Beach
Plage Saint-Michel
Piriac-sur-Mer · Loire-Atlantique
In the heart of Piriac-sur-Mer, Saint-Michel is the resort’s central beach, lifeguarded in July and August, with a shower, parking and a lifeboat slipway.
- Suggested time
- 2 hours to half a day
- Type of place
- Lifeguarded family beach in the heart of Piriac-sur-Mer
- Atmosphere
- Family-friendly, central, friendly and very Piriac
- Getting there
- Centre of Piriac-sur-Mer, behind the Place du Marché. The beach has its own car park and is reached on foot from the town.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 10/10
- As a couple
- 9/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- With a dog
- 4/10
- Reduced mobility
- 7/10
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
Saint-Michel is the iconic beach of central Piriac-sur-Mer. Behind the Place du Marché and the school, it is reached on foot straight from the town’s lanes. The beach has a lifeboat slipway, a shower and a car park. It is one of Piriac’s three lifeguarded beaches. The town states that it is lifeguarded from 1 July to 31 August, 7 days a week, from 12.30 pm to 7 pm. Water quality is monitored regularly by the regional health agency in high season. This makes it one of the easiest beaches in town for a family outing with little planning.
What you will see
- A sandy town-centre beach.
- Behind the market and the school.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Centre of Piriac-sur-Mer, behind the Place du Marché; the beach has its own car park and is reached on foot from the town
- Services
- Showers, parking, first-aid post in season
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- Dog rules vary by town and season; check the municipal order or the signs at the beach entrance.
- Accessibility
- Fairly easy central access
- Lifeguarded swimming
- In July and August, from 1 July to 31 August, 12.30 pm to 7 pm
- With family
- Very well suited
- Water quality
- Monitored by the regional health agency in season
- Tides
- Strong influence; at low tide, a wider foreshore; at high tide, swimming is closer
- Activities
- Swimming, walking, visiting central Piriac, photography, relaxing
- Safety
- Follow the first-aid post’s instructions, use the lifeboat slipway only for its purpose, watch children, check the tide, respect any water sports zones
- Best time
- With family, 12.30 pm to 7 pm in July and August; for calm, the morning; for photos, late afternoon, together with the old centre
- Photography
- The top of the beach, the lanes in the background, the water’s edge at mid-tide; late-afternoon light
- Ideal for
- Families, lifeguarded swimming, the historic centre, a car-free day, photography
- Nearby
- The old centre of Piriac, Piriac harbour, the market, the Pointe du Castelli, Lérat, the GR34
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 7 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.
- Combine your swim with a stroll through Piriac’s old lanes.
- Come on market day for a lively atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
Lifeguarded family beach in the heart of Piriac-sur-Mer.
Why come here?
Piriac’s most practical beach for family swimming, right behind the market and the old centre, with a summer lifeguard post and easy access.
How much time should I allow?
2 hours to half a day.
What is the atmosphere like?
Family-friendly, central, friendly and very Piriac.
Is swimming lifeguarded?
Yes, from 1 July to 31 August, 7 days a week, from 12.30 pm to 7 pm.
Can I walk there from the town centre?
Yes, it is right behind the Place du Marché.
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Traveller reviews
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Photographs: Arthur B. · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Papagon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons