We are only 30 minutes from the coast at Vannes. There are so many places to go to the beach we can't show them all. Below are some shots from Carnac, Damgan and a few others. Brittany has the longest coastline of any department in France so there`s quite a choice.
Carnac (about 45 mins drive)
There are a lot of beaches around the coast at Carnac and all are pale yellow
soft sand. They are clean and well looked after and the children love them
(well ours do). There's a nice promenade if you fancy a stroll and loads of
places to eat and drink in the pretty town. You can also take the fifty minute
tour on the little train that takes you round the town and out to the mysterious
neolithic megaliths that make Carnac world famous. Also check out the Megalithic Museum which is packed full of fascinating artifacts.
Damgan (about
40 mins drive)
There is also a big selection of beaches around Damgan – which is where
the French all tend to holiday, the English are a rarer breed there. Damgan’s
main beach is stunning and there’s plenty of places to buy food, ice
creams etc. The main town and its numerous restaurants is just yards from
the beach. There’s also a large play area just off the beach with swings,
slides and roundabouts -see bottom right photo below.
One great advantage of Damgan is that its choice of
beaches are all close together. There are the busier beaches and also those that are very quiet.
Most of the photos taken below were taken in the second week of July
so you have some idea about what it`s like in the summer. The beaches
here are very gently sloping which means an adult can walk out half
a kilometre on some of them and still not be submerged when the tides
in- the tide does come in quite quickly though. There`s a photo below
showing the beach with the tide out.
It takes ages to walk out to the sea but it`s a great place for the kids
to play. On one of the beaches there`s an area of rock pools when the
tide goes out. See the locals scratching around
for their dinner (mussels, whelks and oysters are abundant).
A recommended restaurant in Damgan is the creperie,which is about 200 yards from the beach. There`s also a fantastic artisanal ice cream maker with more flavour's than you can imagine.
Alternatively try The Bistro de la Mer? (very nice fresh, simple food– we eat there a lot. Both restaurants are about 75m apart so park up and take a look at the menus.
Penerf
As well as offering two great restaurants this small fishing port just up from Damgan is truly scenic in its own right. The quiet bay is tranquil and calm and you can just sit there in the peace and relax whilst watching the locals busy fishing. There`s a sandy beach there as well and also an oyster farm. Take a trip across the bay on the river taxi and stroll round the commercial oyster farms there.
Ambon
Ambon -near Damgan- has three of four beaches- all of which have loads of sand and great views across the bay. Our favourite is shown below as it has a grass strip running along the back which is flat and nice to sit on. It` always really quiet as well !!
La
Baule
A massive bay with sandy beach. Very clean and scenic. Loads to do
: water sports, bars, restaurants and shops. really nice town to walk round and there`s a market most days in the summer. La Baule is known as the Monaco of the North and certainly is pretty smart !
Sarzeau
On the southern side of the Golfe du Morbihan the coastline is a
mixture of dramatic granite cliff tops and sheltered sandy coves.
You can take a great walks along the cliffs then climb down to a hidden
beach, relax and go for a swim. Have a picnic !!!
The Northern edge of the Golfe is all sandy beaches. Lots of them in fact, all generally deserted. Just take a trip along the coast towards Lamor Baden and then turn left towards the sea. There's dozens and dozens of tiny country lanes that wind down to the beaches. They pop out right on the sand so just stop and you 're already on the beach- there's so many hidden coves and inlets you'll never have time to find them all- we still haven't.....
Try some of
the others………
La Trinite- sur- Mer
La Trinité sur Mer is about 15 minutes drive from Auray and is one of France's biggest yachting centres. It is well known internationally as a yachting centre. The immediate vicinity of La Trinité has some beautiful, stunning beaches, has a large marina and some excellent shops
and galleries.
Quiberon peninsula
Stretches fourteen kilometres
into the sea and boasts twelve sandy beaches and more than 2,500
hours of sunlight a year. The main town of Quiberon is one
of Morbihan's liveliest and most popular resorts with a large sandy
beach, promenade and plenty of beach side bars, restaurants and souvenir
shops. From Quiberon there is a ferry to the island of Belle-Ile.
Belle Isle
This is Brittany's largest island. It is fifteen Km offshore and has attractive
beaches, beautiful and varied scenery and plenty of historical sites. There
are guided coach tours, which are an ideal way for day trippers to explore
the island.
Isle aux Moines
Nip down to Port Blanc near Vannes. Pay three Euros for the boat trip to the
island (boats leave every half an hour) and test out the beaches there. Have
lunch in one of the many restaurants. Hire a bike or a boat, or just go for
a walk.
Large sandy beach near the town with easy parking. It's a port that is rich in history with impressive ramparts, a large museum and traditional town centre full of character. The fortified citadel, dating from 1591, at the harbour entrance was used as a prison, barracks and arsenal and is now a complex of several interesting museums.
Batz-sur-Mer
This is a really nice small town further along the coast from La Baule. The town square is traditional in every way, packed with flowers and cafes with tables and chairs filling the restaurants. Not only that but there`s a great sandy beach which is perfect for sunbathers and those people who are looking for a bit more as well. It is a bit busier than the other beaches above.
There`s things for the children to do (trampolines etc) and loads and loads of rock pools to explore. There`s a fantastic cliff-top walk along a rough sandy track which winds its way around the rocky headlands and coves. The views are stunning and well worth the trek !
Don`t forget to eat in one of the restaurants in the town square. The pizzeria is great.
Gavres
Ten minutes further
along the coast is Gavres, miles of unspoilt sandy beaches, no facilities
but no crowds either. Ample parking next to the beach.
Penn Lann
If you`d like your own `personal beach` then head up to Penn Lann just south of Damgan on the other side of Billiers. Park up at the end of the headland in the car park and instead of opting for the main beach by the restaurant walk to the left along the cliff top path. In just a few hundred yards you`ll come across various little routes down the cliffs to tiny secluded beaches just a few hundred yards long. There are plenty to choose from and most are empty.
Auray
Although there is a beach near Auray we recommend a trip
down to the estuary and port (35 miles drive). It is absolutely stunning. You
can go for a really nice walk along the river and then go and have lunch in one
of the numerous quay side restaurants. Have mussels, scallops or oysters if you
like seafood. Alternatively try a French pizza, some pasta or perhaps something
more traditional in an auberge.
Beach tip !!!!!
The French go to the beach from about 2.30 pm so if you want to go when it`s quietest (although it never actually gets busy) then go before then !
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