Perros-Guirec

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Perros-Guirec is a small town and commune on the coast of Brittany in north-western France. It has been a popular seaside resort since the late 1800s, thanks to its beautiful coast and pleasant climate.

Geography and people
Perros-Guirec sits on the pink granite coast near the village of Ploumanac’h. The commune covers about 14 square kilometers. In 2023, around 7,336 people lived there, so it is a fairly lively small town. The people who live in Perros-Guirec are called Perrosiens.

Climate
The town has an oceanic climate, with mild winters and cool summers. It rains fairly often, especially in winter, and temperatures generally stay comfortable most of the year. Record highs can reach the mid-30s Celsius in hot summers, while very cold temperatures have occurred in winter.

Tourism and sights
Perros-Guirec is known for its pink granite rocks along the coast. It has three large sandy beaches that are popular with families: Trestraou (great for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing), Trestrignel (more exposed to wind), and Saint-Guirec (smaller and especially picturesque, with the Costaeres Castle on a nearby island). The area is home to many villas and manors built from local pink granite, giving the town a distinctive look.

Economy
Tourism is the main part of Perros-Guirec’s economy, supported by its coastal beauty and amenities. The town’s location near the city of Lannion is also important for work and technology. Nearby Île Grande used to be famous for granite quarries; rock from there was shipped by boat to Paris for building projects.

Breton language
In 2008, about 4.8% of primary school children in Perros-Guirec attended bilingual Breton-French schools.

Twin towns
Perros-Guirec is twinned with three towns: Teignmouth in Devon, England; Barr in Bas-Rhin, France; and Quintin, France.

Cultural references
The town is linked to Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. In the story, a teenage Vicomte de Chagny retrieves Christine Daaé’s scarf from the sea, and at her father’s grave the Phantom plays a piece on the violin.

Population note
People who live in Perros-Guirec are known as Perrosiens.