Brittany has almost 5000 km of coastline*. A chiseled coastline offering a multitude of landscapes that change with the weather and the seasons. Marked by the famous GR 34, Brittany's coastline is an immense playground for hikers and water sports enthusiasts alike: surfing, paddling, kitesurfing, kayaking, longe-côte.... And if water sports aren't your forte, you'll also find breathtaking coastal scenery. Here's an overview from north to south.

Oysters and sand yachts in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Brittany is best explored from the north. Head for the salty butter part of Mont Saint-Michel Bay. At low tide, a vast silty expanse opens up as far as the eye can see. The perfect opportunity to try your hand at sand yachting, at Hirel or Cherrueix. At high tide, the water is covered with a film of seawater, ideal for kitesurfing.

After the effort, the comfort. Taste oysters in the port of Cancale before heading for Saint-Malo, then Saint-Lunaire. The beaches of Le Sillon and Longchamps are the first surf spots to try out in Northern Brittany. There aren't many waves to get under your board in summer, but it works better from October to April. The long Sillon beach lends itself perfectly to longe-côte, or sea-walking. Beware, even in summer, the water here rarely exceeds 19 degrees. If you're chilly, opt for a wetsuit, or head south.

Sanguine surfers and emerald sea at Erquy

From Ille-et-Vilaine, it's a short hop to Côtes-d'Armor. Here, the Bay of Lancieux offers a sanctuary for sailing enthusiasts. Paddleboarding and kayaking offer unrivalled views of this rocky coastline and emerald sea. A few dozen kilometers to the north, you can disembark at Erquy and Cap Fréhel. Plage des Sables d'or for beginners or Grèves d'en bas for advanced surfers. The locals can be a little sanguine in the water. After the session, you can take refuge on the little-known Château Serein beach, or in Erquy, where you can sample the local specialty: scallops.

To find waves, you'll have to go around the Bay of Saint-Brieuc and up towards Perros-Guirrec, Trestel or Trébeurden. The famous pink granite coast, with its wave-polished rocks and picture-postcard scenery. A little higher up, the Plougrescrant chasm or the Sillon de Talbert can offer you a joyful fishing trip and a delightful stroll. Here too, you can take your paddle out for a different view. Just watch out for currents that may send you out to sea.

From Morlaix to Roscoff, the Breton way

Locquirec is your gateway to Finistère. With its northern, western and southern exposures, Finistère is the Breton department with the richest and most varied coastline. Beware, well tempered characters. You're dead Breton. Driving along the coast from Morlaix to Conquet is a feast for the eyes, and the roads are very accessible. Le Dossen, Boutrouilles, Penfoul, les Blancs Sablons - there's no shortage of spots on this rocky coast, home to some sublime beaches. Don't forget to take an onion break in Roscoff. This is Brittany's vegetable granary. The sea as far as the eye can see. The next stop is the United States.

You can either go around Brest or stop there. Then escape to the Crozon peninsula. Leave Morgat to visit the caves by boat or paddle. Admire the Ile Vierge beach from the sea (the beach is off-limits for conservation reasons). Go longboarding at Goulien. Take bombs at La Palue. Admire the heap of weights from the tip of Pen Hir. Fall in love with Pen Hat beach. Cultivate yourself at the Vauban fort in Camaret-sur-Mer or at the Pointe des Espagnols. Crozon is a jewel. Best visited out of season to avoid the crowds and gain easier access to La Palue beach. You're sure to fall in love.

Then it's downhill to Douarnenez, where Kouign Amann is a must, and on to the Bay of Audierne. The Baie des Trépassés, nestled between the Pointe du Raz and the Pointe du Van, offers some of the coldest waters in Brittany. The panorama is breathtaking, and the waves top-notch. From Audierne, take the tourist route. Saint-Tugen, Gwendrez, Pouldreuzic, Penhors - beyond their exotic names, these beaches will lead you to the famous spot of La Torche. One of the most accessible and easiest places to learn to surf in Brittany. Overcrowded in summer, you can move to Tronoën and Treguennec. The small port of Lesconil will delight lovers of sea outings, and Le Guilvinec will delight lovers of langoustines.

From Erdeven to Penthièvre, an endless beach

We're back on the road to the last department of the Fantastic 4: Morbihan. We follow the coast from Guidel to Larmor-Plage. The little sea of Gâvres offers excellent conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Cross the ria d'Étel to reach Erdeven, Plouharnel and its immense beach stretching as far as the isthmus of Penthièvre. From sand yachting to kitesurfing, surfing to longe-côte, you'll find just about every activity imaginable, whatever your level. Advanced surfers should head for Quiberon and its famous Côte Sauvage. It's well worth the detour, if only for its rocky landscapes and incredible sunsets.

Auray-Vannes is a well-known half-marathon in the region. Both towns are well worth a visit. There are no waves from here on in, but there are plenty of coastlines to be explored. The Rhuys peninsula offers excellent conditions for sailing at Penvins, or for long-distance sailing at Roaliguen. The journey can end in Pénestin. The Mine d'Or beach, on the side of a reddish cliff, offers an unusual setting. In season, you can treat yourself to a delicious dish of mussels before hitting the road again.

You can come back whenever you like to explore Brittany on land. Kenavo as we say back home.

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* Shom-IGN study, 2021: https://services.data.shom.fr/static/specifications/Descriptif_Contenu_ProduitExterne_Limite_terre-mer.pdf