Have a stay in the Ker Moor Hotel in Saint-Quay-Portrieux, on the way to Saint-Brieuc and its amazing Maison Saint-Yves

Located on the northern coast of Brittany, the city of Saint-Quay-Portrieux is a charming town which seduces with its rich history, its picturesque seascapes and its authentically Breton atmosphere. Founded in the 15th century, Saint-Quay-Portrieux bears witness to the multifaceted history of the surrounding Côtes d’Armor department, even celebrating its Breton identity through various cultural events and other random local festivities. This includes traditional music festivals, art exhibitions and nautical events, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the year. Don’t also miss to walk around the quays, which are full of seafood restaurants, inviting visitors to taste tasty local dishes, unless you prefer practicing sailing, kayaking and scuba diving activities, accessible in a preserved marine setting, ie to explore marine life. By AP

Not far from the Pointe du Roselier lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the sea, displaying the rich maritime past of the region, don’t miss to go through the numerous beaches of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, such as the Casino beach and the Châtelet beach.

As you can see a wide potential of leisure moments can be offered to you, without forgetting the emblematic private mansions and public edifices to admire all around the town, such as the Saint-Quay church, which both combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. Visitors can enjoy some sea breeze, while notably exploring the picturesque coves, along the coastline (photo credits: AP).

For instance, the port of Saint-Quay-Portrieux is the heart of local activity, where fishermen are always ready to unload their precious cargo of fresh fish daily, creating an authentic and lively atmosphere. Also take advantage of your stay to visit the Côte du Goëlo which goes from Saint-Brieuc to Paimpol, unveiling typical fishing ports and wild cliffs, like those of Plouha, punctuate this very pleasant itinerary. 

Not far from there, let’s invest the unique Ker Moor Préférence Hotel, as well perched on a cliff, offering a panoramic view of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, located between the Port d’Armor and the Kasino. 

Overlooked by the splendid Château de Calan, nicknamed the “Turkish villa” for its extravagant neo-Moorish style, it was built at the end of the 19th century by the Count of La Lande de Calan.

By the way, the Ker Moor hotel was built in the 60s with an immaculate cubic facade, creating a contrast with the previously enunciated castle. This “hotel on the rocks” would be entirely renovated during this winter 2024, due to the impulsion of the new quatuor of owners. 

Thereafter, this establishment would be ready again to welcome visitors in a cosy and design framework, from the lounge until the various rooms. They already offer a contemporary and bright surface, and most of them are adorned with a spacious balcony, to admire this panoramic view over the sea and the tiny Île de la Comtesse. 

 

 

This small island has had many owners, including several countesses from whom it takes its name. Accessible at low tide, this curiosity was the property of the Eugène Rimmel‘s family, a famous perfumer, who used to grow rare plant essences and lavender, essentially used in the production of aromatic substances.

 

Perfect to spend a nice stay in communion with this maritime neighborhood, while benefiting from all the equipment you could need for at this occasion, so to say a courtesy tray, a security safe, a mini bar, a flat screen TV, and of course free WiFi…

You could even enjoy a real TV show, fulfilled by this seaside environment, ideally located for a good moment of relaxation, overlooking the passengers from the GR34 path. From the hotel overlooking the sea, you could walk along the Sentier des Douaniers (as “customsofficers“‘ path), the GR 34.

 

 

 

Indeed, this bucolic trail path passes at the foot of the hotel, offering a stopover for hikers and even a direct access to the beach, before eventually pursuing this very nice walk to the port and the beautiful beaches of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, where you will find good relaxing spots. 

Adding to this, if you are into cycling, the Vélomaritime EV4 way also crosses the Saint-Quay-Portrieux station, converting the Ker Moor Hotel a cycling Accueil Vélo station. For your information, an electric bike rental service is available in situ, from €15 to €25 (half-day or full day).

 

 

 

Ker Moor Preference Hotel, 13 Rue du Président le Sénécal, 22410 Saint-Quay-Portrieux (France) / Phone : 00 33 (0)2 96 70 52 22. More information on their official website.

Not far from it and still located in the heart of Brittany, the city of Saint-Brieuc reveals itself as a multifaceted city, harmoniously blending its rich historical past with a contemporary atmosphere. Saint-Brieuc was founded in the Middle Ages, naturally bearing the name of the eponymous bishop, called Saint Brieuc, who is said to have evangelized the region, in the 5th century.

Therefore, this Breton city proposes a blend between tradition and modernity, thanks to its cobbled streets, full of architectural treasures, such as the Saint-Étienne Cathedral as a backdrop. For instance, this Gothic masterpiece conveys a true testimony from medieval piety, inviting visitors on a journey through good old times.

Apart from this, this city comes alive to the rhythm of its dynamic cultural life, from artistic festivals to contemporary exhibitions. Indeed, Saint-Brieuc offers a wide range of events that appeal to art and culture lovers. Moreover, the walls of Saint-Brieuc could be a true color chart, oscillating between Art Deco style, with its rounded corners, bow windows and portholes, ironwork, floral and spiral motifs. Before pursuing through architecture facades and walls covered with countless street art frescoes. In particular, Odorico mosaics and street art punctuate this chromatic palette. By the way, this contemporary mural art has even been the subject of a dedicated festival, baptized Just Do Paint.

At this occasion, every year, international artists have been succeeding to imagine the various walls of Saint-Brieuc into multiple variations. This is also the case of the Shake Art festival, transforming the city center into a real open-air gallery, since 2018. That’s why today, there are more than 70 frescoes accessible to visitors and curious people. In order to learn about them, a specific themed path has been designed to allow anyone of you to discover these celebrations of graffiti and street art expressions, in and around. Perfect to immerse yourself in the distinct universes of those local and international artists that left their mark and highlight this urban art, through different techniques and influences. 

Beneath the restoration of historic buildings and respectful urban planning projects, the city strives to reconcile its heritage with the aspirations of the present. Furthermore, Saint-Brieuc invites you in its multifaceted spirit, brilliantly combining its historical heritage with such a vibrant modernity. This could be as well essentially illustrated by the chapel of Maison Saint-Yves, a colorful jewel decorated with mosaics and frescoes. Nested in a discreet quarter, on the heights of the Gouédic valley, don’t miss to pass by this unpredictable monument. Imagined by Harel de la Noë, the Maison Saint-Yves is an open place of religious life, for all the ones interested in heritage and art history.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays during the holidays, you could follow visits, where get unveiled the cloister, distributing the different spaces and functions. Built in 1927, this edifice borrows many codes of this period, from concrete, even wearing the bell tower. At its center, a graphic and sober landscaped garden, incorporating some religious symbolism. On top of that, the library preserves plenty of old books, some dating from the 17th century. Nonetheless, also admire the colossal fresco, realized by a Seiz Breur movement’s member, particularly through a series of diverted Breton ornaments. Thus, Xavier de Langlais depicts here the arrival of the monk Brieuc, in the nearby Bay, back in the 6th century, according to legends.