Plage des Libraires, Pornichet: beach in Brittany

In Pornichet, Les Libraires is a large urban beach lifeguarded in summer, the only beach in Loire-Atlantique with the Handiplage level 4 label, with beach clubs, adapted access and a lively seafront.

Suggested time: 3 hours to a full day
Type of place: Large urban Handiplage level 4 beach in the heart of Pornichet
Atmosphere: Urban, family-friendly, accessible and very lively
Getting there: Boulevard des Océanides, 44380 Pornichet.

Who this place suits

With family: 10/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 10/10
Solo: 8/10
With a dog: 5/10
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

Les Libraires beach is Pornichet’s great seafront, continuing the bay of La Baule. It combines a sandy beach, a promenade, clubs, shops and town services. Its great strength is accessibility: it is the only beach in Loire-Atlantique with the Handiplage level 4 label. Beach assistants, adapted equipment and managed access to the water allow full support for disabled visitors. Swimming is lifeguarded in summer. Animals are banned in season and accepted on a lead from 15 September to 15 June.

What you will see

A large urban beach on the bay of La Baule.
Handiplage level 4.

Practical information

Getting there: Boulevard des Océanides, 44380 Pornichet
Services: Beach clubs, public toilets, bike parking, parking nearby
Parking: Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
Pets: Accepted on a lead from 15 September to 15 June
Accessibility: Handiplage level 4, managed access to the water
Swimming: Lifeguarded in summer only
Tides: Strong influence
Activities: Swimming, kids’ club, walking, Handiplage
Best time: Early morning or high tide
Nearby: Pornichet, La Baule, the harbour of Pornichet, Sainte-Marguerite

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 9 more tips

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.
Make the most of the Handiplage level 4 facilities, and check the beach assistants’ hours.
Use the managed access to the water.
Enjoy the seafront.
Arrive early in high season.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of beach is it?

A large urban Handiplage level 4 beach in the heart of Pornichet.

Why come here?

Pornichet’s most accessible and most urban beach, perfect for families and people with reduced mobility thanks to top-level Handiplage facilities.

How much time should I allow?

3 hours to a full day.

What is the atmosphere like?

Urban, family-friendly, accessible and very lively.

Is swimming lifeguarded?

In summer only.

What part does the tide play?

A big one: the tide strongly changes the beach.

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Photographs: Kamel15 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Gzen92 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons