Trestel beach: our practical guide

Trestel beach, in Trévou-Tréguignec, is a broad bay of fine sand, shelving so gently that you can swim at any state of the tide. It has a lifeguard station, beach wheelchairs lent free of charge for visitors with reduced mobility, and surfing, paddleboarding and longe-côte all year round. We have been welcoming guests to Trévou-Tréguignec since 2003: here is what we tell them so they can make the most of it, summer or winter.

The beach at a glance

From the sand, the view stretches out to the island of Tomé and the Sept-Îles. It is a long beach, as good for sandcastles as for a brisk morning walk.

The very gentle slope makes all the difference for families: children can wade out without suddenly losing their footing, and swimming works at high tide and low tide alike.

Getting to the beach from our rentals

Our three rentals are not the same distance from the sea, which matters when you are carrying children, a parasol and a cool box:

• Apartment 24, in the Résidence du Grand Large, is 50 m from the beach. You can see the sea from the balcony and the living area, so you can check on the bay before heading down.
• Les Mouettes is 100 m from the beach. The GR34 runs right past the house, and you can pop back for lunch in the garden.
• La P'tite Maison is in the village, 1.2 km from the beach and 300 m from the shops. Walk, cycle (the outbuilding has room for bikes and surfboards) or drive: there is a car park at the beach.

Swimming at Trestel

Lifeguards

Brittany Tourism lists the beach as supervised, with a lifeguard station. Lifeguard dates and hours are set each summer: check with the town hall (+33 2 96 23 71 92) or, in season, the tourist information point, and swim in the flagged zone when the flags are up. An emergency call point, installed by the council in 2015, can also be used to raise the alarm.

Tides

The gentle slope means you can swim at any time, but the beach changes a great deal between high and low water. To plan your day, check the tide times on the SHOM website, the official French source, before you put the parasol up.

A beach for everyone

The council has equipped the beach for visitors with reduced mobility. Two chairs take you right down to the water: the Tiralo, an amphibious chair that rolls across the sand and floats, and the Hippocampe, an all-terrain chair that crosses the sand and goes into the sea. Adapted changing rooms and showers are on site. Access is completely free: just ask at the water-sports centre (Pôle Nautique) or, in season, at the tourist information point.

Surfing, paddleboarding, longe-côte: water sports

Trestel is a board-sports beach. People surf, kitesurf, windsurf, paddleboard, bodyboard and kayak here, and lifesaving teams train on it too.

• Trestel Surf Club, a local association based on the beach, teaches surfing, paddleboarding and bodyboarding, and hires out boards and paddleboards, according to the council's leisure page.
• The water-sports centre on the beach, like the surf clubs, runs sessions all year round, according to Brittany Tourism.
• Longe-côte, a group walk through the sea, happens every week all year round with the Saun'Activ Ocean association: Mondays at 10 am, Thursdays at 7 pm and Saturdays at 10.30 am. Wetsuits, boots and gloves can be hired on the spot.
• Children can take swimming lessons in summer at Trestel, near the water-sports centre; contact details are on the council's leisure page.

With children

Besides the gentle slope, the beach has play equipment, and Brittany Tourism also mentions a self-service box of beach toys, with the invitation to "help yourself, share, enjoy!". Do put the buckets and spades back before you leave.

With a dog

The council says animals are banned from the Trestel and Royau beaches in summer, from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm, while Port-Le-Goff and the port of Le Royau, along the GR34, are open to them. In summer, an evening or very early stroll on the sand becomes a ritual; and out of season your dog can join you all day long (see our piece on Trestel out of season).

Eating, drinking, information

According to Brittany Tourism, several restaurants and, in season, beach kiosks let you eat or have a drink by the sea. To find out which are open during your stay, ask us.

Public toilets are next to the water-sports centre and the tourist information point. The latter, at the water-sports centre, opens from 15 June to 15 September: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm, Sundays and bank holidays 10 am to 12.30 pm. The rest of the year, information is available at the village library or the post office counter.

Around the beach

Trestel marsh

Close to the bay, Trestel marsh is one of the département's nature sites, explored on boardwalks. In spring you can hear reed-bed birds that are rare in the Côtes-d'Armor, such as the reed warbler and the sedge warbler; in winter it becomes a roost for reed buntings.

The coastal path

The GR34 runs along the beach. One way it leads to Port-Blanc and Plougrescant; the other to Port-Le-Goff, Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac'h. Our GR34 guide from Trestel covers the sections, and our piece on Ploumanac'h at sunset takes you all the way to the lighthouse.

The commune's other beaches

When the wind is up at Trestel, the commune has other beaches: the Plage aux Choux, the Plage du Royau and the Plage de Poulpry, a mix of sand and shingle, sheltered from the wind by the rocks. The drying harbours of Port-Le-Goff and Le Royau make lovely destinations for a stroll. Shellfish gathering at low tide is popular, but sizes, quantities and seasons for some species are regulated: check before you fill the bucket.

What goes in our beach bag

• A windproof jacket, even in July: the weather turns quickly on the coast.
• Sun cream and a hat, even under a hazy sky.
• Water shoes for the sand-and-shingle coves.
• A bag to take your rubbish home: let's keep the beach clean.
• The Trestel webcam link on your phone, to check on the bay before you set off.

Any question about the beach or your stay? Drop us a line. For days out further afield, our Pink Granite Coast page has you covered.

Frequently asked questions

Does Trestel beach have lifeguards?

The beach has a lifeguard station and Brittany Tourism lists it as supervised. Dates and hours change every summer: check with the town hall and swim in the flagged zone.

Can you swim at low tide at Trestel?

Yes. The beach shelves very gently, so you can swim and play in the water at any state of the tide.

Are dogs allowed on Trestel beach?

According to the town hall, animals are banned from the Trestel and Royau beaches in summer, from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm. Out of season, they can come with you.

Is the beach wheelchair accessible?

Yes. A Tiralo amphibious chair and a Hippocampe all-terrain chair are lent free of charge, with adapted changing rooms and showers; ask at the water-sports centre or, in season, at the tourist information point.

Can you surf at Trestel?

Yes, Trestel is a beach for surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Trestel Surf Club gives lessons and hires out kit, and the water-sports centre runs sessions all year round.

How far are your rentals from the beach?

Apartment 24 is 50 m from the beach, Les Mouettes 100 m and La P'tite Maison 1.2 km, in the village.