Discover history, culture and medieval charm in Lannion. The historic town is set on the banks of the River Léguer and will enchant you with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. Get lost in the medieval centre, climb the stone staircase to the hilltop church and visit a contemporary art gallery housed in a 17th-century convent.
Things to do in Lannion
The historic centre is a maze of cobbled alleys and sun-drenched squares. Half-timbered houses line the streets and give Lannion a fairy-tale feel. You’ll find some of the prettiest buildings along Rue des Chapeliers and clustered around Place du Général-Leclerc. The detail is incredible and many of the buildings are fronted by intricate stone and wood carvings.
Follow the stone staircase from the town centre up to Brelevenez Church. As you climb the stairs, you’ll pass traditional cottages set in flower-filled gardens. The hilltop church towers over Lannion and boasts sweeping views over the town, river and surrounding countryside.
Chapelle des Ursulines is a 17th-century convent reimagined as a contemporary gallery. Light streams into the convent through enormous arch windows and makes the ideal space for showcasing modern art. Exhibits are rotating, though you can expect to see works by Breton artists such as Geneviève Asse, Pierre Tal Coat and Jean Julien Lemordant.
The weekly market attracts vendors from across the region. Stock up on organic produce, fresh-baked bread and pastries, artisan cheeses and homemade preserves. Cider is a specialty and has been brewed in Brittany for centuries.
Lannion is a gateway to the Pink Granite Coast, where you’ll find sandy beaches, charming towns and beautiful chateaux. The coast is studded with rose-tinted granite rocks, which give the coast a unique appearance.
Getting around Lannion
Lannion is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot, especially in the historic centre. The town is in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany, a 3.5-hour drive from Nantes. Trains run between Paris and Lannion in four hours.