Where can you find the most beautiful beaches in Brittany? Where is the sand the finest and the water the bluest? These are the questions La Bretonelle asked relatives and friends from Brittany. A difficult task, because in North Finistère alone, there are between 500 and 1,000 beaches! So this selection is somewhat subjective, but it can certainly help you a little in your holiday planning.
Ile de Groix: La Plage des Grands Sables
The Plage des Grands Sables on the Ile de Groix is unique in Europe because of its convex shape. The beach stretches over 500m. Two different sea currents are responsible for this unusual shape. In addition, the beach consists of sand of two different colours. Due to the wind and the currents, the beach moves 10 metres northwards every year. The Ile de Groix is wonderful for a day trip. On the island, you can rent bicycles and explore the island that way. Boats leave for Groix from Lorient throughout the day in the summer season.
Carantec: La Grève Blanche, A Beach For The Whole Family!
The sand of La Grève Blanche (literally: the white beach) in Carantec really does feel as soft as cream. It can be easily reached on foot or by car via the “Port de Carantec”. On weekends in July or August, it can get quite crowded in the afternoon, so it is advisable to get there before 14:00 to choose a nice spot. For swimming, the beach is ideal for the whole family. There can be cold and warm currents from time to time, which are very beneficial for blood circulation. From there, you can even reach “Ile Callot” at low tide and make a little trip there – but be careful, you have to be back 2 hours before high tide, otherwise you will be “locked up” on the island for 6 more hours! But if you know about the tides beforehand, it’s no problem.
Belle-Ile en mer: Plage du Donnant
If you want to be a bit more sporty: La Plage du Donnant is ideal for surfing activities! The sea is rarely calm there and the currents are strong. The beach is therefore constantly monitored by lifeguards. So if you like playing with the waves, this is the place for you! La Plage du Donnant is located on Belle-Ile en Mer, the largest Breton island, and is easily accessible from Quiberon (45 min by boat). It is a versatile island where you can go hiking, sailing, golfing, horse riding and of course enjoy excellent seafood.
Les plages de l’Ile de Batz: The Exotic Island In North Finistère!
L’Ile de Batz is a small island in North Finistère. You will find several beaches there that are very tempting. The water is blue-turquoise and incredibly transparent and the sand is even finer than you can imagine.
The only small disadvantage is that the water there is very cold. It’s very easy to get to the Ile de Batz from Roscoff; in July and August, boats leave every 15 minutes. The Île de Batz is ideal for a day trip with a picnic basket or for a few days with family and friends. It is not uncommon for it to rain on the mainland and for the sun to shine on Île de Batz. That’s why even palm trees grow here and you can visit the “Jardin exotique” after a nice time on the beach.
Saint-Malo, Plage du Sillon
This beach is the longest beach in Saint-Malo and stretches over 3km. If you want to swim, beach sail or fly kites, this is the place for you. From the Plage du Sillon, you have an excellent view of the town of Saint-Malo. At high tide, the beach is completely covered by the sea and you just have to wait a few hours until low tide and have a leisurely meal of seafood or fish at the “Brasserie du Sillon”.
Fancy more beautiful beaches in Brittany? La Bretonelle presents 5 more dream beaches here! France also offers beautiful coastlines beyond the borders of Brittany. The article “Most beautiful beaches in France” takes us clockwise along the entire coast, while in “Most beautiful beaches on the French Atlantic coast” we pick out the highlights south of Brittany.
Comité Régional du Tourisme de Bretagne | © Yanick Le Gal, © Emmanuel Berthier, © Donatienne Guillaudeau, © Yannick Derennes, © Ronan Gladu, © Jacqueline Piriou, © Simon Bourcier, © Pierre Torset, © Alexandre Lamoureux, © Nicolas Job, © Xavier Dubois