Moncontour

Visit Moncontour, Brittany

Note: there is more than one Moncontour in France: see also Moncontour, Vienne (Poitou-Charentes)

Moncontour is a charming small town in the Cotes d'Armor department of northern Brittany, to the south of Lamballe and south-east of Saint-Brieuc. Along with some of the other towns in the region, Moncontour was once the centre of Brittany's renowned linen production (said to be the best linen in the world, at its peak in the 17th century.

Exploring Moncontour

This medieval walled town still contains a good amount of its original defensive walls, built in the 13th and 14th century. Exploring the streets within the walls, mostly around the church and central marketplace, you will discover many attractive medieval buildings and houses of the gentry from the 17th century built from the proceeds of the linen trade, and also some older colombage houses.

Many of the houses are built in the local granite and have interesting features including the signs hanging from the walls that are on several of the buildings indicating their original purpose (or more recent interpretations such as the one above the tourist office).

The Town Hall and the church of Saint-Mathurin also date from this period of prosperity - visit the baroque style church to see the ornate clocktower and the lovely stained glass windows.

Attractions nearby

The surrounding region is known as the 'Pays de Mercantour', a quiet region of Brittany that has lots of signed routes through the countryside for walking, cycling and horse-riding, each following a particular theme - visit the Mercantour tourist office for more information.

Note: photo is copyright

See Brittany and Cotes-d'Armor (the region and department for Moncontour) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Moncontour: Moncontour falls within the Pays de Moncontour region

Suggested places to visit near Moncontour, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pontivy 41km; Dinan 44km; Josselin 45km;

Moncontour tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin du Colombier - remarkable garden (5km) : Quintin - ville fleurie 4* (21km) : Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marche - ville fleurie 4* (29km) : Jardin du Botrain - remarkable garden (32km) : Cap d'Erquy / Cap Frehel - grand site of france (33km) : Lac de Guerlédan - site of natural beauty (36km) : Saint-Juvat - ville fleurie 4* (43km) : Cap Frehel - site of natural beauty (43km) :

See more places and a map at places near Moncontour