I am back in the department Côtes d’Armor no 22 of my lovely Bretagne , and in my belle France. I was on my road warrior mode going from Lannion to Morlaix and took the scenic route on the D786 along the bay and with view of the English Channel. This new finds created the idea for this post combining two small towns with a punch, I like to combine them in this post ,bear with me, Therefore, here is my take on Saint Michel en Gréve and Plestin les Gréve !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Saint-Michel-en-Grève is located in the canton of Plestin, near Lannion is on the edge of the English Channel, with a short coastal facade giving on the “Lieue de Grève”, at the bottom of the Bay of Lannion, The territory is served by the road RD786 which we took all along the bay and facing the English Channel. It is 15 km from Lannion, and 30 km from Morlaix as well as 144 km from my house.
The main thing here me think and its awesome is the beach, The plage de Lieue de Grève beach, 4 km long, occupies the bottom of a bay discovering almost 2 km at low tide, Then ,you have the Grand Rocher or big rock, 84 meters high, which dominates the “Lieue de Grève”, is an old oppidum, occupied many times over the successive eras. The cave and the northern facade blockhouse shelter a colony of bats which includes three different species, There, is ,also, the Church Saint Michel of the 17C whose bell tower is from the 15C.
A bit of history tell us that the town seems to be linked to the foundation of a site, the origins of which are probably directly linked to the presence of the monks of the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey on the Lieue-de-Grève. The Cross of mi-lieue dated from the 16C and was a well-convenient landmark for those who crossed the “Lieue de Grève”, then forced to get from Morlaix to Lannion, because the dangers were numerous, especially the rising tide. In 1944, the cross was destroyed, without it being known if it was by the nazis or by the Americans. A new cross was erected in 1993. On August 10, 1944, the American Task Force received the order to take the next day and keep control of the Saint-Michel-en-Grève beach which was selected to become a landing platform for arms supplies and ammunition of the Allied troops during the siege of Brest ; these landings, around 80 in total of fuel and goods will continue until September 18, 1944.
The town of Saint Michel en Gréve on its heritage : https://saintmichelengreve.com/le-patrimoine-naturel/
The local Brittany Pink Granite tourist office on Saint Michel en Gréve : https://www.brittany-pinkgranitcoast.co.uk/cities-of-the-pink-granite-coast/saint-michel-en-greve/
Moving right along the RD786 on the coastal road facing the English Channel you arrive at Plestin les Grèves , More precisely from the Baie de Lannion, 15 km from Lannion, 17 km from Morlaix and 65 km from Saint-Brieuc. I have to say went around this part driving on my road warrior mode from Lannion to Morlaix (see posts),
It has a rich heritage to visit but we passed on our road warrior ways by the littoral of the English Channel and saw the extension of the wonderful beach above, worth a detour and awesome views, the pictures do not do justice to it.
In Plestin-les-Grèves there is a small marina in Beg Douar which can receive 130 boats, The Hogolo Roman thermal baths are located by the sea. They were initially discovered in 1892 by a farmer. It was not until 1938 that Colonel Pérès, municipal councilor, undertook real excavations, which continued until revealing in 1981 a thermal set of Roman times, built in the 1st century AD, then altered and enlarged later. The site has been open to the visit since 1992. The sanctuary was used between the 1st and the 3rd century AD. It consists of a rectangular sacred area surrounded by walls inside which the temple is established ,on the ground is square in shape. June 26, 1819 were discovered in the Church Saint-Efflam the supposed relics of Saint Efflam. The church was built in the 15-16C,
In addition, you have in or around the town, the Chapelle Sainte-Barbe where the bells carries the date of 1609. Inside, the chapel contains a beautiful beam of glory, polychrome statues of Saint Barbe, Saint Appoline, Saint Roch, Saint Louis King of France, Saint Mark and God of pity statue, The Chapelle Saint-Jacut, rebuilt in 1496 and devoted in 1498, The Chapelle Saint-Efflam dates from the 16C, but has been very altered since. The Saint-Efflam fountain is located below the chapel, The Chapelle Saint-Sébastian dates from the end of the 15C or the beginning of the 16C, revised in the 17-18C,
Also, the Château Coat-Caric ; the Château de Lancarré; the Château de Lesmaës ,and the Manor of Kerviziou, both dating from the 16C and the Manor of Leslach 17C; the Manor of Kerallic, with its rich “noble” decor of the double door in a hug flanked by a tower pierced with a murderer; the Manor de Leslac’h, and the Manor de Lezorme.
The town of Plestin les Gréves on its heritage : https://www.plestinlesgreves.bzh/culture/patrimoine
The local Brittany Pink Granite tourist office on Plestin les Gréves : https://www.brittany-pinkgranitcoast.co.uk/cities-of-the-pink-granite-coast/plestin-les-greves/
There you go folks, blending architecture, and history, and wonderful seashore all in one road warrior tour of the harbor and English Channel. This is a wonderful ride that would be looking forward to be back, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the towns of Saint Michel en Gréve and Plestin les Gréve !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 