# Erquy > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Erquy > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Erquy.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erquy > Source revision: 1347536448 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Commune in Brittany, France Erquy Erge-ar-Mor Commune Aerial view Flag Coat of arms Location of Erquy Erquy Show map of France Erquy Show map of Brittany Coordinates: 48°37′57″N 2°27′47″W / 48.6325°N 2.463°W / 48.6325; -2.463 Country France Region Brittany Department Côtes-d'Armor Arrondissement Saint-Brieuc Canton Pléneuf-Val-André Intercommunality CA Lamballe Terre et Mer Government • Mayor (2020–2026) Henri Labbé[1] Area 1 26.46 km2 (10.22 sq mi) Population (2023)[2] 3,974 • Density 150.2/km2 (389.0/sq mi) Time zone UTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+02:00 (CEST) INSEE/Postal code 22054 /22430 Elevation 0–116 m (0–381 ft) 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. **Erquy** (French pronunciation: [\[ɛʁki\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/French); [Breton](/source/Breton_language): *Erge-ar-Mor*; [Gallo](/source/Gallo_language): *Erqi*) is a [commune](/source/Communes_of_France) in the [Côtes-d'Armor](/source/C%C3%B4tes-d'Armor) [department](/source/Departments_of_France) of [Brittany](/source/Brittany_(administrative_region)) in northwestern [France](/source/France). Erquy is located in a cove of the [Penthièvre](/source/Counts_and_dukes_of_Penthi%C3%A8vre) coast bordered by cape Erquy on one side and a volcanic rock formation called *pointe de la Heussaye* on the other. Its harbour shelters a flotilla of about 80 trawlers, earning the town a reputation as the [scallop](/source/Scallop) "capital". The shellfish are collected in the Saint-Brieuc bay. It is a popular summar destination, known for its ten fine sand beaches and pink [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) houses. Erquy claims to be the inspiration behind the village of the [Asterix](/source/Asterix) comics, which is situated in roughly the same place in ancient [Armorica](/source/Armorica) (now Brittany); this would make the villagers likely [Coriosolites](/source/Coriosolites), a tribe who lived in that area.[3] ## Population Inhabitants of Erquy are called *Réginéens* or *Erquiais* in French. ‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). › Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1968 2,998 — 1975 3,347 +1.59% 1982 3,426 +0.33% 1990 3,568 +0.51% 1999 3,760 +0.58% 2007 3,764 +0.01% 2012 3,898 +0.70% 2017 3,910 +0.06% 2023 3,974 +0.27% Source: INSEE[4] ## Geography Erquy offers a variety of natural landscapes: pink [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) cliffs and rocks, wild [heathland](/source/Heath), pinewoods, beaches, dunes and a transparent emerald sea. Some coastal paths run along the spectacular pink [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) cliffs of Cape Erquy and [Cape Fréhel](/source/Cap_Fr%C3%A9hel), close by. The heathland of Cape Erquy is listed as one of the most remarkable natural environments of the [Côtes-d'Armor](/source/C%C3%B4tes-d'Armor) department. Once used as farmland, it is now a nature reserve. It shelters a wide variety of species of [heather](/source/Calluna) and [gorse](/source/Ulex) creating a colourful landscape changing with the seasons. Erquy's ten beaches come in all shapes and sizes: from the small coves bordered by [heathland](/source/Heath) north of the cape to the large expanses of Caroual and Saint-Pabu. During the summer season, the population is multiplied by seven and can go as high as 30 000 inhabitants. In just a few years, Erquy has become the most active town of the [Penthièvre](/source/Counts_and_dukes_of_Penthi%C3%A8vre) coast economically, commercially, culturally as well as in sports. ## History Erquy and its neighbouring hamlets are rich in heritage