Paimpol is a coastal town and commune in the department of Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany, France, on the edge of the English Channel. It has been a renowned fishing port for centuries. The harbour front and the town center are made up of pretty little houses.

Understand

The harbour

The municipality has some 7,200 inhabitants (2021). It is a tourist destination, especially during the summer months, when people are attracted by its port and beaches.

Get in

The town lies 35 km north-west from Saint-Brieuc, the capital of the department, and its airport. It is a similar distance from Guingamp on the Paris–Brest railway, from where there are trains.

The town is on the old D 786 national road from Saint-Malo (116 km east) and Saint-Brieuc (37 km southeast) to Lannion (34 km west) and Morlaix (72 km southwest).

• 1 Paimpol's railway station. Paimpol station is the northern terminus of the Paris Brest line coming from Guingamp , which is used by both TER Bretagne and La Vapeur du Trieux. 

Get around

The centre, including the harbour, is compact enough to be explored on foot.

See

• 1 Beauport Abbey (on the main road from Paimpol to Plouézec, the abbey is just at the edge of the city; bus stop 'Abbaye de Beauport'). Built in the 13th century and destroyed during the French Revolution, its remaining arches now create a beautiful scene alongside the seashore. Sit on the shore and take in the view of the many islands nearby. Entrance is €6.5 but most can be seen from outside.. (updated Sep 2024)