Home › Camping in Brittany by the sea: coastal paths, tides, water
Camping in Brittany by the sea: coastal paths, tides, water
Camping by the sea in Brittany means a holiday on a coast of rocks, bays and headlands, with a footpath that runs along almost all of it. If you pitch right by the water, though, you also see the flip side: strong tides and a sea that stays rather fresh in summer.
This page explains which stretches of the north coast are best known, how to make use of the GR34 coastal path, what to watch for at low and high tide, and what weather to expect in summer. Below you will find the campsites with a sea or coastal location. The figures come from tourist boards, prefectures and Météo-France.
Pink Granite Coast and Côtes d'Armor
Brittany's north coast packs several types of landscape into a small area. According to the Côtes d'Armor tourist board, they include:
Cap Fréhel and Erquy: steep cliffs of pink sandstone, plus Fort La Latte.
Bay of Saint-Brieuc: a bay with pronounced tides between sandbanks and salt marshes.
Goëlo: a stretch of coast with the highest cliffs in Brittany.
Pink Granite Coast: rock formations near Ploumanac'h, Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden.
Further west, Finistère begins with its headlands; here the character of the coast differs markedly from the north again. Between Paimpol and Perros-Guirec lies the Sillon de Talbert, a spit of sand and shingle about 3 kilometres long that reaches far out to sea; off the coast lies the Île de Bréhat.
The GR34 coastal path as a day out
The GR34, also known as the Customs Officers' Path, follows the coast for more than 2,000 kilometres from Mont-Saint-Michel to the Saint-Nazaire bridge. It is waymarked in red and white and leads over rocky points, beaches, cliffs and salt marshes. It is not high-alpine, but the constant ups and downs make it harder going than the map suggests.
On the Pink Granite Coast, the section from Lézardrieux to Plestin-les-Grèves covers around 192 kilometres. The part between Perros-Guirec and Lannion (about 71 kilometres) passes the rocks of Ploumanac'h, while the Tréguier–Perros-Guirec section takes in the Gouffre de Plougrescant, Buguélès and Port-Blanc. As a rule of thumb, allow about 20 kilometres a day. The tourist board names mid-April to June and September as quieter, milder times for walking.
Tides: staying safe on the beach
The tides change the beach dramatically. During spring tides, the Ille-et-Vilaine prefecture reported tidal coefficients of around 100 and warned of strong currents and rapidly rising water, especially for children and people with reduced mobility.
The authority recommends:
Check tide times before every outing, for example via marée.info.
Do not set out alone, and let others know where you are going.
Wear bright clothing in yellow, red or orange.
Keep emergency numbers to hand: 196 (the CROSS maritime rescue centre) or 112.
If you are out on sandbanks walking on the flats or gathering shellfish, make sure you plan for the tide coming back in. According to the prefecture, strict rules apply to shellfish gathering to protect marine ecosystems and food safety; ask locally about the current regulations.
Summer weather and water temperature
The climate is oceanic. Météo-France reports for Brest-Guipavas (1991–2020 normals) around 1,174 millimetres of rain a year on 130 days and about 2,118 hours of sunshine. For July and August, a climate portal gives daytime highs in Brest of just under 21 degrees and lows of around 13 degrees; on the hottest days of the year, 27 to 28 degrees is usually reached.
The sea off Brest is about 17 degrees in July and about 17.5 degrees in August. So swimming is possible, but not for those who feel the cold. Pack a rain jacket and a fleece even in summer, and plan coastal walks for the drier days if you can. Trips to coastal towns suit showery or windy days, while the coastal path suits calmer ones.
What to do: ideas and a day-by-day plan
The Brittany coast is best explored in day-sized sections: coastal path, rocky beaches, islands and lighthouses are often close together. Choose one or two ideas per category, plan your day around the tides, and use the three day plans as a template.
Nature & beaches
Trégastel on the Pink Granite Coast1-2 hoursBeaches with bizarre rock formations. A good place to get to know the coast and its rock shapes on a leisurely walk.
Spring tides in Saint-MaloAccording to the tourism website, this is where the highest spring tides in Brittany occur. Watch them from the town walls and keep well back from the edge.
Île de Batzhalf a dayA small island off Roscoff with beaches, a circular path and a botanical garden. The ferry takes about 15 minutes from Roscoff harbour.
Île de Bréhathalf a dayThe island of flowers lies about 10 minutes by boat from the mainland. From the Widow's Cross near Ploubazlanec you can already see the Bréhat archipelago from land.
