Beach
Pors Carn Beach
Penmarc’h · Finistère
In 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.
- Suggested time
- 3 hours to a full day
- Type of place
- Large natural surf beach, lifeguarded and with the Handiplage label
- Atmosphere
- Sporty, family-friendly, oceanic and natural
- Getting there
- Pors Carn, 29760 Penmarc’h. Access from Saint-Guénolé, car parks nearby.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 10/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 6/10
- Reduced mobility
- 10/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
Pors Carn marks the start of the bay of Audierne, between Saint-Guénolé and the Pointe de La Torche. The beach stretches for about two kilometres of fine sand and faces north-west, in a protected natural area much loved by surfers. In 2026, the town of Penmarc’h provided lifeguards every day from 4 July to 30 August, from 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The beach has the Handiplage label and offers a Hippocampe beach wheelchair and a Tiralo in July and August. Surfing, stand up paddle and windsurfing take place in regulated zones, separate from the lifeguarded swimming area. Picnic tables, children’s games and car parks complete the facilities. Dogs on a lead are allowed from 1 May to 30 September only from 8 pm to 10 am, then at any time from 1 October to 30 April. The beach keeps a truly natural character despite its facilities.
What you will see
- About 2 km of fine sand.
- Facing north-west.
- A protected natural area.
- A view towards La Torche.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Pors Carn, 29760 Penmarc’h; access from Saint-Guénolé, car parks nearby
- Services
- First-aid post, Hippocampe, Tiralo, picnic tables, children’s games, car parks
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- From 1 May to 30 September, allowed on a lead from 8 pm to 10 am; no time limits out of season
- Accessibility
- Handiplage, Hippocampe and Tiralo in July and August
- Lifeguarded swimming
- In 2026, every day from 4 July to 30 August, from 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm
- Tides
- Low tide for wide open spaces, rising or high tide for swimming
- Activities
- Swimming, surfing, stand up paddle, windsurfing, walking, photography
- Safety
- Respect the three water sports zones in season, never cross a surf channel to reach the swimming area, check the swell before swimming
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon for calm; a good swell for surfing
- Nearby
- The Pointe de La Torche, Saint-Guénolé, the Musée de la Préhistoire, Tronoën, the Eckmühl lighthouse
Tips on the spot
- Check the tide times before you go, and download them for offline use.
- Check the marine weather, swell and wind.
- Read the signs at the entrance and respect the flags and instructions.
- Choose the lifeguarded area when there is one, and do not overestimate your swimming level.
- Watch children at all times, and set a family meeting point.
Show 10 more tipsHide
- Check the water quality in season, and do not swim if there is a ban.
- Arrive early in July and August; June and September are quieter.
- Use sun cream even when the sky is hazy, and keep a windproof layer.
- Respect the dunes and vegetation, and take all your litter home.
- If in doubt about conditions, do not swim.
- Ask the first-aid post for the Hippocampe or the Tiralo.
- Beginner surfers should book a lesson with a local school.
- Bring a windbreaker: the north-west exposure is felt.
- Combine the beach with La Torche, keeping off the fragile dunes.
- Use the picnic tables for a full day.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
Large natural surf beach, lifeguarded and with the Handiplage label.
Why come here?
A large beach that is both sporty and family-friendly, ideal for surfing and wide open spaces, with particularly complete lifeguard and accessibility arrangements in summer.
How much time should I allow?
3 hours to a full day.
What is the atmosphere like?
Sporty, family-friendly, oceanic and natural.
Is swimming lifeguarded?
In 2026, every day from 4 July to 30 August, from 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
Can I surf here?
Yes, in regulated zones separate from the swimming area.
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Read in the journal
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- DepartmentWhat to do in FinistèreThe tip of Brittany, from the Pays des Abers to the Bay of Concarneau: lighthouses, coves and towns of character.
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Traveller reviews
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Photographs: Jeanne Menjoulet from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Moreau.henri · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Jeanne Menjoulet · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons