Beaches Islands & other attractions
Beaches
Our central location in the Cotes D'Armor means that you are easily able to reach many fabulous coastal beaches on the north and south coastlines. For the more adventurous, slightly further afield, there are beautiful beaches on the west coast too. Brittany's beaches are unspoilt, clean and rarely crowded. Here too you will find great places for water sport, walking and cycling.
Situated on the south coast of Brittany Concarneau has numerous beautiful sandy beaches and is a popular resort. The Sables Blancs beach is the main one, this is where you will find beautiful houses dating back to the Belle Epoque showing that Concarneau has long been a seaside destination. The Cornwall Beach and the Belle Etoile beach are also very popular but you might want to try the Kernous beach, it is more difficult to access and is therefore a little more preserved and the cove is one of the most beautiful in Finistere.
Other popular southern beaches include Carnac, Crozon, Port Louis, St Pierre - Quiberon, La Trinite-Sur-Mer, Douarnenex and Larmor Plage. For lovers of the unspoilt coastal nature reserves and sand dunes there is the stretch from Gavres to Penthievre where you will find tranquil open spaces to enjoy and spot birds and wildlife. Click here to see the beauty of Quiberon
Brittany's northern shores have a reputation all of their own. Atlantic rollers give the Cote Savage its name and are a dream for water sport enthusiasts. The famous Pink Granite coast is stunning and Perros-Guirec is well worth a visit to enjoy the rock formations with a walk along the coastline. If you have time, why not visit the Site Naturel De Ploumanec'h to see the wonderful rock formations there, carved out by the sea and to walk along the coastal path. While in the area, Saint Effam, Tregastel and Trebeurden are also worth a visit.
Gulf de Morbihan meaning 'Little Sea' in Breton is a beautiful bay on the southern coast of Brittany. The natural harbour which stretches to Quiberon bay is sprinkled with little islands brimming with wildlife. A drive along the Quiberon Penninsula, also known as the Cote Sauvage is a must, to take in the scenery or maybe to visit the Grand-Mont Cliffs or the Rhuys Penninsula. You can take an organised boat cruise or even hire a boat for the day to explore the many islands hidden beaches, coves, cliffs and to see the wildlife. Walkers can follow the clearly marked coast path around the Gulf visiting picturesque places where there are numerous cafes and restaurants to pause for a fresh seafood lunch while taking in the views.
Islands - Southern Brittany has some stunning off shore islands.
Belle-Île catch the ferry from Quiberon to Belle Ille, the largest of the islands off Brittany and famous for its association with Dumas' 'The Three Musketeers' and 'The Man in the Iron Mask'. It's a beautiful place with truly wonderful beaches particularly Les Grand Sables, The main town and port, Le Palais, stands on the sheltered land-facing side, guarded by a mighty star-shaped fortress, while the smaller fishing village of Sauzon is a few miles west. Hire a bike (or car if you must) and you can explore the whole island in a day, from secluded sandy beaches in the north to the wild and rugged southern coastline, with its steep cliffs pounded by the ocean.
Ile de Groix, Brittany's second largest island 7km X 3km it is noted for its lovely and unusual convex beaches. It is perfect for cycling or walking. Has a market in the main village Tuesday and Saturday. Since 1982 part of the island has been marked as a nature reserve, around Point des Chats due to its geological interest, here some 60 different minerals are to be found including the rare greenish blue Glaucophane. Also around Pointe de Pen Men where colonies of marine birds live on the grass topped cliffs. Ferries run from Lorient and the trip over takes approx 45 minutes.
The Île de Bréhat is a tiny island, only three-and-a-half kilometers long off the northern coast of Brittany. Completely free of cars, this idyllic island is appreciated for its temperate climate and beautiful natural scenery, including many wildflowers and striking red granite cliffs. The main hub of activity is the village of Le Bourg, which has many cafés, restaurants, and hotels. To arrive at Bréhat island, visitors may take a ferry boat from the Pointe de l'Arcouest in Paimpol on the Pink Granite Coastline. Ferries run regularly and the journey takes only 10 minutes.
Other Attractions
The Valley of the Saints - Carnoët is a unique place the vision of one man but created by many. The site is free to enter all year round. This historic site has a feudal moat with ancient earthworks of a motte-and-bailey castle, a listed 16th century chapel, a Gaulish fountain and is home to huge sculptures of Breton Saints. Perched on a rolling hillside are at present some 50 statues each carved from Breton granite and standing three or four meters high. The sites creator Phillippe Abjean intends there to eventually be 1000 sculptures on the site each created by a different sculptor. There are trails to follow around the site with riddles, quizzes and word games or if you prefer take a guided tour and hear the legends and stories behind the statues. Take a picnic and stay all day the views are amazing!!
Carnac may look like a perfectly ordinary little Breton village, but amazingly enough archeologists consider it to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe. Head to the rolling heathlands immediately north and you'll see why: long mysterious rows of standing stones (or menhirs as the Bretons call them) erected in parallel lines long before the pyramids of Egypt. Tucked away in the woods are ancient burial mounds, pierced by eerie tunnels through which intrepid visitors can creep. And for good measure, if that doesn't appeal, Carnac also boasts magnificent beaches!
Interested in the history of the Second World War? Why not visit the submarine bases in Lorient and Brest?
Keroman Submarine base located in Lorient played a strategic role in the battle for the Atlantic during WWll. Built originally by the Germans and later used by the French Navy for its squadron of Atlantic submarines until 1997 the base is now an interactive museum and for the past 30 years has been the residence of the submarine Flore-S645. You can visit the museum and go aboard the Flore to experience the life of submariners. There is an optional audio guide. You can also visit the submarine base and block K3 this is a guided visit to the largest building built in Lorient - surface area 24,000m2 and 7 pens. There is also the opportunity to take a self guided tour with audio option around the undersea museum. Booking is recommended and combined offers are available. Click here for more details
Other Activities:
Kingoland Amusement Park at Locmine is approximately 45 minutes away. Fun and rides for all the family Open from April until the end of September.
Foret Adrenaline at Carnac is an hour and twenty minutes away. Here you will find tree top challenges, fun and adventure for all ages. Set in 5 hectares of forest with more than 250 games, 18 trails from 1 meter to 17 meters in height for either family fun or an extreme experience. Do you dare? Open from April until the beginning of November.
Go Karting at Ploemel just over an hour away. The largest outdoor track in the region (800 metres) consisting of fast curves and tight turns. For families or adults with tracks to suit from age 3 to adult. Open all year, booking is recommended.
Bretagne Karting - Ménez Frug Combrit - from 7 years to adult.