It’s a legendary place. Nestled between Cancale and Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), the Pointe du Grouin offers a breathtaking view of the Emerald Coast. Every four years, tens of thousands of visitors flock here to enjoy the spectacle of the start of the Route du Rhum. But beyond just sailing enthusiasts, the natural site is frequented all year round by all those who want to treat themselves to a breath of Breton air. With more than 600,000 annual visitors, the Pointe du Grouin is by far the most visited site in the Ille-et-Vilaine department. A victim of its success, the wild site is currently the subject of major work, which should enable it to better protect itself from the influx of tourists. A project which is not without consequences. For two months, access to the promontory plunging into the sea will be closed to the public.
Started in 2022 by the Ille-et-Vilaine departmental council, owner of the site, the work must be completed in early 2024. Estimated at 4.5 million euros, this large-scale project includes the erasure of the path current main route, which will be replaced by a new path. This route will follow the perimeter of the semaphore to go to the very tip. Wooden terraces will even be installed along this route. These latest works will force the department to close the site from Monday November 13 to Monday January 15, 2024.
For several months, departmental council officials have already been working to revegetate the car parks, to create picnic areas but also to restore the ecological wealth of this site weakened by the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors. With the aim, also, of keeping visitors on this site a little longer. Vehicles will now have to park a little further away to allow discovery of the site on foot. During this work, hikers taking the GR34 will have to follow a diversion.