# Perros-Guirec

> commune in Côtes-d'Armor, France

**Wikidata**: [Q239943](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239943)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perros-Guirec)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/perros-guirec

## Summary

Perros-Guirec is a commune located in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany, France, situated on the Pink Granite Coast (Côte de Granit Rose). Known for its distinctive rose-colored granite rock formations, the town serves as a coastal resort and fishing port in northwestern France, with a rich maritime heritage featuring several historic lighthouses.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Côtes-d'Armor department, Brittany region, France
- **Coordinates**: 48.813333°N latitude, -3.443333°W longitude
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (since 1789), part of Lannion arrondissement
- **Canton**: Perros-Guirec (established March 22, 2015)
- **Population**: Approximately 7,300 residents (figures range from 6,866 to 7,773 across historical records)
- **Aliases**: Perroz-Gireg
- **Official website**: http://www.perros-guirec.com
- **Department inception**: Côtes-d'Armor established March 4, 1790
- **Notable landmarks**: Sept-Îles lighthouse (1835), Ploumanac'h lighthouse (1944), Triagoz lighthouse (1864), oratoire de Saint-Guirec
- **Nearby features**: Jentilez archipelago, Île Bono island, Ploumanac'h settlement
- **Sports club**: U.S. Perros-Louannec (founded February 28, 1938)
- **Wikipedia presence**: 46 sitelinks
- **Image**: Features the Pink Granite Coast and Ploumanac'h lighthouse (photograph by Polmars, public domain)

## FAQs

**What is Perros-Guirec known for?**

Perros-Guirec is renowned for its Pink Granite Coast (Côte de Granit Rose), featuring distinctive rose-colored granite rock formations sculpted by wind and sea. The area includes several historic lighthouses and attracts tourists for its unique geological formations and coastal scenery.

**What department and region is Perros-Guirec in?**

Perros-Guirec is located in the Côtes-d'Armor department in the Brittany (Bretagne) region of northwestern France. It is part of the Lannion arrondissement.

**What lighthouses are located near Perros-Guirec?**

The area features several significant lighthouses: Sept-Îles lighthouse (built 1835), Ploumanac'h lighthouse (rebuilt 1944), Triagoz lighthouse (built 1864), and the oratoire de Saint-Guirec on an island. These navigational aids have guided ships along the treacherous Breton coast for generations.

**What administrative changes have affected Perros-Guirec?**

As a French commune, Perros-Guirec has existed since 1789. The canton of Perros-Guirec was formally established on March 22, 2015, as part of French administrative reorganization. The commune falls under the arrondissement of Lannion.

**What sports and cultural activities are available in Perros-Guirec?**

The town is home to U.S. Perros-Louannec, a French association football club founded in 1938. The coastal location supports fishing, water sports, and tourism centered on the Pink Granite Coast's unique geological features.

## Why It Matters

Perros-Guirec matters as a quintessential example of Brittany's coastal heritage and geological wonders. The Pink Granite Coast represents a unique natural phenomenon where rose-colored granite formations create otherworldly landscapes that attract geologists, photographers, and tourists alike. The town's network of historic lighthouses—some dating to the 1830s—demonstrates the maritime engineering prowess and the historical importance of this coastline for naval navigation.

The commune serves as an economic hub for the northern Côtes-d'Armor region, supporting fishing, tourism, and local commerce. Its proximity to the Jentilez archipelago and multiple offshore islands makes it a center for marine biodiversity and coastal conservation efforts. The presence of U.S. Perros-Louannec since 1938 reflects the town's sporting traditions and community cohesion.

From an administrative perspective, Perros-Guirec represents the French communal system that has governed local affairs since the revolutionary period of 1789, while the 2015 establishment of its own canton demonstrates ongoing decentralization and local governance refinement.

