Finistère

Here are Finistère’s star towns, all absolutely worth a visit:

Brest: a seaside town of real character, with its port, natural harbour and reinvented neighbourhoods… to explore on foot, by tram or even up in the air by cable car!

Quimper: a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire [Town of Art and History] with a “Little Venice” atmosphere, where creativity, age-old knowhow and modernity go hand in hand

Morlaix: viaduct, half-timbered houses, enchanting little alleyways and a reinvented former manufactory… extend your visit above the rooftops, with a breathtaking view of the port.

Concarneau: a fortified walled town, lively fishing port and ideal departure point for a getaway to the Glénan Archipelago.

Pont-Aven: huddled in the River Aven’s estuary and famous for its painters, this little town is to be enjoyed out of season when the ria is at its most peaceful.

Sainte-Marine: a little corner of paradise nestling between rocky coves and pine trees, with panoramic views of the open sea…and a gentle “dolce vita” ambience afloat in the air.

Locronan: a labelled Petite Cité de Caractère® [Small Town of Character] and one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France [Most Beautiful Villages in France], you’ll be captivated by its cobblestone alleyways and splendid granite houses.

Village of Meneham in Kerlouan: grassy dunes, delightful little beaches, rocky coasts…and a picturesque thatched-roof hamlet nestling in the midst of imposing granite boulders.

Les Abers: nicknamed the “Coast of Legends”, where the sea embraces a wild coastline under the watchful eyes of the lighthouses that stand guard over these havens of peace.

Doëlan: a little port set between valleys and orchards, brought to life by its fishing boats, stone thatched cottages, white houses built in tiers along the banks and the striped lighthouses that keep watch over the estuary.

Riec-sur-Belon: capital of the famous flat oyster, this secluded little port between the Aven and Bélon Rivers is much appreciated by gastronomes and artists alike.

Pont Croix: another Petite Cité de Caractère® imbued with medieval charm, set on the Goyen River’s ria estuary, with its granite houses built in amphitheatre style and cobbled streets brought to life by craftspeople and painters.

Daoulas: a medieval town on the water’s edge, boasting an outstanding heritage in the form of Daoulas Abbey and its listed garden… not forgetting its collective of creators active all year round!

Port-Manec’h: A little seaside resort with retro beach huts, fine sand, secluded coves and coastal paths, with its thatched cottages and stone houses as a backdrop.

Trez Hir Beach: relaxation – or would you prefer excitement? There’s something for everyone here – lazing about, water sports and shell fishing when the tide’s out.

Blancs Sablons Beach: a seemingly endless ribbon of sand where the wind sculpts waves that make it a perfect surf spot! Not forgetting the great bathing and fishing trips on offer.

Letty Beach: a wild, unspoilt haven of lush greenery and crystal-clear waters… opposite the postcard-perfect Glénan Archipelago.

Cap-Coz Beach: protected by the Pointe de Beg-Meil headland, this fine sandy beach is ideal for swimming and hunting for winkles and cockles when the tide’s out.

Amiets Beach in Cléder: immaculate sand, turquoise waters and dunes… a picture-postcard setting perfect for bathing as well as sailboarding, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Sainte-Marguerite beach in Landéda: between white sand and dunes, an ideal spot for sports, leisurely walks and discovery of the coastline’s plant life.

Roch Kroum Beach in Roscoff: diving board, showers, floating wheelchairs and paddling pool… a well-equipped family beach a stone’s throw from a choice of bars and restaurants, for an action-packed summer.

Huelgoat: a forest steeped in legends and strewn with mysterious boulders, where walkers come across the Mill of Chaos, the River of Silver, the Devil’s Cave, the Abyss and Arthur’s Camp.

The Arrée Mountains: a mountain range in the heart of Brittany, between heather and gorse moorlands, rocky ridges and wild landscapes. When you get to the top of Roc’h Ruz (its highest point at 385 metres), the view is truly breathtaking… and all around you, parish closes, chapels and sculpted altarpieces round off your getaway.

The Menez-Hom: an extension of the Black Mountains, 330 metres high and an unmatched playground for hikers and paragliding enthusiasts.

Les Roches du Diable [The Devil’s Rocks]: a forest setting strewn with boulders and crossed by a river popular with kayaking enthusiasts.

Camaret-sur-Mer: between Notre-Dame de Rocamadour Chapel and the Vauban Tower, a port overflowing with character where you’ll love strolling along the bustling quays lined with colourful houses.

Bénodet: beaches, crystal-clear waters, lighthouses, dunes… Whether you opt for a boat trip, a wellness break or a stroll along the seafront, it’s one of South Finistère’s real gems.

Le Conquet: a Petite Cité de Caractère® set between land and sea. You’ll be captivated by its maritime heritage, houses steeped in history and the continuous ballet performed by its fishing boats.

Douarnenez: a resolutely maritime town, with its four ports, bustling quays, fishermen’s houses and fine beaches.

Plouescat: a seaside resort where you wander from port to beach and from dunes to giant boulders, always with the ocean in your line of fire.

Carantec: a peaceful peninsula lined with beaches and little coves, with the Château du Taureau fortress as a backdrop.

Roscoff: a Petite Cité de Caractère® facing the sea, with its port, fine shipowners’ houses, gothic church and, of course, its delicious Roscoff onions.

These Finisterian wonders can be visited all year round… but just between us, we prefer spring! Soft light, peaceful trails, cliffs that have come back to colourful life and excellent conditions for hiking or trying your hand at boardsports.

Here are a couple of Finistère’s not-to-be-missed hiking itineraries:

• Set off from Brest to the Crozon peninsula via Ouessant: Cliffs and ocean as far as the eye can see, with an edge-of-the-world feel about it all…
• Explore the trail from Audierne to Bénodet and admire beaches, coves and fishing ports along the way…

Finistère is a real playground for boardsports enthusiasts! Here are a few spots on no account to be missed out on:

La Torche: a legendary Breton surf spot, the scene of major competitions (Cup and Championships of France), where powerful waves keep rolling all year long …

Blancs Sablons Beach: a stone’s throw from Le Conquet, this long ribbon of white sand is one of the surfing community’s favourite playgrounds, providing top-quality waves on an XXL beach.

Le Minou: a delightful wild cove very popular with surfers, with top-quality waves guaranteed – just like its neighbour Pors Milin, which is also much appreciated.

Need to plot your next getaway and identify the spots not to be missed out on? You’ll find downloadable tourist maps and guides on Finistère’s official website.