Trieux River Cruise

A scenic boat trip down a wooded tidal river from Pontrieux to the coast at Lézardrieux

The Trieux river cruise runs from Pontrieux downstream through one of the most beautiful stretches of river in Brittany, following the tidal Trieux through wooded valleys towards the coast at Lézardrieux and Paimpol. The journey takes about 2 hours one way; return boats allow a full day trip.

The river below Pontrieux is largely uninhabited — steep wooded banks on both sides, occasional glimpses of châteaux through the trees, and a changing landscape of water and mud depending on the tide. Grey herons, cormorants, and kingfishers are regular sights. The boat passes under the suspension bridge at Lézardrieux, one of the distinctive landmarks of the Côtes-d'Armor coast.

Cruises run from April or May through September; the exact schedule depends on tides. Book ahead in peak summer. Departure point is from the quay in central Pontrieux.

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The Trieux is tidal all the way up to Pontrieux, which sits some 15 km inland. At high water the river becomes a navigable estuary threading through steep wooded banks; at low water the mudflats are exposed and herons stalk the shallows. The boat trip times departures around the tides, making the exact schedule change daily — part of the pleasure of living by tidal time.