Cap Frehel visitor guide

Visit Cap Frehel, France

Cap-Frehel is a scenic spot on the northern coast of Brittany west of Dinard and close to the small village of Plévenon. The Cap is set on high limestone cliffs overlooking the sea to the north, and the wild heather countryside of the region inland.

The cape is also a designated bird reserve and a popular location with bird-spotters.

Visiting Cap Frehel

France This Way review: the views from Cap-Fréhel are very far-reaching and exceptional even when compared with the lovely coastal scenery you expect to find in Brittany so a visit is recommended

The drive along the coast to Cap Frehel is lovely, a clue of what you can expect when you arrive, although you might prefer to walk here along the long distance GR34 footpath...

There is a charge to use the car park, but no charge to visit the Cap so another good reason to arrive on foot or by bike. You should also be aware that this is a clifftop destination with no fences so children will need to be watched rather carefully!

It is quite a small peninsula so it is an easy walk along the coast, with a short walk through the moors of a few hundred metres to reach the coast from the car park.

If you walk beyond the lighthouse there is another outcrop of rock which is virtually an island and is constantly circled by seagulls and the lower part packed with nesting sea birds. An amazing sight and sound and one of the highlights of a visit!

The main lighthouse here, that dominates the views as you arrive was built in 1950. This lighthouse can be visited (it costs around three euros to enter) and in clear weather even the Channel islands can be seen in the distance. To enjoy this view you will first need to climb 150 stairs, unfortunately!

The second lighthouse at Cap-Fréhel, a round tower, is further along the coast, and was built in 1650 by Louis XIV. This tower is not open to the public.

To visit nearby

The village of Plévenon is near to Cap Fréhel, and most visitors will also want to visit Fort de la Latte. The fort is a 14th century castle in a dramatic clifftop location a few kilometres east of Cap-Fréhel and one of the most popular chateaux in Brittany.

After all that exercise you will perhaps be looking for a beach for the afternoon? There is a large beach at Sables-d'Or-les-Pins a short distance west of Cap Fréhel, and the resort at Saint-Cast-le-Guildo to the east also has a popular sandy beach. Finally perhaps continue to the historical centre of Dinard for your evening promenade and dinner!

Explore elsewhere in the Brittany coast. You can find more travel ideas in the Cotes-d'Armor guide and the Brittany guide.