with chapels, mansions, lighthouses, a [dolmen](/source/Dolmen) and a castle. Besides being a harbour, Erquy used to shelter an active pink [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) quarry and the small pink Tu-Es-Roc village is a testimony of that activity. Nowadays, a trail with interpretative panels allows visitors to explore the former quarry whose pits have become ponds: *Les Lacs Bleus*. The jewel of its rich past is the *Château de Bienassis*, a pink [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) castle. **Other interesting pieces of heritage in Erquy include:** - The guardhouse at Trois Pierres which was built in 1744 as part of a vast defensive system instigated by [Louis XV](/source/Louis_XV) who formed coast guard companies and stationed batteries and guardhouses along the whole Breton coast. - A cannonball oven which was completed in 1794. The cannonballs were heated until they were red-hot so they could set enemy ships on fire. - The Saint-Michel Chapel: this picturesque chapel is located on a tiny island, [Îlot Saint-Michel](/source/%C3%8Elot_Saint-Michel), linked to the coast by a natural pebble causeway covered by the sea at high tide. - The Caroual viaduct: built by Harel de la Noë, it enabled the first trains to run from the towns of [Côtes-d'Armor](/source/C%C3%B4tes-d'Armor) to Erquy from 1922 onwards. **The fishing harbour:** Erquy became an important fishing port following the discovery of [clam](/source/Clam) banks in the early 1950s and of [scallop](/source/Scallop) banks in 1962. Since then, it has been rated one of the important scallop ports in Europe. ## Cultural significance Erquy and two other harbours, [Saint-Quay-Portrieux](/source/Saint-Quay-Portrieux) and Loguivy-de-la-Mer/[Paimpol](/source/Paimpol), organise every year and in turn a [scallop](/source/Scallop) festival : *La Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques*. ## See also - [Communes of the Côtes-d'Armor department](/source/Communes_of_the_C%C3%B4tes-d'Armor_department) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Répertoire national des élus: les maires"](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503) (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Populations de référence 2023"](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-22054) (in French). National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 18 December 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Erquy: a day in the real-life Gaulish village of Astérix"](https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20200816-erquy-a-day-in-the-real-life-gaulish-village-of-asterix-comic-brittany-goscinny-uderzo-erquy-myth). *[Radio France Internationale](/source/Radio_France_Internationale)*. [Agence France-Presse](/source/Agence_France-Presse). 16 August 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-pophist_4-0)** [Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-22054#tableau-POPREF_G1), INSEE ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Erquy](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Erquy). - [Official website](https://www.ville-erquy.com) (in French) - [Erquy Tourist Office](https://www.capderquy-valandre.com/erquy/) - [Base Mérimée](/source/Base_M%C3%A9rim%C3%A9e): [Search for heritage in the commune](https://pop.culture.gouv.fr/recherche-avancee), Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) v t e Communes of the Côtes-d'Armor department Allineuc Andel Aucaleuc Beaussais-sur-Mer Bégard Belle-Isle-en-Terre Berhet Binic-Étables-sur-Mer Bobital Le Bodéo Bon Repos sur Blavet Boqueho La Bouillie Bourbriac Bourseul Bréhand Brélidy Bringolo Broons Brusvily Bulat-Pestivien Calanhel Callac Calorguen Camlez Canihuel Caouënnec-Lanvézéac Carnoët Caulnes Caurel Cavan Les Champs-Géraux La Chapelle-Blanche La Chapelle-Neuve Châtelaudren-Plouagat La Chèze Coadout Coatascorn Coatréven