## Notable For

- **Pink Granite Coast**: Home to the famous rose-colored granite rock formations sculpted by natural elements
- **Historic lighthouses**: Features four significant lighthouses including Sept-Îles (1835), one of the oldest in the area
- **Geological significance**: The Jentilez archipelago and surrounding granite formations attract scientific study
- **Maritime heritage**: Longstanding fishing port and coastal navigation center
- **Administrative continuity**: Part of French communal system since 1789
- **Modern governance**: Serves as seat of its own canton since 2015
- **Sports tradition**: Home to U.S. Perros-Louannec football club since 1938

## Body

### Geography and Location

Perros-Guirec occupies a strategic position on the northern coast of Brittany, facing the English Channel. The commune sits at coordinates 48.813333°N latitude and -3.443333°W longitude, placing it on the western side of the Pink Granite Coast—a 30-kilometer stretch of shoreline renowned for its distinctive rose-colored granite formations. These ancient rocks, dating back approximately 300 million years, have been shaped by wind, rain, and tidal forces into remarkable shapes that draw visitors from around the world.

The coastline features numerous coves, beaches, and rocky outcrops interspersed with small islands and archipelagos. The Jentilez archipelago lies offshore, comprising several small islands that add to the area's maritime character. The nearby Île Bono and the oratoire de Saint-Guirec island represent additional coastal landmarks within or near the commune's territory.

### Administrative History

Perros-Guirec operates as a commune, the smallest administrative division in France, a status that dates to the revolutionary reforms of 1789 when the modern system of communal governance was established. The commune is situated within the Côtes-d'Armor department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial division of France into departments following the Revolution.

The town belongs to the arrondissement of Lannion, one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating state services and local governance in northwestern Brittany. On March 22, 2015, as part of France's ongoing administrative decentralization, the canton of Perros-Guirec was officially established, granting the town increased administrative significance within the departmental structure.

### Maritime Infrastructure and Lighthouses

The waters off Perros-Guirec have long been treacherous for navigation, necessitating the construction of multiple lighthouses to guide vessels safely along the coast. The Sept-Îles lighthouse, built in 1835, stands as one of the oldest navigational aids in the area, positioned to warn ships of the dangerous shoals and rocky outcrops near the Sept-Îles islands.

The Ploumanac'h lighthouse, rebuilt in 1944 following destruction during World War II, has become an iconic landmark and symbol of the Pink Granite Coast. Its strategic positioning allows it to cover the most dangerous sections of coastline near the famous granite formations. The Triagoz lighthouse, constructed in 1864, provides additional coverage for the northern approaches to the coast.

The oratoire de Saint-Guirec represents a different type of coastal landmark—a small island with religious significance that has served as a navigation reference point for sailors throughout the centuries. These lighthouses collectively form a network of maritime safety infrastructure that has protected seafarers for nearly two centuries.

### Demographics and Community

Perros-Guirec maintains a population of approximately 7,300 residents, though historical census figures show some variation over the years, with recorded numbers ranging from 6,866 to 7,773. The population density reflects the town's character as a moderate-sized coastal settlement rather than a major urban center.

The community supports local commerce, tourism, and traditional fishing activities. The town's identity is closely tied to its maritime heritage and its unique geological environment, which shapes local economy and quality of life. The presence of the U.S. Perros-Louannec football club since 1938 demonstrates the town's sporting traditions and community organizations that foster local engagement.

### Cultural and Tourist Significance

The Pink Granite Coast represents Perros-Guirec's primary tourist attraction, with the rose-colored formations providing stunning visual appeal that differs dramatically from typical European coastal landscapes. The granite's distinctive pink coloration results from the mineral composition of the rock, primarily feldspar minerals that give the stone its characteristic hue.

Tourism infrastructure includes the official municipal website (http://www.perros-guirec.com) which provides information for visitors. The area supports hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities catering to visitors drawn by the natural beauty and coastal walking trails. The proximity to Ploumanac'h—a neighboring settlement also famous for its granite formations—creates a broader tourist destination area.

### Regional Context

Perros-Guirec exists within the broader context of Brittany's northern coast, a region known for its Celtic heritage, distinct language (Breton), and maritime traditions. The department of Côtes-d'Armor encompasses diverse landscapes from the Pink Granite Coast to inland agricultural areas, with the town serving as a gateway to one of Brittany's most distinctive natural wonders.

The arrondissement of Lannion provides administrative services and serves as a regional center for the northern coast, while the town's own canton status since 2015 reflects its growing importance within the local governance structure. This administrative recognition acknowledges Perros-Guirec's role as a service center and population hub for the surrounding coastal communities.

## References

1. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
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19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
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24. BBC Things
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26. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
27. Quora
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29. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File