There are many beautiful sights and hidden gems in Saint-Quay-Portrieux, but here are the top 3 places you can’t miss.
Ready to take a dip?
Saint-Quay-Portrieux has a large outdoor sea water pool which is the emblem of the town.
It was built in 1929 by excavating a section of rock on the coast, and was inaugurated 4 months later. The 25-meter-long pool, and the shallower children’s pool, are refilled with each high tide when the levels exceed 9 meters (high tide can go as high as 12 meters, completely hiding the pool).
Bathers can enjoy swimming, even when the tide is out, and they can also climb the diving board to jump off into the water. The original 2 level diving pit led to many accidents and had to be replaced.
Stay on course !
In a town known for its breathtaking sceneries, this might be the most impressive lookout of them all. The Pointe du Semaphore offers sublime panoramas of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc between Bréhat and the Cap Fréhel.
Once, a Roman watchtower was there to defend the coast from sea-borne attacks.
The semaphore was built later, in 1860, on a headland overlooking the town and the sea. During World War II, it was occupied by German troops, and then became the French Marine Recruitment Agency until 1958. In 1976, its purpose changed once again, and it is now a place from which sentinels can keep a watchful eye on local sea lanes.
The current semaphore was inaugurated on January 13th, 1986.
Adventure awaits !
Scarcely 250 meters across, needless to say the island can only be explored on foot.
Anchored opposite the beach of the same name, the walls on the island are actually the remains of a botanical garden that once belonged to the famous perfumer: Eugène Rimmel !
This island of green is easily reached at low tide, but make sure to check times with the Tourist Office so you do not get trapped, as once the tide rushes in, the causeway remains impassable for several hours.
The island was privately owned by several countesses, one of which claimed ownership of the shingle beach around the islet. She used to chase away anyone who got too close, hence the name “Ile de la Comtesse”.
The island became the town property in 1975.
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