We’re spending a few days in Perros-Guirec, known mostly for the Côte de Granit Rose, a popular stretch of coastline with picturesque weathered rocks that have a tint of pink. Coming from the US, and having seen Utah, and for that matter, Colorado Springs with the amazing formations at Garden of the Gods, AND just coming from Tenerife (where the scenery was jaw dropping) our initial impression was pretty muted. But neither Utah nor Colorado have the gorgeous sea lapping up to the rocks, so we found that the overall experience was certainly worth our time!
The trail that goes along the coast here is called La Sentier des Douaniers, the path of the Customs Officers.
A path steeped in history
Created in 1791, the path was travelled by customs officers – hence its name – in charge of preventing smuggling. To keep an eye on trafficking and on the pillaging of shipwrecks, they strode up and down the coastline, night and day, in all weather! After falling into disuse in the early 20th century, the path experienced a revival in 1968, when a few passionate walkers decided to make it into a walking route. Today it goes all around the Brittany coastline, from M’ont Saint-Michel to the bridge of Saint-Nazaire.
And then there were all the non-hiking activities! Chris got to hold Elvis the Cat and we had dinner at a funky restaurant, eating French peasant food of a slow braised joint with potatoes and vegetable puree. It was good!
The following day after the meal in the funky restaurant, we went to a salad place to get a nice big green salad. Not so fast!…say the French. A salad in France often is mostly non-vegetable in contents. Not to say they are not delicious, but there would be little for a vegetarian to eat. On the vegetarian side, Chris got a vegetarian galette with mushrooms, onions and salsa that was amazing! We’ll have to try some more of those.
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