Coëtmieux Cohiniac Corlay Corseul Créhen Dinansubpr Duault Éréac Erquy Évran Le Faouët Le Fœil Fréhel Gausson Glomel Gomené Gommenec'h Gouarec Goudelin Grâces Grâce-Uzel Guenroc Guerlédan Guingampsubpr Guitté Gurunhuel La Harmoye Le Haut-Corlay Hémonstoir Hénanbihen Hénansal Hénon Hillion Le Hinglé Île-de-Bréhat Illifaut Jugon-les-Lacs Kerbors Kerfot Kergrist-Moëlou Kerien Kermaria-Sulard Kermoroc'h Kerpert Lamballe-Armor Lancieux Landebaëron Landébia La Landec Landéhen Lanfains Langoat Langrolay-sur-Rance Languédias Languenan Langueux Lanleff Lanloup Lanmérin Lanmodez Lannebert Lannionsubpr Lanrelas Lanrivain Lanrodec Lantic Lanvallay Lanvellec Lanvollon Laurenan Lescouët-Gouarec Le Leslay Lézardrieux Locarn Loc-Envel Loguivy-Plougras Lohuec Loscouët-sur-Meu Louannec Louargat Loudéac Maël-Carhaix Maël-Pestivien Magoar La Malhoure Mantallot Matignon La Méaugon Mégrit Mellionnec Le Mené Merdrignac Mérillac Merléac Le Merzer Minihy-Tréguier Moncontour La Motte Moustéru Le Moustoir Noyal Pabu Paimpol Paule Pédernec Penguily Penvénan Perros-Guirec Peumerit-Quintin Plaine-Haute Plaintel Plancoët Pléboulle Plédéliac Plédran Pléguien Pléhédel Plélan-le-Petit Plélauff Plélo Plémet Plémy Plénée-Jugon Pléneuf-Val-André Plérin Plerneuf Plésidy Pleslin-Trigavou Plestan Plestin-les-Grèves Pleubian Pleudaniel Pleudihen-sur-Rance Pleumeur-Bodou Pleumeur-Gautier Plévenon Plévin Plœuc-l'Hermitage Ploëzal Plorec-sur-Arguenon Plouaret Plouasne Ploubazlanec Ploubezre Plouëc-du-Trieux Plouër-sur-Rance Plouézec Ploufragan Plougonver Plougras Plougrescant Plouguenast-Langast Plouguernével Plouguiel Plouha Plouisy Ploulec'h Ploumagoar Ploumilliau Plounérin Plounévez-Moëdec Plounévez-Quintin Plourac'h Plourhan Plourivo Plouvara Plouzélambre Pludual Plufur Plumaudan Plumaugat Plumieux Plurien Plusquellec Plussulien Pluzunet Pommeret Pommerit-le-Vicomte Pont-Melvez Pontrieux Pordic Prat La Prénessaye Quemper-Guézennec Quemperven Quessoy Quévert Le Quillio Quintenic Quintin Le Quiou La Roche-Jaudy Rospez Rostrenen Rouillac Ruca Runan Saint-Adrien Saint-Agathon Saint-Alban Saint-André-des-Eaux Saint-Barnabé Saint-Bihy Saint-Brandan Saint-Brieucpref Saint-Caradec Saint-Carné Saint-Carreuc Saint-Cast-le-Guildo Saint-Clet Saint-Connan Saint-Connec Saint-Denoual Saint-Donan Saint-Étienne-du-Gué-de-l'Isle Sainte-Tréphine Saint-Fiacre Saint-Gildas Saint-Gilles-les-Bois Saint-Gilles-Pligeaux Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché Saint-Glen Saint-Hélen Saint-Hervé Saint-Igeaux Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer Saint-Jean-Kerdaniel Saint-Jouan-de-l'Isle Saint-Judoce Saint-Julien Saint-Juvat Saint-Laurent Saint-Lormel Saint-Maden Saint-Martin-des-Prés Saint-Maudan Saint-Maudez Saint-Mayeux Saint-Méloir-des-Bois Saint-Michel-de-Plélan Saint-Michel-en-Grève Saint-Nicodème Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem Saint-Péver Saint-Pôtan Saint-Quay-Perros Saint-Quay-Portrieux Saint-Rieul Saint-Samson-sur-Rance Saint-Servais Saint-Thélo Saint-Trimoël Saint-Vran Senven-Léhart Sévignac Squiffiec Taden Tonquédec Tramain Trébédan Trébeurden Trébrivan Trébry Trédaniel Trédarzec Trédias Trédrez-Locquémeau Tréduder Treffrin Tréfumel Trégastel Tréglamus Trégomeur Trégonneau Trégrom Trégueux Tréguidel Tréguier Trélévern Trélivan Trémargat Trémel Tréméreuc Trémeur Tréméven Trémorel Trémuson Tréogan Tressignaux Trévé Tréveneuc Trévérec Trévou-Tréguignec Trévron Trézény Troguéry Uzel Val-d'Arguenon La Vicomté-sur-Rance Le Vieux-Bourg Le Vieux-Marché Vildé-Guingalan Yffiniac Yvias Yvignac-la-Tour pref: prefecture subpr: subprefecture Authority control databases International VIAF National United States France BnF data Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Erquy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erquy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erquy?action=history)). 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