Region guide
What to do in the Pays Bigouden
The Eckmühl lighthouse, the Pointe de la Torche, the port of Le Guilvinec, Pont-l’Abbé, Loctudy, Île-Tudy and the Tronoën calvary: the guide to the Pays Bigouden, in southern Finistère.
6 min read
South west of Quimper, the Pays Bigouden is known for its tall lace headdress, its fishing ports and its big beaches facing the ocean. A land of character, flat and full of light.
The Eckmühl lighthouse and Saint-Guénolé
In Penmarc’h, the all granite Eckmühl lighthouse can be climbed in the summer season for a view over the whole coast. The nearby Saint-Guénolé rocks take the full force of the waves on stormy days: keep a safe distance.
The coast
LighthouseEckmühl LighthousePenmarc’h · 1 h to 1 h 30.A monumental 65 m lighthouse in Penmarc’h, built in 1897, with 307 steps and a 360-degree view over the Pays Bigouden.
BeachLa Torche BeachPlomeur · 3 hours to a full dayIn Plomeur, La Torche stretches about 2 km of white sand facing due west in a Natura 2000 site, with world-famous surfing, lifeguarded swimming in summer, surf schools, the GR34 and strong currents.
BeachPors Carn BeachPenmarc’h · 3 hours to a full dayIn Penmarc’h, Pors Carn opens the bay of Audierne with about 2 km of fine sand facing north-west, a protected natural setting much loved by surfers, lifeguarded in summer and with the Handiplage label.
BeachPlage du Sillon, Grande Plage de l’Île-TudyÎle-Tudy · 3 hours to a full dayIn Île-Tudy, Le Sillon beach unrolls about 1 km of fine, south-facing sand, with lifeguarded swimming in summer, a sailing centre, a playground, picnic tables, a first-aid post and a Hippocampe beach wheelchair.
The Pointe de la Torche
It is one of the great surfing and windsurfing spots in Europe. A huge beach stretches north, pounded by rollers: swimming is dangerous, but watching the surfers is worth the trip.
Le Guilvinec and the return of the fishing boats
Le Guilvinec is one of the leading small scale fishing ports in France. In the late afternoon, you can watch the trawlers come in and unload their fish for the auction, from the terrace built for visitors.
Pont-l’Abbé, Loctudy and Île-Tudy
Pont-l’Abbé is the Bigouden capital; its castle houses the Musée Bigouden, which is reopening after lengthy works: check its dates. In July, the Fête des Brodeuses celebrates embroidery and the headdress. Loctudy and Île-Tudy face each other across the river, linked by a small ferry.
Pont-l’Abbé and the markets
MuseumMusée Bigouden, Pont-l’AbbéPont-l’Abbé · About 1 h 30 once it reopensIn the castle of the Barons du Pont, the Musée Bigouden preserves the memory of the Pays Bigouden through headdresses, embroidered costumes, furniture, photography, rural life and maritime heritage. Currently closed for renovation.- MarketGrand marchéPont-l'Abbé · 1 to 2 hoursOn Thursday mornings, Pont-l’Abbé hosts the biggest market in the Pays Bigouden, on Place de la République and Place Gambetta, in the heart of the Bigouden capital.
- MarketMarché du GuilvinecGuilvinec · 1 to 2 hoursOn Tuesday and Sunday mornings, the Le Guilvinec market sets up in front of the church and in the streets of the centre, in France’s leading small-scale fishing port.
The Tronoën calvary
Near the Bay of Audierne, the Notre-Dame-de-Tronoën chapel has one of the oldest calvaries in Brittany, carved in the 15th century, standing in the middle of the dunes.
Where to stay in the Pays Bigouden
Stay in Pays bigouden
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Going further
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