Monuments and History
Erquy has about 3,841 permanent residents. The commune covers 2686 hectares and includes almost 15 km of coastline. Its many hamlets (Caroual, Lanruen, les Hôpitaux, Saint-Pabu, Tu-es-Roc...) contain interesting examples of our heritage which reveal its history (a chapel, a dolmen, manor houses, a lighthouse…).
Erquy is twinned with Oupeye (in Liège Province ~ Belgium).
Château de Bienassis
Park, crenellated curtain wall, moat, main courtyard. Listed as an Historical Monument. Still inhabited. Visitors are admitted to the furnished ground floor: drawing room, guardroom, kitchen, dining room, staircases, chapel. French-style garden.
Open to visitors from mid-June to mid-September, daily except Sunday mornings.
Château de Bienassis
Tél : 00 33 296 72 22 03 - Fax : 00 33 296 63 18 27
www.chateau-bienassis.com
Evidence of local history
The lighthouse,
inaugurated in 1900, marked the completion of the jetty built at the time when Erquy was an important commercial port (transport of agricultural produce and pink sandstone paving stones).
The Guard House
at Trois Pierres was built in 1744. This building was part of a vast defensive system instigated by Louis XVI who formed coast guard companies and stationed batteries and guardhouses along the whole of Brittany's coast.
The Cannonball oven
was completed in 1794: the cannonballs were heated until they were red-hot so they could set enemy ships on fire!
The lifeboat shed
was used between 1935 and 1966. Since 1990, sea rescue has been provided by the speedboat "Plancoët" which is anchored in the port..
The Caroual viaduct
(big arch 45m wide), built between 1914 and 1916, enabled the first train to run from the Côtes d'Armor to Erquy from 1922 to 1948.
booklets on sale at the Tourist Office.
Religious Monuments
L'Église Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (Church of St Peter and St Paul)
Part of the church was built in the 12th century, using material recovered from Roman ruins.
La Chapelle des Marins (Sailors' Chapel)
Built in 1867, replacing a shrine dating from the 12th century, it became a place of worship for seafaring folk; Ex-Voto, statue of Our Lady…
La Chapelle de Saint-Pabu (St Pabu Chapel)
Dates from the end of the 19th century. Built to replace the ruins of a 16th century building. Guided tours depending on the calendar. A traditional festival at the Chapel is held on the 3rd Sunday of July.
La Chapelle Saint-Michel (St Michel Chapel),
whose origins go back to the 12th century, is built on an island. Work by a friends' association has enabled the recent restoration work. Guided tours depending on the calendar. Saint Michel island is linked to the coast by a natural pebble causeway covered by the sea at high tide.
Office de Tourisme d'Erquy
3, rue du 19 mars 1962 - BP 81 - 22430 ERQUY - France
Tél : 02 96 72 30 12 - fax : 02 96 72 02 88 - info@erquy-tourisme.com
- www.erquy-tourisme.com
