Guingamp City
Town in Brittany, France
A compact Breton town of slate roofs and market squares, Guingamp draws football supporters to En Avant's matches, and visitors to medieval timber houses, the basilica, crepe stands, and local music nights.
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62°F
Why Visit Guingamp?#
Guingamp is a compact Breton town known both for its medieval heart and its passionate local life, from the basilica and narrow streets to the fervor of En Avant de Guingamp football matches. Traditional Breton culture appears in fest-noz gatherings and crepe-and-cider cuisine at neighborhood crêperies. Visitors seeking a strong local identity rather than big-city sights will find lively festivals, accessible museums and a warm provincial atmosphere.
Best Things to Do in Guingamp#
Guingamp Bucket List#
Basilica Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours - Visit the basilica for its ornate interior and historic religious art collection.
Stade de Roudourou - Catch a match or visit Stade de Roudourou to feel local football passion.
Guingamp medieval centre - Wander Guingamp’s medieval centre, timber-framed houses, narrow lanes, with cafés and shops.
Vieilles Halles market - Browse the old market halls for Breton cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal produce.
Riverside walk on Le Gouët - Walk along the River Le Gouët for peaceful riverbanks and local birdlife.
Local cider tasting - Sample Breton cider at a family-run farm near Guingamp to learn production.
Perros-Guirec and Pink Granite Coast - Explore Perros-Guirec’s pink granite coast, coastal paths, and island boat trips.
Paimpol and Île de Bréhat - Visit Paimpol harbour then ferry to Île de Bréhat for car-free island charm.
Best Time to Visit Guingamp#
Guingamp is best visited in late spring and summer for mild weather, festivals and countryside walks. Winters are cool, often wet and much quieter for indoor wandering.
December - February
3°C - 9°C (37°F - 48°F)
Cold, damp winters with grey skies; great for exploring local cafes, medieval streets and the quieter Breton interior too.
March - May
6°C - 16°C (43°F - 61°F)
Mild, changeable spring - great for cycling between villages; catch outdoor crepes when the sun appears and fewer tourists, overall.
June - August
14°C - 24°C (57°F - 75°F)
Warm summers are pleasantly mild compared to south France, ideal for village festivals, markets and long evening strolls outdoors too.
Guingamp's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (961 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Guingamp#
Guingamp is easily reached by regional train (Gare de Guingamp) with regular TER connections to Brest and Rennes; buses cover the surrounding rural areas. For most visitors, trains plus local buses or a hire car are the most practical options.
Brest Bretagne (BES): Brest is the nearest major airport to Guingamp to the northwest; from Brest airport take a shuttle or taxi to Brest station then an SNCF TER to Guingamp (journey c. 1-1.5 hours total, fares typically €10-€25).
Rennes-Saint-Jacques (RNS): Rennes airport is another option, with train connections from Rennes station to Guingamp via TER Bretagne (journey around 1.5-2.5 hours, fares commonly €15-€35).
Train: Guingamp station is served by TER Bretagne and some Intercités services (connections to Brest, Rennes and seasonal long-distance services to Paris). Travel times to nearby regional centres are generally under 2 hours; regional fares typically range from €5-€30.
Bus: Regional buses (BreizhGo/local operators) cover areas not served by rail and connect smaller villages to Guingamp. Single fares for regional bus routes are normally modest (a few euros) but timetables can be infrequent outside peak times.
How to Get Around Guingamp#
Use SNCF TER/Intercités trains for regional travel to Guingamp and BreizhGo buses for places off the rail network. Within town, walking covers most needs; rent a car for rural exploration.
- TER / Intercités (SNCF) (€5-€35) - Trains to and from Guingamp are frequent enough for day trips to regional centres like Brest or Rennes. Intercités services may offer direct links to Paris during some timetables; buy tickets in advance for best fares on longer routes.
- Regional bus (BreizhGo) (€2-€12) - BreizhGo and local coach services connect Guingamp with smaller communities and are essential where there is no rail. Timetables vary by route and season so check the regional site before travel.
- Taxi (€10-€40) - Taxis are convenient for early/late arrivals or to reach rural attractions around Guingamp; fares rise for longer trips and late-night runs. Pre-booking is recommended in off-peak hours.
- Car hire (€30-€80/day) - A rental car gives full freedom to explore Côtes-d’Armor countryside and coast; roads are generally easy to drive though some minor roads are narrow. Parking in Guingamp centre is available but use marked bays.
- Cycling (€0-€15/day) - Cycling is popular in Brittany for short local trips and coastal routes; bring suitable maps or use local hire where available. Expect hilly sections inland.
- Walking - Guingamp’s town centre, castle area and historic streets are compact and best explored on foot.
Where to Stay in Guingamp#
Near Gare / Town Centre - €40-70/night
Guingamp has several budget-friendly hotels and simple guesthouses. Options are basic but practical for visiting the station and surrounding countryside.
Town Centre - €70-120/night
Mid-range hotels provide comfortable, functional rooms close to the old town and football stadium. Good for short stays or stopovers.
Outskirts / nearby resorts - €120+/night
Luxury options are scarce inside Guingamp. Travelers seeking upscale amenities should look to larger Breton towns and resorts.
Where to Eat in Guingamp#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Guingamp’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Guingamp#
Shopping in Guingamp is typical of a small Breton town: local bakeries, butchers, boutiques and a modest supermarket selection around the main streets. Weekly markets and small specialty shops offer local produce and regional goods. For a wider retail mix you’ll need to visit larger Breton towns, but Guingamp is fine for everyday shopping and regional specialties.
Nightlife in Guingamp#
Guingamp’s nightlife is low-key. Evenings usually centre on a handful of pubs, cafés and restaurants; match days for the local football club (En Avant Guingamp) bring extra pre- and post-game activity. There are no major clubs; nightlife is casual and community-focused.
