The best walks and hikes around Pleumeur-Bodou

Ploumanac’h is a small fishing village on the northern coast of Brittany, the so-called Côte de Granit Rose, the pink granite coast. The formerly independent village now belongs to the municipality of Perros-Guirec.

Ploumanac’h is a small fishing village on the north coast of Brittany, the so-called Côte de Granit Rose, the pink granite coast. The formerly independent village now belongs to the municipality of Perros-Guirec.

The Ploumanac'h Lighthouse (Phare de Mean Ruz) is nestled among the striking pink granite cliffs. Built in 1946 from pink granite, it serves to ensure navigation by marking dangerous coves and cliffs. At approximately 15 meters high, the square tower is a popular photo subject and a typical stop for hikers on the historic Sentier des Douaniers (Customs Officers' Trail). Other nearby attractions include the Château du Diable and the Petite Baie de Ploumanac'h.

The Customs Officers' Path (Sentier des Douaniers) is a historic coastal hiking trail originally used by customs officers to monitor the coast and prevent smuggling. Today, it is part of the GR34 and attracts hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. Along the way, you pass impressive pink granite cliffs, small coves, lighthouses, and historic guérites, the former customs officers' sentry boxes. The route offers breathtaking views of the sea and coastal landscape, combining nature, history, and spectacular photo opportunities.

Over millions of years, the interplay of wind, rain, sea, and erosion has carved the most incredible forms out of solid pink granite. Bizarre boulders rise from the ground everywhere, some resembling small castles, others resembling strange animals. Particularly striking is the Château du Diable, whose castle-like silhouette captures visitors' imaginations. The entire coastal landscape is so dramatic and unique that one almost feels as if they are in another world.

The pink granite formed approximately 300 million years ago in the Upper Carboniferous during the Variscan orogeny, a period of mountain building resulting from the collision of the ancient continents Gondwana and Laurussia, as well as several microplates. Erosion of the overlying layers of the earth and gradual degradation due to rising sea levels after the last ice age led to a widening of the fracture surfaces of the orthogonal fracture system and the formation of the special rock formations. These are best viewed on the old Customs Officers' Path (French: Sentier des Douaniers) from Perros-Guirec to Ploumanac'h. The granite owes its characteristic color to its hematite and alkali feldspar content.

Plan plenty of time with children: climbing is a lot of fun!

The current lighthouse was built in 1946 to replace the original 1860 lighthouse that German forces destroyed in August 1944, with architects required to harmonize the design with the protected surrounding landscape. The lighthouse features interior mosaics created by renowned Rennes artist Isidore Odorico and offers panoramic views of Costaérès Castle and the Seven Islands archipelago.