For a timeless getaway off the beaten track, head for Brittany! Just a few hours from the capital, this coastal road links charming villages along the coast, offering spectacular panoramic views. Approximately 80 kilometers long, this itinerary is the perfect road trip!
One of France’s most beautiful roads lies to the west of the capital
Between Cancale and Cap Fréhel, the Côte d’Émeraude road winds its way along the English Channel for almost 80 kilometers. Its name, borrowed from the dazzling color of its waters, is not misleading: here, the sea changes hue every hour of the day, from deep blue to translucent green. Cliffs, dunes, coves and picturesque harbours follow one another, offering one of the most spectacular coastal panoramas in France.
The journey begins in Cancale, famous for its oysters, which can be tasted overlooking the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. Further on, the corsair town of Saint-Malo unfurls its ramparts, bustling port and cobbled streets steeped in history. The route then skirts the seaside resorts of Dinard and Saint-Lunaire, popular since the Belle Époque, before reaching Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, a tranquil jewel with an end-of-the-world feel.
The route culminates at Cap Fréhel, a wild, windswept headland dominated by its mythical lighthouse. From here, the view extends as far as the Bay of Saint-Brieuc and, on a clear day, as far as Jersey. Below, the steep cliffs are home to colonies of seabirds and a preserved ecosystem. A few kilometers away, Fort La Latte, a medieval castle set on the edge of the void, looks like something out of a movie set. Finally, the last stop is Erquy and its superb unspoilt beaches.
While summer attracts holidaymakers and surfers, the Côte d’Émeraude retains all its charm in autumn or spring, when the roads empty and the Breton light sublimates the rocks and sea spray. It’s also the perfect time to take to the road by bike or on foot, following the customs trail (GR34), which hugs the coast and lets you discover the coast at your own pace.
📍Location: Emerald Coast road
🗺️ Itinerary: 80 kilometers, from Cancale to Erquy