Tregastel, a place of impressive megalithic heritage

Tregastel is a small seaside resort located in the middle of the Cote de granite rose (The Pink Granite Coast). A very popular place for vacation, this town has only around 2,500 inhabitants, but during the summer season, this number gets multiplied by five. Tregastel has a rather interesting Marine Aquarium, and an event “Les 24 heures de la voile” (“The 24 hours of sailing”) is organized every year in August. But, this town is not only about sun, sea and sandy beaches. Tregastel and the area around are mainly known as a place of impressive megalithic heritage. So, don’t miss to visit those exceptional places and learn more about the prehistoric era. I promise you will be more than impressed!

The Tregastel Marine Aquarium

The Tregastel Marine Aquarium is a very unusual place. The Aquarium hall is located under a single block of pink granite, that weighs nearly 5,500 tons! Before the opening of the Aquarium in 1967, the place inside the pink granite cave was used as a chapel, a troglodyte home and even an ammunition depot during the World War II. Today, the Tregastel Marine Aquarium shows the marine life in three different zones defined by the height of the tide: the Sea-Spray Zone, the Tidal Zone and the Sub-littoral Zone. Many activities are organized in the Aquarium during the year, like the guided tours, exhibitions, workshops and classes where you can discover and learn more about the phenomenon of tides. At the end of your visit, climb to the statue of the “Eternal father” (le Père éternel) and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Pink Granite Coast.

24 heures de la voile

The “24 heures de la voile” (the 24 hours of sailing) is a sports and cultural event organized every year in August by the Nautical Club of Trégastel. Since 1973, this endurance race on dinghies, a type of small boat, became a trademark of the city and the region. The creation of this competition is much inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans), a worldwide famous car racing, held every year since 1923 near the French city Le Mans. This event is also a great opportunity to attend free concerts given by local musicians from Brittany. And during the race, on Saturday night, you can admire amazing fireworks.

Impressive megalithic heritage

Tregastel is mainly known as a place of impressive megalithic heritage. In the area around, you can visit several witnesses of the first human occupations of the Pink Granit Coast. Don’t miss to visit two dolmens (a type of single-chamber megalithic tombs) - “The Dolmen and the covered walkway of Kergüntuil”, classified as a historical monument in 1948 and “Le dolmen of the Renote island” also called Ty-Lia, which was classified as a historical monument in 1977. You can also see and admire two standing stones, called menhirs - “The menhir of Trémarch”, classified as a historical monument in 1960 and “The menhir of Keredol”, also known as “The menhir of Sainte Anne”. In order to be protected, this menhir was transferred close to the building of the Office of tourism in Tregastel.