Culture & sights
Île de Batz lighthouse1 hourThe tower, about 44 metres tall, can be climbed and offers an outstanding panorama over the island and the sea.
Phare de Ploumanac'hThe lighthouse on the Pink Granite Coast, about 15 metres tall, is built entirely of red granite.
Île ViergeThe lighthouse is considered the tallest in Europe at 82.50 metres, with 397 steps of a spiral staircase. In clear weather its light reaches as far as 52 kilometres.
Jardin Georges Delaselle1-2 hoursA botanical garden on the Île de Batz that combines well with a walk around the island and the lighthouse.
Active & sports
GR34 from Landrellec to Trégastelhalf a dayA section of the Customs Officers' Path on the Pink Granite Coast. The GR34 is waymarked in red and white and can be walked in short sections in many places.
GR34 near Cap Fréhel and Fort la Lattehalf a dayA coastal walk on the Emerald Coast to the cape and the fortress along the GR34. The route offers sea views and can be walked as a section of the Customs Officers' Path.
Cycling on the Île de Batz1-2 hoursThe island is only 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. Bikes can be hired at the harbour, and a path leads all the way around the island.
Shore fishing on Callot islandIn Carantec, the tourism website mentions shore fishing on Callot island at low tide. Be sure to check the tide table, follow safety advice and keep away from the water's edge.
With kids
Rock formations in TrégastelThe beaches with unusual rock shapes invite children to explore and clamber between the stones, making for a varied walk.
Shellfish beds near Saint-Cast-le-GuildoAt low tide there are excursions to mussel beds and oyster farms that show what the sea leaves behind when the tide goes out.
Beaches of BénodetThe beaches slope gently into the water, which makes them well suited to families with younger children.
When it rains
Planétarium de Bretagne in Pleumeur-Bodou1-2 hoursUnder the 360-degree dome you travel into space, with constellations and galaxies. A programme made for rainy days.
Aquarium Saint-MaloAn indoor attraction with marine life, easy to combine with a visit to the town walls of Saint-Malo once the weather improves.
Haliotika in Le Guilvinec1-2 hoursAn exhibition on fishing featuring the rebuilt trawler Bara Breizh, offering an insight into the fishing culture of the coast.
Sample day plans
Day 1: Pink Granite Coast
Morning
Hike the GR34 from Landrellec to Trégastel; check the tide table beforehand and allow for the water level.
Afternoon
Explore the rock formations and beaches near Trégastel, then continue to the red granite lighthouse at Ploumanac'h. Leave plenty of time for photos.
Evening
Wind down by the water, or visit the planetarium in Pleumeur-Bodou if it rains.
Day 2: Île de Batz
Morning
Take the ferry from Roscoff to the Île de Batz, hire a bike at the harbour and cycle around the island.
Afternoon
Climb the lighthouse and visit the Jardin Georges Delaselle; Callot near Carantec is an extra stop at low tide.
Evening
Return to Roscoff and enjoy a relaxed evening by the harbour after a day on the island.
Day 3: Emerald Coast near Saint-Malo
Morning
Walk along the town walls of Saint-Malo and watch the tides; if it rains, visit the Saint-Malo aquarium instead.
Afternoon
Continue along the coastal route towards Cancale and the Pointe du Grouin, as far as the weather, time and paths allow.
Evening
A quiet finish at Cancale harbour after a day on the coast, with no fixed plans.
Campsites that match
232 matching campsites in our database, here the 48 best rated (by stars), grouped by location.
Off Brest, the summer water temperature is about 17 degrees in July and 17.5 degrees in August, according to a climate portal. It may differ depending on the stretch of coast. For long swims, many holidaymakers find the sea rather fresh.
What is the GR34, and is it worth it for campers?
The GR34 is a coastal walking trail of around 2,000 kilometres around Brittany, waymarked in red and white. Since it runs along the coast almost everywhere, day stages from your holiday base work well, for example on the Pink Granite Coast near Ploumanac'h.
Do I need to be careful about the tides?
Yes. The prefecture recommends checking tide times before setting out, not going alone, and being especially careful during spring tides. In an emergency, call 196 (CROSS) or 112.
When is the quietest time for coastal walks?
The tourist board names mid-April to June and September as the ideal time for the GR34: mild temperatures, long days and less busy than in the school holidays. Swimming at the beach is mainly possible in high summer.
How much rain should I allow for?
According to Météo-France, Brest-Guipavas records around 130 days with rainfall in an average year. In summer, a climate portal puts it at about ten rainy days a month. So you should always have rain protection with you.
