The name Binic has its origins in the celtic prefix Pen, meaning 'head', to which is added the name of the river Ic, which flows into the sea here. 'Ic' is itself the celtic generic term for 'water'. Binic, once called Benic, then best translates as 'mouth of the Ic'.

The lower stretch of the Ic valley has been continuously occupied since the neolithic era (5500 - 3800 years ago). Traces of the early inhabitants are seen with the great stones such as the Chaise de Saint-Gilles menhir just outside Binic, and the table de Margot dolmen on the cliff which was parlty broken up in 1816 to furnish stone for the port.

This dolmen once stood at the centre of the Camp des Bernains, which seems to be a celtic iron age hill fort from recent discoveries. The triangular camp occupies a strategic position 80 metres up at the top of the cliffs. The ruins are composed of around 600 metres of dry stone walls with the flattened remains of seven turrets, one of which, the Tour de César, may have served as a rudimentary lighthouse for the port of Binic in ancient times.  The celtic camp was occupied by the romans, giving it its alternative name of Camp romain or Camp de César. In the last century many roman coins and medallions were discovered here. Other similar camps are to be found nearby at Rocher-Collet, at Lantic, and at Ville-Oria in Trégomeur.

On the plage de la Banche, beneath the camp des Bernains other discoveries were made, notably at the beginning of the 19th century. It appears that a stone construction here may have been a roman bathhouse complete with hypocaust heating and plumbing. More than 200 bronze pieces and busts of 3rd century roman emperors were found.

At the end of the middle ages, Benic was still just a tiny fishing village with no more than 20 houses under the protection of the chapelle de M.Saint-Julien and dependant on the parish of Etables. Growth in the port and commercial activity of the town began at the end of the 16th century with the construction of many more fishing boats. By the end of the 17th century two annual fairs (one of which, the famous foire des matelots on the third monday of April) and a weekly market helped to furnish supplies and men for the great fishing expeditions to Newfoundland. These events funneled all the produce of the area into Binic, and we can easily imagine the bustle around the new halls built along the quays to accomodate the commerce. A bridge across the port is referenced as eary as 1419.

Shipyards, forges, carpenters shops and bitumen boilers sheltered under the cliff where the Quai Jean Bart is now. On the marshy ground light embarcations were sailed in the muddy canals called souilles. In the middle of the 16th century at least five ships sailed regularly between Binic and England, Zealand (The Netherlands) and Spain. At this time, and already since long before, a fish drying house was to be found on the pointe de Rognouse.

Very old buildings are a rarity in Binic - the inhabitants seem always to have been animated by modern ideas. However the manoir de la Tourelle, dates from the 16th century and was built on the site where the famous general Du Guesclin stayed during one of his many battles against the English. In rue Wilson you will find the auberge du Cheval Blanc, a 17th century building and two 18th century houses where a plaque comemorates the visit of the Duke of Penthièvre, grand admiral of France, in September 1747. On the quay Jean Bart some beautiful 19th century houses are to be seen.

In the 15th century and maybe earlier, the Saint-Julien chapel in Binic was the site of judicial activity with the audiences of the jurisdiction of Kerjolly, following a middle age custom. Between 1632 and the french revolution Binic was also the seat of the important jurisdiction of Roche-Suhart. Cases were heard in a hall connected directly to the prison.

During the french revolution, Binic counted among the best places for priests rebelling against civilisation of the clergy to emigrate to Jersey or to England. A merchant of the town would even provide boats and food. Several Binic boat builders became naval mercenaries for a time in battles with English ships.

Even before the revolution the inhabitants of Binic expressed a lively desire to be independent of the mother parish of Etables. They had nevertheless to wait to get their wish. It was by imperial command on 22 August 1822, thirty years after the revolution that Binic became a a town in its own right with François Le Saulnier de Saint-Jouan, a local shipowner, as first mayor. A period of argument and negotiation followed with the neighbouring communites of Pordic and Etables and in 1840 the town's current boundaries were established with a population of 1611 souls. Between 1821 and 2006 there have been 30 mayors.

Having been one of the first ports exploiting the Newfoundland fishing grounds, Binic continued this activity until around 1920. The zenith was reached in the 19th century when in 1845 Binic became the foremost fishing port in France with 37 ships. Between five and six hundred men worked on building and fitting the Newfoundland boats on which sailed up to 1800 men each year for six month fishing expeditions. No wonder that in 1850 Binic had no fewer than 37 pubs!

Recruitment for the Newfoundland expeditions commenced in November. After a blessing on the ships and a final inspection of equipment in February crews of 25 to 75 men would take on the month-long crossing. Fishing was by seiner net, pulled around the banks of fish by men rowing dinghys. Sailors were often no more than boys. The youngest, maybe 12 years old undertook the task of drying the cod on board.

In the second half of the 19th century, Binic sent many fleets to Iceland. The boats - the goélettes - were elegant and fast, measured 30 to 35 metres in length and were crewed by up to 25 men. Many were built in Binic itself.  The products of the Newfoundland and Iceland expeditions would be sold in the larger ports of Bordeaux, Marseille, La Rochelle and Nantes although towards the end of the 19th century more and more shipowners in Binic were choosing to commercialise their own fish in the town.

With the outbreak of World War I cod fishing went into decline for several reasons: steamboats, rising costs of boat fitting and new rules - not to mention the sinister dangers of war at sea. It wasn't until the 60s that Binic's activity was revitalised, first by scallop fishing in coastal waters, and later with the development of tourisme and the pleasure port. Now thanks to its picturesque ambience and welcoming people it is now a seaside resort of national reknown, and justifiably calls itself the "Beauty Spot of the Cotes d'Armor".

Christian Querré © 2006 english version adapted 2006 Raccourci

- "Binic, port du Goëlo" Published by du Dahin, Binic, 1987.
- "La grande aventure des terre-neuvas de la baie de Saint-Brieuc" Published by du Dahin, 1998.
- "Souvenirs de Binic, 1900 – 1960" (includes 500 postcards and diverse documents) in collaboration with Philippe LERIBAUX. Published by du Dahin, 2004.