Welcome to Paimpol, the fishing and oyster farming centre of Côtes-d'Armor! This pretty little Breton town, once a peninsula, has been shaped by its maritime past, starting with cod fishing trips to Newfoundland and Iceland. Today, its glory is an oyster: the famous Paimpolaise!
Restaurants are legion in the old town, serving fish specialities, and there are delicatessens specialising in local products. These include the delicious cocos de Paimpol, semi-dried beans with AOC status. These shops sit alongside beautiful ship-owners' houses and half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, on picturesque side streets to be explored on foot. The Latin quarter is a maze of old streets that lead to the fishing harbour and marina. On Rue des Huit Patriotes stands a beautiful 15th-century house that is a listed Historic Monument, the Jézéquel House. It has been a hardware shop since 1886. Other sights to see are the Old Tower, part of the old church, and the Church of Our Lady of Good News, completed in 1914.
Three kilometres from the centre is Beauport Abbey, a magnificent, remarkably well-preserved monastic complex that is a Historic Monument and is well worth a look.
A great place for hiking with nearly 60 kilometres of coastal paths including the GR 34, the Paimpol-Goëlo area has stunning panoramas in store for you, including a beautiful view of Bréhat from the Rohou plateau.
Every two years in August, Paimpol harbour hosts the sea shanty festival, a festive and friendly event devoted to sea shanties and old boats.
