Camping holiday : discover the prettiest areas in Finistère
Are you planning a weekend or longer in Finistère but don’t know where to go exactly ? North Finistère ? South Finistère ? On the coast or in the countryside ? A sporting, relaxing or cultural holiday ? Here are a selection of 5 of the best places to enjoy a holiday in Finistère !
Pays Bigouden
We’ll start our tour of the prettiest areas in Finistère with Pays Bigouden located on the southern tip of the department (or on the « chin » of Brittany if you like !). This Breton land steeped in traditions, renowned for its headdresses which were still worn by local women until recently, stretches from the banks of the Odet river to the bay of Audierne.
The main attraction not to be missed in Guilvinec, Saint-Guénolé and Loctudy is the return of the fishing boats to land their catch. These three fishing ports are amonst the busiest in France. Pays Bigouden also boasts an impressive architectural heritage comprising chapels, calvaries, fountains and manorhouses.
The landscapes in Bigouden are just as impressive, particularly the bay of Audierne. From the Phare d'Eckmühl lighthouse, follow Route du Vent Solaire which winds around the coast to the famous cliffs at Pointe du Raz.
Our favourite campsites in Pays Bigouden : Camping Yelloh Village la Plage ****, at pointe de Penmarc'h Camping Yelloh Village L'Océan Breton *****, in Lesconil, two of the best campsites in Finistère.
Bay of Morlaix
You will soon fall in love with the delightful bay of Morlaix in northern Finistère. From Roscoff to Locquirec and the Carantec peninsula… you will find family-friendly beaches and small wild coves, remarkable architectural heritage and even mountains !
The unusual formation of rocks in Plougasnou, Tahiti beach in Carantec and the Cairn de Barnenez are just a few of the most beautiful areas in Finistère. If you fancy a trip out to sea you can enjoy a boat trip to discover the Château de Taureau, Ile Louët, Ile Callot or the exotic botanical garden on Ile de Batz.
History enthusiasts can lose themselves in the narrow streets of Morlaix, a town of art and history renowned for its granite viaduct and unique overhanging houses. As for landscapes, the bay of Morlaix has its very own mountain range, Monts d’Arrée, very similar to the mountains in Ireland. The highest peak, Roc’h Ruz, stands 385 metres tall. Not bad for Brittany !
Where to camp in the bay of Morlaix : Camping Yelloh Village les Mouettes *****, in Carantec
The Breton Riviera
South of Quimper in the heart of French cornwall, discover Fouesnant-les Glénan, Bénodet and Forêt-Fouesnant, three delightful coastal towns on the Breton riviera, one of the most popular destinations in Finistère ! It’s not surprising as this exquisite area of Brittany has everything to attract the tourists !
It’s difficult to resist the charm of Letty beach and its « Mer Blanche » (white sea), the little harbour of Beg-Meil, Bot Conan cove and its rhododendrons, the marina at Port la Forêt and the Pointe de Mousterlin headland and its view over the Glénan islands. Words can’t describe the beauty of the Glénan islands, known as Breton Tahiti. A small corner of paradise an hour’s crossing from Fouesnant.
Our selection of campsites in Fouesnant-les-Glénan : Camping Sunêlia l'Atlantique ****, opposite the Glénan islands
Trégunc and Pointe de Trévignon
Uninterrupted white sand beaches and turquoise waters… If this is your dream, then Trévignon is the place for you ! Located in the town of Trégunc, between Concarneau and Pont-Aven, Trévignon would not be out of place in the carribean ! The water is transparent and even turquoise in some areas. Its a little corner of paradise !
Trévignon boasts a picture-postcard setting : a lively little harbour where fishermen sell their daily catch, a small, square white and green lighthouse watching over the sea, a castle inspired by Scottish mansions… All of this in the heart of a superb natural site owned by the French Coast Protection Agency. And to add to the pleasure, there is a little restaurant right on the harbour front where you can enjoy a drink or pancake and admire the Glénan islands and bay of Concarneau opposite.
Our favourite campsite in the bay of Concarneau : Camping Airotel La Pommeraie de l'Océan, in Trégunc (29)
Valley of Ellé
If you love an adventure, discover the valley of Ellé, its wild river, cascading rocks and legends. The Valley of Ellé is located between Le Faouët and Quimperlé on the border between Finistère and Morbihan. Nature lovers, sports fanatics and history enthusaists will be in their element surrounded by the most spectacular scenery.
Around the towns of Querrien, Guilligomarc'h and Locunolé, the Ellé river has carved a deep wild valley in the rocks, creating the perfect conditions for sports such as canoeing-kayaking as well as hiking, mountain biking, tree-top climbing or fishing for trout and salmon in the river.
If you are fascinated by Breton legends and spectacular places, head for Meslan and the Devil’s Rocks, a formation of huge, strange-shaped boulders on the edge of the wildest river in Brittany in the heart of a land of legends !
The ideal campings in Pays de Quimperlé Le Village Loisirs de Ty Nadan, in Locunolé (29)
photo © Alexandre Lamoureux, CRT Bretagne
