Tréguier is a petite cité de caractère (small town of historical interest) barely 6 km (4 miles) from the sea, between the river Jaudy and the river Guindy. This old episcopal centre has a magnificent cathedral. It also has charming little streets and half-timbered houses.

Tréguier was founded in the 6th century by Saint-Tugdual, one of the seven founder saints of Brittany. It instantly became the head of abishopric, and remained so until the Revolution. This is where Saint-Yves was born in 1253. He was one of the most popular Saints in Brittany, because he was the advocate of the poor. Today he is the Patron Saint of lawyers. The pardon in his honour, on the third Sunday of May, unites thousands of pilgrims every year. Ernest Renan (1823-1892), the famous writer, was also a child of Tréguier. The place where he was born, is now a museum, recalling his life and his memories. It is located in the street bearing his name (Tel : 33 (0)2.96.92.45.63).

The cathedral is one of the finest in Brittany. This architectural masterpiece was built between the 12th and the 15th centuries. The Hastings tower is the only vestige of the Roman building. The Tour Neuve (New Tower) (15th C) has a superb openwork spire (18th C). Inside, you will find the tomb of Saint -Yves, a very beautiful stained-glass window, 46 stalls (1509), etc. The magnificent cloyster, is a feast to ones eyes, with its 48 arches in Flamboyant Gothic.

The tourist office offers several guided tours which will help you to appreciate the rich town heritage and its half-timbered houses. You will pass in front of the old Tréguier granaries at the bottom of Rue Ernest Renan (street) then in front of the Protestation (protest) calvary (1904) and into the public garden. The Hôtel (town house)de la Baronnais (19th C) stands in the Rue Saint-André. Tréguier's precentor's residence (17th C) can be found in the Rue (strret) de la Chantrerie. The " Psalette ", where the young cathedral singers lived is in the pretty Rue (street) Saint-Yves. You will notice the major seminary and its Byzantine chapel in the Rue Perrot. You will see successively, the Hôtel Kermorvan and Duke Jean V's dwelling, in the Rue Colvestre. In the Poet's wood lies the tomb of the writer and poet Anatole le Braz.

You will come accross many arts and crafts and antiques shops as you walk through the streets.
The Tréguier harbour has 330 berths on pontoons.

Practical guide to Tréguier: 2679 inhabitants, "Trégorois"
Paris (518km/322 miles) ; Rennes (155 km/96 miles) ; Morlaix (56km/35 miles) ;
Lannion (19km/12 miles) ; Saint-Brieuc (59km/36 miles)

Mairie (Town Hall): boulevard Anatole Le Braz
Tel : 33(0)2.96.92.30.19
Postal code 22220

Tourist office: 1, place du Général Leclerc
Tel : 33 (0)2.96.92.22.33

Send this article
Print this article
Sky view