Guildo Castle and ringing stones! ⏳
A little outing that combines French History and the unusual, does that appeal to you? 👢
Go back in time and the Arguenon during your visit to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo! On foot, by kayak or canoe, explore a surprising heritage during your vacation in Britain. Stones that sing and ruins that speak, warm up the Delorean, we'll take you on 3 escapades to discover the Château du Guildo! 💪
🚣All in kayak: accompanied ride on the water!
Want a stroll along the water… And time? So, get out the sailor paddles: Head west towards Saint-Cast-le-Guildo! ⛵
At the Guildo, come and meet Mathieu, qualified guide and creator of “Heading West”, for a guided kayak trip. In a small group, to avoid disturbing the wildlife - and because it's more fun, we're not going to lie - sail between heritage and nature on the waters of the Arguenon estuary. On your ship, you will come across animals and landscapes typical of the Côtes d'Armor! 😍
Want to be your own guide?
Paddle, kayak and canoes… Meet at the Port du Guildo for a wave-free outing thanks to the Guildo canoes ! With family, friends or lovers, enjoy a stroll in complete serenity. Unless you take the GR 34 to make the stones ring and treat yourself to a lazy afternoon on the beach... It's up to you. In any case, all that remains is to say Namaste! 🧘
✨ Our opinion on the matter: A small, quiet port typical of Breton heritage and gourmet products like nowhere else in France!
📍 The post-it of the walk:
Kayak at Guildo, port of Guildo,
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
🏰 Château du Guildo, the unmissable spot
During your trip, why not swap kayaking for a few hours for a visit to the guildo castle ?
Contrary to what its name indicates, the ruins of the Château du Guildo are located on a rocky spur in the town of Créhen (yes, it's counterintuitive 😅). Sometimes called “the Château de Gilles de Bretagne” (because it belonged to Gilles de Bretagne, for those who have not followed 😉), it is ideally located, since it allowed its brave lord to monitor the trade maritime and the arrival of possible enemies! Constructed, deconstructed, razed, rebuilt... Between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, we can say that the castle has seen some tough times since its first stones were laid!
It still had its hour of glory in the XNUMXth century, thanks to Françoise de Dinan (wife of Gilles de Bretagne). It gave it the little spruce up it so badly needed at the time and made it a medieval stronghold. But successive wars ended up ruining the castle, which fell into disuse and which was even used as a stone quarry in the XNUMXth century...
Now classified as a Historic Monument and Sensitive Natural Area, the Château du Guildo has been the subject of 20 years of archaeological excavations which have allowed it to be represented as it must have been in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries! It is open to the public all year round, interpretation panels allow you to find out everything about its history linked to the Kings of France and England, and it is even accessible by virtual tour (we told you we would travel back in time)!
After visiting its ruins (which have a stylish side, we can say that!), put on your swimsuits, it's time to go back to sea! Psst… Attention photography enthusiasts: at high tide, the view of the Château du Guildo from the Arguenon wins the prize for the best Instagrammable spot in Brittany! 📸
✨ Our opinion on the matter: Lovers of French History or typical landscapes of Brittany, the Château du Guildo is a must-see during your vacation in Dinan-Cap Fréhel!
🎺 The Arguenon Loop: a hike that will make the stones ring!
Hiking shoes on and a picnic in the backpack, you're ready to continue your journey through the centuries in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo!
Notice to lovers of nature and the History of France! Departing from Château du Guildo, you follow the banks of the estuary to enjoy an exceptional natural heritage. After all, it's not for nothing that the castle grounds are classified as a Natura 2000 zone! You will cross the Arguenon several times, while enjoying plants, birds and seals (yes, you read correctly: seals). Which you will nevertheless have to observe from more than 300m, unpredictable and wild, we advise you not to disturb them.
Saint-Pierre chapel dating from the XNUMXth century, XNUMXth century church in the parish enclosure of Saint-Lormel, dolmen of the Ville Génouhan and town of Créhen... After the living heritage, it is the exceptional buildings of Brittany which are at the honor on this hike! From old stones to old rocks, you travel through the centuries and surprises!
