Visiting France and wondering what the best beaches in Brittany are? You’ve come to the right place!
Brittany has some of the most stunning coastlines in all of Europe, and its beaches are absolutely amazing. From dramatic cliffs to secluded coves, there’s a beach for everyone in Brittany.
Since Britanny is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the water is obviously not as warm as in the South but you can still enjoy swimming here in summer.
The coast and beaches are also amazing spots for walkers and nature lovers.
So, are you ready to discover the most beautiful beaches in Brittany? Let’s get started!
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Table of Contents
Grande Plage du Sillon, Saint-Malo
The Plage du Sillon is the largest sandy beach in Saint-Malo (3km long).
Three independent beaches constitute the Grande Plage du Sillon; The beach of Haugette, the Grande Plage, and the Plage de Rochebonne.
The Plage du Sillon beach is excellent for people seeking to have long walks on soft sand, swimming, windsurfing, and kite flying.
The city of Saint-Malo is one of the major tourist destinations in Northern Brittany.
Expect the beach to be a hive of activities, especially over the weekend.
When you are not enjoying the wonders of the beach, you can explore different sites in the city to learn more about the city’s significance as a historical centre.
Plage du Goulien, Crozon
The Goulien beach is one of the largest, natural, and wild beaches in the Crozon Peninsula.
This is one of the best places in the Peninsula to catch a lovely sunset as you lounge on the soft sands.
There are camping sites nearby as well and the underdeveloped nature of this beach has a lot to offer to beach lovers who love exploring outdoor activities.
You are likely to find many people surfing, kayaking, and enjoying all types of water sports on this beach.
It is a 2.5km family-friendly and sandy beach.
The beach is always crowded in the Summer as families come here to enjoy the different attractions.
Plage de l’Ecluse, Dinard
The l’Ecluse is also an excellent beach to visit with your family.
There is a ton of beach space to explore as you feel the breeze on your face and see the seagulls flying high above the ocean.
Swimming, kayaking, and paddling are some of the activities you can explore on this beach.
Dinard town is a wonderful coastal retreat and you can expect the beach to be crowded with families and locals during the weekends and summer holidays.
Finding a place to park can be problematic over the weekend.
The shores are shallow and perfect for kids to swim and enjoy the crystal-clear water.
The town itself is donned with numerous old neo-gothic villas and houses that bring a level of charm and sophistication that attracts hordes of tourists.
LostMarc’h, Crozon
Less than a kilometre and directly opposite the Plage de L’ile Vierge lies this beautiful, open, sandy beach.
The LostMarc’h has cliffs and dunes that are perfect for exploration by rock climbers and outdoor adventurers.
Be careful if you want to swim on this beach because the water currents may be high sometimes and there is no lifeguard on location.
You will find perfect spots to enjoy watching the sunset with your family.
Free parking is about 1 kilometre away, so be prepared to do a bit of walking to get to the beach.
You will likely spot a few surfers catching the evening wave during your visit.
The beach is clean and you can enjoy walking barefoot on the smooth and golden sands.
If you are a surfer, the best time to visit this beach is during the Spring time.
Plage de l’île Vierge, Crozon
This is one of the difficult beaches to reach, but your efforts will be rewarded when you get there.
There is a curved, steep path to follow that leads you to the cliffs and ultimately into the expansive beachfront.
Do not walk too close to the cliffs lest you risk injury should a rock fall.
Swimming is a popular activity at this beach. The water is turquoise and very clean.
Plage de L’île Vierge beach was voted as one of the best beaches to visit in Europe.
Despite the slight accessibility problem, you can still expect to find large crowds of people enjoying the views and the water at any given time of the year at this beach.
The beach is part of the Crozon Peninsula. There are caves to explore here as well.
La Baule Beach, La Baule-Escoublac
La Baule-Escoublac bay is a quaint little ocean town full of charming houses, fashionable hotels, and numerous entertainment establishments.
It is a popular tourist destination for a simple reason: It has the longest beach in Brittany and one of the longest in Europe (stretching over 9 kilometres).
Unlike most beaches here, La Baule Beach is wide with numerous ocean-facing hotels that attract a throng of tourists.
The sand is thin and soft and the shore is shallow enough for kids to enjoy a good swim.
Lifeguards are present in the summer months.
Kayaking, swimming, surfing, and paddling are some of the activities you can enjoy at this beach.
Plage du Coz-Pors, Tregastel
People who love rock climbing will be at home on the Plage du Coz-Pors beach.
There are interesting-looking rocks to explore and taking an evening stroll on the beach can be a refreshing activity.
The islets and the outcrops of pink granite boulders (which have interesting names) contrast each other, forming part of the beach’s ecosystem.
After spending time at the beach, you can take your kids to the aquarium at Plage du Coz-Pors to see aquatic life.
The largest bird sanctuary in France is also located close to Tregastel in a place called ‘The Archipelago of seven islands’.
Grande Plage de Damgan, Damgan
In South Brittany, on the Morbihan (a town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean) lies one of the whitest sandy beaches in Brittany.
Damgan is a small but culturally rich and very sophisticated town with numerous old architectural buildings donning the city wherever you go.
The beach is ideal for families because the 4 km long shore is shallow enough for the kids to swim safely.
Damgan is just a stone’s throw from the beach if you are looking to visit quaint little hotels and historic centres.
Swimming, walking, cycling, kayaking, and paddling are some of the best activities you can engage in here.
Plage de Trestraou, Perros Guirec
Trestraou beach is very popular and it is easy to see why.
The beautiful sandy beach opens up to one of the clearest and most magnificent skylines you can experience in Brittany.
The shore is shallow and the clean sky-blue water invites guests for a swim or surfing at any time of the year.
You will also have unlimited access to amenities since the beach’s entrance is close to the city center.
There are lifeguards on duty during the summer season and the tide is usually low during the day making it an ideal beach when visiting with family or kids. Showers are present as well.
If you would love to surf, there is a surfing school at the east end of the beach.
Plage de Goas Treiz, Trebeurden
If you are looking for a great beach to go kitesurfing, this one will be perfect for you!
The long sandy shoreline, coupled with the wind makes it the perfect spot for kite surfing and windsurfing.
It’s also one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Brittany so if you are travelling with your pup, it’s a great place to check out.
It’s important to note that there are no lifeguards on this beach so if you do go for a swim, be careful of the currents and the kitesurfers!
Due to its ideal location, facing the northwest, the plate de Goas Treiz is also an excellent sunset spot in Brittany.
The colours of the sky reflect in the water, making the entire scenery purple. It’s beautiful!
Plage des Trois-Curés, Plougonvelin
If you are looking for a beach that looks like one you would find on the French Riviera but right here, in Brittany, the plage des Trois curés will be perfect for you!
This beach is located in a rocky cove. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Here the sand is soft and the water is blue turquoise. It has a bit of a Caribbean atmosphere! And yet, it is in Brittany.
Please note that the stairs to go down to the beach is rather steep so it may not be the best for young children and elderly people.
Plage de Lortouais, Erquy
If you are looking for a beautiful natural beach with coves, the plate de Lortouais will be an excellent option.
This beach is rather long and fairly wide, which makes it perfect for walks.
Please note that the beach is split into two parts. The one on the right is great for families.
The one on the left is a naturist beach.
Finally, it’s important to note that there are no lifeguards on this beach so be careful when you go for a swim.