Beaches

Beach action

In the south of this area there stretches some 5 miles of sandy beaches from the mouth of the river towards Quiberon. In the far west, Kerminihy beach tolerates nude sunbathing while Kerhillio is a magnet for families thanks to its safe bathing and summer lifeguards; no problem with parking here. The beaches are backed by 700 acres of protected dunes.

Quiberon’s beaches have something to interest all tastes. The windy, sandy expanses west of Penthièvre in the north are popular with horse-riders, sand-yachters and surfers whereas families favour the sheltered beaches around St-Pierre-Quiberon in the south with plenty of beach activities to keep the kids amused to their hearts content.

 

 Text courtesy of the owner of Renard, Erdeven:-

Erdeven Sands – Kerhilio

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What we found - Patrolled in summer months. Waves - great for young children, very safe, no rocks in sea, no undercurrent. No sudden drop of sand levels making this ideal for blow-up boats and “early” swimmers. Kite flying and sand/sailing is popular here also. BBQ on sands till midnight was one of our treasured moments . . .

Erdeven - Sainte Barbe  towards Plouharnel. Look out for a turning left by a little shrine on the corner. DON’T turn left – you need to turn RIGHT, it is easy to miss, we didn’t find it for about 3 years!! Follow the road to Ste Barbe. VERY busy at weekends.

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What we found – Many surfers, body-boarders, depending on conditions, really good Atlantic rollers/waves but very safe as no undercurrents or sudden drop of sand level.

Quiberonalso Port Barra –  go towards Plouharnel. Over another roundabout and over the TRAIN CROSSING. Keep going but take turning to the right – not the Carnac one!!

About half-way down to Quiberon – look for the sign-post to Portivy. There is a green filter, take this and then over the railway line and follow the signs to Portivy. You can park here and take the coastal Cote Sauvage path – about 1/half hours walk there and back. This is our very favourite walk over the rocks and along the cliff path. Wonderful views all round. Not bathing sands for us as rocky with sea-weed and many pebbles!! TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!

What we found - Port Barra – Don’t go into Portivy  The journey will be well worth it if you like (depending on conditions) big waves and snorkelling. Wet-suit friends always head for here. Shingle with undercurrents so we would NOT advise for young children.

Quiberon CENTRE   Take the single-track train if you are going to all the way to Quiberon as the traffic in high summer can lead to a slow journey back.

What we found - Quiberon itself is a lively seaside town where you can catch a ferry to one of the offshore islands. We did this a few years ago now on the train just to break up the holiday . . .

CARNAC Plage  There is a great thaliscopy/pampering place in the hotel!!

What we found - not for us but many thousands of holidaymakers swear that this is THE place to be and be seen!!

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2604-Carnac-plage-LegeneseCARNAC Men-Du - Men-Du sands are on the right on the La Trinite road.

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What we found - good for a walk at low tide as you can reach a small heath, we walk here in the evenings for a change. Good cafe for egg and chips, ham salad etc. opposite the sands – wasn’t too expensive so ideal for a treat!!

La TRINITE SUR MER – Peninsula Coastal Walk/Sands 

What we found - there is a very good market here and many cafes and a really good photograph/picture shop. Walk along the seafront past the Mairie to take the footpath which wanders along the coastal path. We normally buy a huge baguette stuffed with ham, egg, cheese etc. (and a sticky bun) and enjoy a picnic in the sheltered sands at the mouth of the Riviera Crach (which goes to Auray). Many famous yachtsmen/women leave from here on round-the-world races. TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!

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La TRINITE – Saint Philibert. Directions, drive to Carnac, then either the D781 from Carnac or the coastal road D186 from Men Du.

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What we found – Just an ideal place for a quiet picnic, for Crabbing and Oyster finding, dog walking, for kids of all ages just mucking about clambering over rocks and dodging the incoming tide!! Just enjoy the air and listening to the special sound of the sea-shore!!

Once at La Trinite, turn/bear left and go OVER the bridge that spans the River Auray, drive about 800yds and turn RIGHT at the first mini-roundabout. Take the road to Saint Philibert. You need to follow the coastal road, past pines – by a huge block of flats – until the road basically peters out.

LOCMARIQUERabout another 10 miles further on from the bridge over the River Auray.

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What we found – this little town is the ideal starting point to a boat trip around the many small islands that make up the Gulf du Morbihan. Buying your tickets in the town centre which overlooks the small harbour, walk along the winding path for about 15 minutes. Here you can join the boat(s) which take you on your way. Our family really enjoyed this trip as we packed up a special picnic to eat on the shoreline and the boat trip was just far enough for all our ages. TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!

CRACH - Once at La Trinite, turn/bear left and go OVER the bridge that spans the River Auray, drive about 800yds – straight over the mini-roundabout for about 10 mins. Look out for the roundabout – right for Locmariquer, LEFT towards Crach.

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What we found – Drive into Crach and take the right fork towards the campsite Fort Espagnol – this is the road that takes you to the River Auray – a dead-end. Nothing here but peace and quiet, take a melon and/or red grapefruit with you and sit on the quayside watching the world go by – bliss - TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!

 

ETEL

What we found - Work your way down to the seafront where there is a sheltered bathing lagoon opposite the Cinema.

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For very young children there is an unusual merry-go-round – enjoy the fish-market also.