self-guided tours will help you discover Saint-Brieuc new colours.

The history of Quintin, Petite Cité de Caractère de Bretagne®, has been woven from linen! From 1650 to 1830, the medieval city was more or less recognised as the most important commercial centre for the manufacture of Breton fabrics. The fabrics woven in Quintin were renowned for their fineness and whiteness, exported to Latin America via the port of Saint-Malo. Its architectural heritage pays witness to this prosperous period. As a result, every year, we celebrate this period during the Weavers Festival. Over the course of a day, you are invited to take a tremendous leap into the past in order to discover the journey and transformation of flax, from seed to fabric: highlighting the know-how, with a guided tour of the Linen Factory, the crafters’ market, entertainment and shows. Accessible to all, admission is free – with a festive and friendly atmosphere.

All Saints' Day, day of the dead, and Halloween across the Atlantic ... There's no need to cross the ocean, Saint-Quay-Portrieux has Samhain, the Celtic New Year's party, with entertainment for young and old – from goosebumps to the biggest thrills. Two days of festivities centred around a range of free shows, an autumn market, and plenty of entertainment.

The Quintin Street Singers Festival has, for 27 editions, featured around fifty artists and groups of vocal and instrumental musicians in the Petite Cité de Caractère®. It features a Ferme d'Antan historical farming museum, costumed parades, tavern and the 'P'tit Bal' dance for children. With catering and refreshments, including dinner show and cabaret evening.