The characterful small town of Tréguier in Côtes-d'Armor, evangelised in the 6th century, is one of the seven stops on the Breton pilgrimage, the Tro Breiz.
This old episcopal city has a cathedral built in the 14th and 15th centuries: the Gothic St. Tugdual, named after the monk who converted the town to Christianity, is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Brittany. People come from far and wide to admire the bestiary in the stalls of the choir and the tomb of St. Ivo, patron saint of the region and a champion of the poor. Don't miss the 15th-century cloister, which is magnificent with its 48 arcades, and the 17th-century Augustinian convent.
The historic quarter extends to the harbour, with its half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, narrow streets, hidden gardens and mansions: on Place du Martray, Rue Renan and Ruelle Saint-Yves, half-timbered façades abound, including the home of the philosopher Ernest Renan. One third of the municipality is a conservation area.
Located by an estuary washed by the tides, Tréguier has a commercial harbour which is mainly used for leisure.
Historic capital of Trégor, the commune of Tréguier is located in Brittany, in the department of Côtes-d'Armor. City of character, it takes place in the arrondissement of Lannion, less than ten kilometers from the sea, at the confluence of Jaudy and Guindy. It is also a modest commercial port, which is now used mainly for recreational purposes.
Formerly an episcopal city, Tréguier was founded in the 6th century by a Welsh monk, Tugdual, who is also one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. The city is experiencing an important development around the 14th century, including the installation of artisans of art, while printing and maritime commerce are taking off at the same time. Today, the city is best known for its tourist activity, and part of its old center is even classified as a protected area.
Tréguier has retained much of its medieval and Renaissance heritage and thus unveils outstanding monuments in its old center.
The old center of Tréguier is full of old houses classified or listed in Historical Monuments. These half-timbered houses date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and testify to the wealth of the commune at the time. On the Place du Martray, in particular, the facades make you want to look up to admire the wooden sides and the corbellements.
Classified in 1944, Ernest Renan's birthplace also deserves attention. Dedicated to the work and life of the French philosopher, writer and historian, this half-timbered house from the 16th century reveals personal memories, manuscripts, and portraits of the great man. A statue in its effigy was erected at the beginning of the twentieth century and provoked many negative reactions, especially on the part of the Catholics. In response to the work, a Calvary of the Protestation was installed in 1904, sculpted by Yves Hernot. He represented Saint Yves, Saint Tugdual, Saint Maurice, Saint Louis and Joan of Arc.
Built between the 14th and 15th centuries, the Saint-Tugdual Cathedral has been classified as a Historic Monument. Its three towers which dominate the transept blend harmoniously the styles, with Gothic influences for the Tower of the Sanctuary, or even Romanesque for the Hastings tower, the oldest that dates from the twelfth century. Inside, the vaults are Tudor-style, while Neo-Gothic or Renaissance works are also found. The stained-glass windows present biblical themes from the Old Testament or the Gospels. The treasury of the building has beautiful furniture, while the cloister, accessible from the transept, is an interesting alignment of about forty Gothic arcades. On the promenade you can discover several lying figures from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Other religious buildings of the municipality have been inscribed in the Historical Monuments, like the chapel of the Paulines or the convent of the Augustines. Note that the old church of Saint-Michel, which has a bell tower of the fifteenth century, has been classified.
Walking through the old center of Tréguier, you will have the opportunity to admire the old bishopric which today houses the town hall. It was classified for its roofs and facades and listed for its deliberation room. Not far away, the Hotel de la Tour has also been listed and listed in the Historical Monuments.
The post office, inscribed, as well as the manor of Kernabat, whose gate has been listed in the Historic Monuments since the 1930s, will also be observed. A walk on the harbor also offers good entertainment.
