The Bay of Douarnenez and Locronan
The Bay of Douarnenez is like an inland sea between the Crozon Peninsula and Cap Sizun in Finistère, Brittany.
Discovering the Bay of Douarnenez
The bay is in without doubt one of the prettiest parts of Brittany and a holiday destination with something for everyone, so come with family, friends, children even very young ones.
According to legend, the Bay of Douarnenez was formed when a tidal wave engulfed the city of Ys and takes its name from Douarnenez, a town with three harbours, which was a major sardine port in the past and whose colourful fishermen’s cottages now house cafés and restaurants.
Of the 3 harbours, Tréboul opposite Douarnenez is a small seaside resort with its Sables Blancs beach, marina and water sports centre. Rosmeur is still a working fishing harbour. And Port Rhu is home to the Port Musée, a maritime museum started in the 1970s by an association to restore old vessels and which became a municipal museum in the 1990s. About twenty boats and nautical objects are on view. Workshops for all the family are held in summer to learn about nautical knots and seamanship and the job of shipwright. There are also treasure hunts for young children.
What to see and do around Douarnenez?
In Douarnenez don’t miss the promenade Les Plomarc’h with its educational farm for young children or a guided tour of IIe Tristan, an island which can be reached on foot at low tide and has botanical gardens, orchards, fortifications and a beautiful house. You can of course go to one of the many beaches such as Plage des Dames, Plage du Ris, Plage des Sables Blancs and the most unspoilt, Plage St Jean.
There are several more seaside resorts and lovely beaches to the north of Douarnenez towards the Crozon Peninsula. The best known are at Telgruc sur mer, Saint Nic, Plomodiern and Saint Anne la Palud. And going westwards from Douarnenez to the Pointe du Raz there are splendid panoramic views, headlands and coves to admire from coastal footpaths. As well as the Pointe du Raz, headlands such as the Pointe du Van, Pointe du Millier and Pointe de la Jument and many others should not be missed.
Before leaving Douarnenez, after maybe spending some time at the Thalassotherapy Centre, don’t forget to try some Kouign Amann (meaning cake/bread and butter) which is said to have been invented in Douarnenez. I advise you not to suggest that this isn’t true to any locals ! You can find excellent kouign amann in bakeries in Douarnenez even if every local person will give you a different address ! Everyone has their favourite !
The character village of Locronan
There is another place nearby which also makes excellent Kouign Amann and which exports the famous pastry around the world. This is Locronan, a village10km from Douarnenez and an ‘absolute must’ to visit.
Locronan is a character village, and also a star of the cinema as many films have been made there (Tess, Un long dimanche de fiançailles, Chouans, etc.). Locronan has been a listed historic monument since 1924, and is one of the most prestigious places in Brittany due to the quality of its architecture. It is home to numerous artists, craftspeople, painters, authors, sculptors and film makers. Locronan is also classed as one of the Loveliest Villages in France. Visit the church of Saint-Ronan with its magnificent pulpit dating from 1707 which recounts the legend of Saint Ronan, walk around the Grand-Place main square with its 17th and 18th century houses and carry on down Rue Moal to the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Bonne-Nouvelle and Saint-Eutrope fountain.
« My favourite thing about Locronan is the Christmas market and illuminations every December which transform the village into a fairy wonderland. A magical moment - I wish it could last forever ! »
The Bay of Douarnenez is easy to get to by road via RN12 (exit Quimper, Douarnenez), by train (TGV to Quimper) and by air (Quimper Pluguffan Airport) regular flights from Paris.
We look forward to welcoming you to the land of the Penn Sardin !
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