Paimpol Tourist Office View

Paimpol – Introduction

Paimpol is a rather large town (or a small city), some 7100 inhabitants, located on the Northern part of Brittany. It’s a pleasant town, and therefore you’ll see many tourists during the summer month, attracted by the harbour, beach and restaurants. The photo above was taken from the Paimpol Tourist Office entrance.

The town is located along Brittany’s “Cote-d’Armor”, a beautiful and wild coastline lined with granite blocks (there’s even a section with pink granite blocks which is located next to Perros-Guirec).

Streets and Buildings

The name Paimpol was first recorded back in the year 1184. The first real “building” for Paimpol were established in 1202 (the Beauport Abbey). The town centre is not that old, but the streets are narrow and often for pedestrians only.

Beauport Abbey at Paimpol, Brittany
Beauport Abbey at Paimpol, Brittany

NOTE: Click here to read our review of the Abbey of Beauport.

You’ll not find many old houses or buildings like in Rouen or other old cities, but there are a few.

This is what many of the streets in the town centre look like:

StreetStreetStreetStreet
Street and houses in Paimpol, BrittanyStreet and houses in Paimpol, Brittany
Street and shops in Paimpol, BrittanyStreet and shops in Paimpol, Brittany
Street and shops in Paimpol, BrittanyStreet and shops in Paimpol, Brittany
Street and shops in Paimpol, BrittanyStreet and shops in Paimpol, Brittany

Not all streets in the city centre are like the ones above. The main square towards the harbour is more modern and wide;

Square close to the Paimpol harbour
Square close to the Paimpol harbour

Buildings are low rise,and often a century or so old. They are built in the typical Breton style; granite bricks with one floor and an attic.

HousesHousesHousesHousesHousesHousesTowerMarket
Shipowner's house built in the late 20th centuryShipowner’s house built in the late 20th century
Saint-Joseph school, built in the 19th centurySaint-Joseph school, built in the 19th century
Communal Hall (Salle des Fete), built in 1958Communal Hall (Salle des Fete), built in 1958
The house on the right (red) is the oldest house in Paimpol, dating back to 1570The house on the right (red) is the oldest house in Paimpol, dating back to 1570
House built in the 2nd half of the 16th centuryHouse built in the 2nd half of the 16th century
House built in 1600House built in 1600
Remaining bell tower of a church, built in 1760Remaining bell tower of a church, built in 1760
Covered fish market, built early 20th centuryCovered fish market, built early 20th century

The Port

The harbour of Paimpol is its mainstay. The harbour was famous towards the end of the 19th century for its Island/Newfoundland fishing. The Paimpol fishermen had been fishing cod since the 15th century.

The entrance to the harbour area sees an old fashion merry-go-round, made out of wood:

Merry-go-Round at Paimpol port entrance
Merry-go-Round at Paimpol port entrance

The harbour nowadays is mostly pleasure boats, including some rather large yachts.

Pleasure boats in the Paimpol marina
Pleasure boats in the Paimpol marina

However, there still is a rather active fishing fleet stationed here:

Active fishing fleet in the harbour of Paimpol
Active fishing fleet in the harbour of Paimpol
Old tuna fishing boat in the harbour of Paimpol
Old tuna fishing boat in the harbour of Paimpol
Outer harbour area of Paimpol
Outer harbour area of Paimpol

As you would expect from any self-respecting harbour, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes and terraces around the port itself.

Terraces, bars and restaurants around the Paimpol harbour
Terraces, bars and restaurants around the Paimpol harbour

The Locks/Sluice

The main Paimpol harbour has a lock/sluice to allow boats in and out even when the tide is low. Since the harbour is quite busy, it’s a great source of viewing. You can spend quite some time watching boats go through the locks. And best of all, it’s free!

Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4Map
The harbour side of the locks of PaimpolThe harbour side of the locks of Paimpol
The pedestrian bridge bringing you to the locks of PaimpolThe pedestrian bridge bringing you to the locks of Paimpol
Harbour side, inside the Paimpol locksHarbour side, inside the Paimpol locks
Paimpol locks openingPaimpol locks opening

Pointe de Guilben

One area of interest is the “Pointe de Guilben”, a long peninsula that is a hiker’s paradise.

Pointe de GuilbenMap
Pointe de Guilben at Paimpol, BrittanyPointe de Guilben at Paimpol, Brittany

NOTE: Click here to read our review of the Pointe.

Conclusion

Paimpol is an interesting place, particularly in the summer. It does get a bit busy when the weather is sunny.

With several items of interest and a long beach, you can spend a nice day or two here.

There are plenty of restaurants, either in the old city centre or around the harbour:

Restaurants in the old city centre of Paimpol, Brittany
Restaurants in the old city centre of Paimpol, Brittany

Of course, if shopping is one of your main highlights for a holiday, you’ll have plenty of choices here as well.

Shops and more shops in Paimpol, Brittany
Shops and more shops in Paimpol, Brittany

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