The Pointe du Raz - The Bay of Audierne
In Brittany, discover a unique universe between moor and ocean: the Pointe du Raz. Here, at the end of South Finistère, you will be captivated by the grandeur of the panorama of Raz de Sein, with its lighthouses La Vieille, Tévennec and the fascinating Ile de Sein.
The Pointe du Raz, a masterpiece of nature, facing the tumultuous Raz de Sein.
Walk along the coastal path between heathland and the sea to find yourself facing the immense panorama of the notorious Raz de Sein, well-known to sailors, with its two lighthouses, La Vieille and Tévennec, and the fascinating Ile de Sein. Its maritime landscape exposed to the sea and the wind and coastal walks long high heather-clad cliff tops make it an ideal place for a holiday in fresh sea air. Covering more than 2 000 hectares, the Pointe du Raz is the best-known natural attraction in Finistère and is classed as a Grand Site de France.
Breathtaking scenery !
The headland and its rugged cliffs demonstrate the mighty force of the elements. Opposite the Raz de Sein, far away in the distance stands the famous Ar Men lighthouse, the best-known and furthest away from the French coast, which took 34 years to build.
The Bay of Trépassés
From the headland the statue of Our Lady of Shipwrecks and signal station look out over the Bay of Audierne, Bay of Trépassés, Pointe du Van, Bay of Douarnenez and Cap de la Chèvre.
The northern coastline has many scenic walks along the series of rocky promontories between the Pointe du Van and the Pointe du Millier. The area attracts many seabirds and the Bird Réserve du Cap Sizun is a great place for a discovery walk. Feast your eyes on the wild, unspoilt landscape and its incredibly rich, diverse flora and fauna.
But the coastline is more than just rocky promontories ! There are sandy beaches as well as the Bay of Trépassés, a popular place for surfing and other board sports.
Cap Sizun is also the favoured habitat of many birds including the well-known black-headed gull. Don’t miss the Réserve Ornithologique du Cap Sizun (bird reserve) where the visitor’s path allows you to discover kittiwakes, guillemots and fulmars with the help of telescopes sited along the way or binoculars borrowed at the entrance to the Reserve.
The Bay of Audierne, 100% nature
The Bay of Audierne is a magnificent 100% natural space stretching from the Pointe du Raz to the Pointe de Penmarc’h, including 10km of sand dunes. The wildlife is exceptionally rich and the landscape very varied : pebble ridges, fine sandy beaches bordered by dunes, marshland, coastal ponds, cliffs which gain in height on nearing the Pointe du Raz, and the Goyen river whose contours change with the rhythm of the tide.
Places to visit include the Maison de la Baie d’Audierne at Tréguénnec, Saint-Vio and its adorable chapel (the smallest in Pays Bigouden), the lakeside bird observatory (97 species to discover). Don’t forget your binoculars !
Nearby is the Pointe de la Torche, a hot spot for surfing and majestic waves. Here the force of the elements is at its most powerful and the winter storms along the Bigouden coast continue to reshape the landscape over time.
Meanwhile in the countryside…
The countryside is dotted with hamlets of old houses clustered around manor houses or mills, at crossroads of rural lanes. The character village of Pont-Croix on the banks of the Goyen is well worth visiting with its well-preserved medieval centre, perpetuated by popular fairs.
Head south to Pays Bigouden to visit the well-known fishing port of Guilvinec with its daily landings of langoustines and fish, or the splendid Eckmuhl lighthouse at Penmarc’h with its amazing interior.
« The Pointe du Raz is our ‘end of the world’, facing the sea and the Ile de Sein, it’s a place to meditate, to show the children, to meet the person you love.»
Easily accessible by car or Penn ar Bed public transport network from Quimper to the Pointe du Raz. Just keep heading westwards - you can’t miss it !. "
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