Best beaches in Finistere, Brittany

Brittany has some of the best beaches in France. The coastline of Finistere has probably the longest stretch of preserved and unspoilt coastline.  Here you will find an unrivaled selection of beaches where even in the height of summer you can find your own spot of tranquil paradise. We have picked out for you our selection of the very best of beaches in Finistere Brittany. Please click on our interactive map for descriptions and to get directions.

 

Click on this link to have a look at a larger google map of our favourite beaches in Finistere.

Cap Sizun – Handy for Ty Traez and Ty Bili

St Tugen

This beach is a firm favourite amongst our guests to Ty Traez and Ty Bili. Golden sand and turquoise sea. The beach often has very good surf, but it can have strong currents so bathe with caution, and it is always wise to not go our of your depth. There are life guards in summer.

Baie de Trepasses

The beach at the end of the world. Awe inspiring and surrounded on each side by the stunning coastal scenery of the Pointe du Raz and Pointe du Van, this beach is a favourite with surfers, but also great for families and body boarders. Frequently listed in the newspapers as one of the world’s best beaches, the Baie de Trepasses is 8km from Ty Traez and Ty Bili. Parking is free, and there is a restaurant behind.

Plage de Theolen

This little bay is picture postcard perfect. Often sheltered from the waves, there is sand, rockpools, interesting rocky outcrops, and a small buvette for drinks that has changed little from the early 1900s. It is a great place to take little ones whatever the weather. Or a nice place to stop for refreshments after the walk from the Pointe de Brezellec.

Pors Peron

A beautiful Sandy Cove that looks out over the bay of Douarnenez. Totally unspoilt and surrounded by cliffs, this is one of those perfect little beaches, off the beaten track.

St Evette

If a very sheltered and gently sloping sandy beach, with snack bars behind is what you need for the smaller ones in the family. St Evette has it all. There are watersport facilities here for sailing, windusrfing and kayaking and it is the departure point for the Ile de Sein.

Anse du Loch

This beach is the closest sandy beach to Ty Traez and Ty Bili. Protected by a sea wall it is sheltered and gently sloping, there is always something to watch as the small boats in the harbour go in and out in search of the daily catch, and there is a good bar creperie behind. As it is close the road we favour the small creeks either side which are often empty even in the height of summer, and are great for rockpooling and climbing over the rocks.

Plage de Mesperleuc

This is a long sandy beach that is great for families.

Plage de Gwendrez

A beautiful unspoilt beach with golden sand and turquoise blue sea. Also nice strong surfing waves.

Presqu’ile de Crozon – Handy for our house at Lostmarc’h

Lostmarc’h

Lostmarc’h is one of our favourite beaches in the whole world. Set in stunning coastal scenery it is beautiful, sandy, totally unspoilt and great surf. Limited parking means it never gets crowded, popular with surfers, the odd naturist, and families, it is one of those beaches where you truly feel like you have escaped. The currents here however can be dangerous, so swim with caution and stay within your depth.

La palue

A well known surf spot and another beautiful bay that rivals Lostmarc’h next door

Plage de L’ile Vierge

You won’t believe you are in Brittany when you arrive at this beach with its high white cliffs and pristine turquoise and glimmering waters. The steep climb down is rewarded by a sublime mediterranean experience without all the crowds. A few minutes drive or a 10 minute cycle from our house in Lostmarc’h and you will feel like you have changed countries.

Beaches in the South West of  Finistere 

Pors Carn

Pors Carn, to the left of Pointe de la Torche, is one of the favoured local surfing spots. Also popular with Kite surfers.

La Torche

La Torche is the most well known surfing spots in Brittany. Waves here are the most consistent in the area, and the rip current to the left of the beach makes it easy to get out to the back. Windsurfing, and surfing competitions are often held here and it is also easy to book surf lessons. It is also one of the best places to come in mid winter to watch the sea at it’s most wild and stormy. In late March and early April the fields behind are ablaze with the colour of tulips and hyacinths.

 Plage de Troneon

Part of the baie de Audierne, this long sandy beach stretches for almost 30km. Backed by dunes and down the road from the intricate chapel of Tronoen, this part of the beach is one of the most beautiful sections of the bay, and never feels too crowded. If you come in the early morning, one of the nicest things to do is to run, cycle or horse ride for miles and miles, broken by the occasional swim. The evening you can watch the sun go down over the sea and surf, in this favoured local spot.

Plage de Treguennec

This is one of our favourite places to come as the access is easy from Quimper. If you want to do some body boarding but you are not super confident in the water, or you have small children who want to try out the waves, there is a life guard in summer, the sea is gently sloping, and there is enough room for everyone to run around until their heart is content!

Benodet

Benodet  is a firm family favourite. Almost a perfect crescent of golden sand, backed by a wooden boardwalk with ice cream shops and restaurants. Even though Benodet is probably the busiest beach on this stretch of coastline, it remains a small and charming tourist centre and we are sure the sun shines here all year round! A must are the ice creams from the Casino. A cocktail from the bar of the Alhambra, and if you can fit it in it is the start point for boat trips up the River Odet, or out to the Glenan Islands and yet more splendid beaches.

Plage de Kermoor – Sainte Marine

This is a long white sandy beach, that is gently sloping and has white sand, calm waters and a nice friendly family atmosphere, this is one of the easiest beaches to get to from Quimper. The village of Sainte Marine has a number of very nice bars, creperies and restaurants. Parking is plentiful, free and easy.

Ile Tudy

This sheltered beach is reported to have the warmest waters of the area. Calm, gently shelving, and south facing it is ideal for those first forays into the sea for those not accustomed to the cooler waters of the Breton coastline. The village of Ile Tudy has a host of bars and cafes for refreshments. A footpath behind the beach stretches all the way to Sainte Marine, and is fairly pushchair (big wheel variety) and cycle friendly.

Bot Conan and La Roche Percee

Two idyllic little coves looking out over the bay towards Concarneau. Small and intimate there are rocks for climbing, rockpools, white sand, and calm and gently sloping waters. The footpath between Cap Coz and Beg Meil is a lovely walk.