Côtes d'Armor - Côte d'Émeraude
Cap Fréhel - Fort La Latte - Îlot Saint-Michel
The Cap Frehel Peninsula is situated along the beautiful Côte d'Émeraude. The peninsula boasts wonderful views of the surrounding coastal villages and towns as St-Brieuc and St-Malo, in clear weather you even can see Jersey.The vegetation of the moorlands of Cap Fréhel consists of purple heather, yellow gorse and white flowers that change colours with the seasons. About 700 native and migratory birds nest on the cliffs and the surrounding islets. These cliffs with reddish sandstone and greyish slate together with the blue and turquoise sea, offer a breathtaking panorama. These cliffs are up to 70m high and seem to fall down nearly perpendiculary. There are two lighthouses on Cap Fréhel. The first lighthouse, Tour Vauban, is still standing. The 15m high round tower was built in 1702. However, this first watchtower was only in use during the winter months and was powered by coal, burnt in the open on the roof terrace. It was lit throughout the year only in 1717. The current 32m high square stone lighthouse stands in the centre of a U-shaped building. The lantern peaks at 103m above sea level; it watches over the Baie de St-Brieuc, the Baie de St-Malo and the surroundings. It is indeed visible at a distance of 200m in foggy conditions and in clear wheater it covers about a 100km radius!
Fort La Latte is located about 4km southeast of Cap Fréhel and about 35km of Saint-Malo. This castle is located on a small headland at the Baie de la Fresnaye. It was built in the 13th century. In 1490 it was besieged by the English. Under the reign of Louis XIV it was turned into a fortress using the building plans of Vauban.
Îlot Saint-Michel (Saint Michael Island) is an uninhabited tidal island in the Channel near the resort of Sables-d'Or-les-Pins. It is accessible by foot only during low tide.
Located on the island is a small chapel, La Chapelle Saint-Michel de Rochecoul. The late 19th century chapel replaced earlier built structures dating from the Middle Ages, and was completely renovated in the 21st century. The chapel is a place of pilgrimage.
(Travel France Online, Wikipedia)
