Description:

The department was one of the original 83 departments created during the French revolution in 1790 and was originally named Cotes du Nord.  However, due to public opinion the name was changed in 1990 to Cotes d'Armor which means 'sea' in Breton.  The name is also reminiscent of the name the romans called the region 'Armorica'.

 

Some of the department is part of the traditionally Breton speaking area 'Breizh Izel', or Lower Brittany - an area which has a unique culture and identity from the rest of France.

 

 

Geography

 

The Cotes d'Armor department forms a large part of the northern coast of Brittany.  It is bordered to the north by the English Channel, to the west by Finistere and to the east by Ille et Vilaine.  To the south is the Brittany department Morbihan.

 

The capital of the region is Saint Brieuc.

 

The Cotes d'Armor has a long rugged coastline with steep cliffs covering over 350 km.  The department benefits from both the Emerald and Pink Granite coast with their individual and unique features.

 

Inland the Cotes d'Armor has rolling countryside and woodland.  The percentage of urbanisation in the area is much lower than the national average of 75% with over 50% of the department rural.

 

 

Climate

 

Cotes d'Armor has a warm maritime climate with mild winters and summers which tend to be warm but not become stifling. 

 

Average temperatures in summer reach a pleasant 25 degrees with a slight sea breeze.

 

 

Tourism

 

Cotes d'Armor has an abundance of holiday accommodation to suit all personal needs and budgets.

 

With over 350 km of coastline there are beaches to suit sports fans, families or simply if you want to relax.  The main beach resorts include Perros Guirec, Erquy, Saint Cast le Guildo, Trebeurden, Tregastel and Saint Quay Portrieux.

 

There are several good attractions in the area including L'aquarium Marin de Tregastel and the Armoripark.  Other places to visit include Dinan castle, the Cathedral of Saint Etienne and the distillery at Warenghem.

 

There are numerous events held in the summer in the Cotes d'Armor such as the 'Festival de Harpe Celtique', 'Fete des Remparts',  'Gouel ar Bugale Vreizh', the 'Saint Loup Festival' and the famous Brittany night festival 'Les Nocturnes'.  During November the 'Fete de la Pomme' is held.

 

 

Sports and other Activities

 

With its long, safe coastline the Cotes d'Armor has some great watersports facilities available such as scuba diving in Perros Guirec or paragliding along the beautiful coastal cliffs.

 

The beautiful countryside is ideal for hikes or gentle walks.  A particularly unique walk is to Gwin Zegal which is the last Breton port which can only be reached by foot.

 

 

Economy

 

The average household income in Cotes d'Armor is 12,641 € per year which is only slightly lower than the national average of 15,027 € per year.

 

A significant proportion of the economic activity of the Cotes d'Armor is agriculture.  Pig farming is particularly important to the region as is fishing thanks to the 7 commercial ports and 17 fishing ports of the Cotes d'Armor.

 

The Cotes d'Armor has a highly developed tourist industry, mainly on the coast, where there are many second homes.  The region also has two major technology centres around Lannion and Saint Brieuc which employ a large number of researchers, technicians and professionals.

 

 

Transport

 

The main airports within Cotes d'Armor are Dinard airport and Lannion airport which both have limited flights to the UK.  For more destinations Rennes airport is just 90 km from Saint Brieuc.  The department does not have a ferry port with routes direct to the UK although both Roscoff port and Saint Malo port are in comfortable driving distance. 

 

The department is easily accessible by car with good links around the area as well as to the rest of France.  Most of Cotes d'Armor is serviced by a well connected train station.  A direct route from Guingamp to Paris is available in 3 hours.

 

 

More Information

 

Articles and further information is available on all of the following towns and villages in  Cotes d'Armor;

 

 

Arrondissements

 

Dinan

 

Guingamp

 

Lannion

 

Saint Brieuc

 

 

Cantons

 

Begard

 

Belle Isle en Terre

 

Bourbriac

 

Broons

Callac

Lamballe

 

Loudeac
 

 

Do you know the Cotes d'Armor better than we do?  Please leave any comments, suggestions or advice to fellow readers below.

 

 

Check out Guide2Brittany for Cotes d'Armor property, Cotes d'Armor accommodation, Cotes d'Armor events, Cotes d'Armor news and classifieds in Cotes d'Armor.