But already here you are at the Château du Guildo again. From there you have the choice: embark on a tour of the estate, or go in the other direction, just to prolong the pleasure… 😍
📍 The hike’s guide:
The Arguenon Maritime Tour
Guildo Castle,
Rue du Vieux Château, 22130 Créhen
Distance: 13,7 km
✨ Our opinion on the matter: The perfect hike for visits to discover the exceptional heritage of Brittany (because, after all, singing stones, you have to do it!)
🪨 Ringing stones of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo at your disposal!
On the return road, upon arriving at Notre-Dame-du-Guildo (or by crossing the Arguenon, by kayak or paddle from the Château du Guildo) continue your route passing the Arguenon river towards the port of Guildo and the Ringing Stones. To finally access the stones, you will have to wait for low tide, walk a hundred meters on a path and there... You will find stones unlike any other, scattered at a place called “Goule d'Enfer” near the GR34, (nothing diabolical, we reassure you. Whatever…)
To unmask them, hit them against each other. And there, surprise! They resonate, as if someone were knocking on metal! But the best way to get an idea is to form your own opinion!
🧚The legend that explains it all:It seems that Gargantua, who spent part of his life in Brittany, swallowed these stones after stopping in Dinan. Continuing his journey, he would have vomited them again, bothered by the smell of the Guildo's fish. But if you ask us, he had drunk too much cider... 🍎
👌 On the port of Guildo: we take it easy!
Why not a little breath of salty air during your visit to the Côtes d’Armor? Yes ? So head towards Guildo Harbor for a relaxing stroll!
Ferryman's house, customs house or the house of a Cap-Hornier captain, salt granaries, remains of a chapel, boats and old stones... The Port du Guildo is an immersion in Breton history! Once a renowned trading port, in which ships from Nantes, Rouen, Bordeaux and even England anchored, the small port lost its influence with the Great War, but it has retained all its charm! Spread out on both banks of the Arguenon, between Saint-Cast on the left and Créhen on the right, it can be discovered at high tide, to collect landscapes and Instagram stories made in Brittany!
During your vacation in Dinan-Cap Fréhel, don't miss out on a trip there, taking a stroll along the banks of the Arguenon, observing the ruins of the Guildo castle, visible from the other bank.
🍻At the Guildo, there are locals singing!
Lovers of good food, don't miss out on exploring the port and the streets that surround it! In addition to its irresistible charm, the Port du Guildo has many good places to visit at all costs!
👉 To start the day off right, start with a delicious lunch facing the ruins of the Château du Guildo from the tables of Happiness of Eléonore. While waiting for your scrambled eggs, explore the atypical interior of this inimitable café/concept store!
👉 Continue your 100% Côtes d’Armor stroll with a stop at the Ferme des Landes cider house and the delicatessen Chez Louis to stock up on local products!
👉 You can then choose to stay in the center of Notre-Dame-du-Guildo to enjoy a local menu at the restaurant The Guildony.
👉 Unless you prefer to return to the port for a meal by the water at the Gilles de Bretagne brewery
or just opposite Restaurant of the Old Castle
👉 In any case, save room for dessert at home Guildo biscuit factory : salted butter caramels, Breton cakes and kouign amann, gourmands will be delighted!
🖋️ The memo of good addresses at the Port du Guildo:
📍 The Happiness of Eléonore
9 street of the ringing stones
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
📍 Chez Louis - cellar and delicatessen
22 Rue de Chateaubriand
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
📍 The Guildony
27 The Blackbird Cross
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
📍 Restaurant Gilles de Bretagne
78 boulevard de l'Arguenon
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
(I.e. Restaurant of the Old Castle
9 Place Gilles de Bretagne - Port du Guildo
22130 Crehen
📍 Guildo biscuit factory
26-28 Rue de la Croix aux Merles
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
📍 The Guildo Canoes
Rue des quays, Port du Guildo
22380 Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
