CôtesdArmor

Côtes-d'Armor is a department of the Brittany region in northwestern France. It is named after the Armorican coast and the Breton term armor meaning the sea; the Breton name is Aodoù-an-Arvor. Created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, it was originally called Côtes-du-Nord and was renamed Côtes-d'Armor in 1990. It has four arrondissements: Saint-Brieuc (the prefecture), Dinan, Guingamp, and Lannion. The department covers about 6,823 square kilometers and has a population of around 600,000 inhabitants. The prefecture is Saint-Brieuc; subprefectures are Dinan, Guingamp, and Lannion.

Geography and notable places: It lies on Brittany’s northern coast along the English Channel. The coastline includes the Pink Granite Coast (Côte de Granit Rose) near Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac’h, as well as Cap Fréhel and Fort-la-Latte. The Île de Bréhat near Paimpol is a popular island destination. Inland towns such as Dinan and Tréguier preserve medieval architecture, while Lannion is a regional center for technology and services.

Economy: Tourism forms a major part of the economy, complemented by fishing and seafood processing, agriculture (notably dairy and apples for cider), and light industry.

Culture: Breton and Gallo heritage persists alongside French; bilingual signage and cultural events reflect the region’s Breton identity. The department is known for its varied coastlines, historic towns, and maritime traditions.