Beach
Donnant Beach
Belle-Île-en-Mer · Morbihan
In Bangor, Donnant is a cove more than 350 m long facing due west, overlooked by huge dunes, known for its rollers, its surf schools and lifeguarded swimming in July and August.
- Suggested time
- 3 to 5 hours, a full day with a hike
- Type of place
- Large ocean surf beach in the heart of Belle-Île’s dunes
- Atmosphere
- Oceanic, wild, sporty and monumental
- Getting there
- Plage de Donnant, 56360 Bangor. Two main access points with car parks above, then a walk.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 7/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 10/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 6/10
- Reduced mobility
- 2/10
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
Donnant is one of the great natural sites of Belle-Île-en-Mer. The cove is more than 350 metres long and opens due west onto the Atlantic, so it catches almost every swell. It is the roughest beach on the island and one of its major surfing and bodyboarding spots, with two surf schools. In July and August, swimming is lifeguarded in a marked area. Stay in the central part, as the currents become treacherous near the rocks at the sides. At low tide, many rock pools remain among the rocks. At high tide, a large rock visually splits the beach in two. The back dune rises to more than 40 metres in places and is part of a protected natural area. There are two access points, via Petit-Cosquet on the Bangor side and via the Jean standing stone area on the Sauzon side. Dogs are allowed on Bangor’s beaches from 1 May to 30 September before 2 pm and after 7 pm, and must be kept on a lead on the coastal path.
What you will see
- A cove more than 350 m long, facing due west.
- A major surfing and bodyboarding spot, with two surf schools.
- Lifeguards in July and August; dangerous currents at the sides.
- Rock pools at low tide; a large rock splits the beach at high tide.
- Dunes more than 40 m high in places, in a protected natural area.
- Access via Petit-Cosquet on the Bangor side, or the Jean standing stone towards Sauzon.
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- Very exposed to the swell; remarkable sunsets; a coastal path that is steep in places.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Plage de Donnant, 56360 Bangor. Two main access points with car parks above, then a walk
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- From 1 May to 30 September in Bangor, allowed before 2 pm and after 7 pm. On a lead on the coastal path
- Accessibility
- Natural access over dunes and paths, not very suitable
- Lifeguarded swimming
- In summer; swimming outside the lifeguarded area is not recommended
- Activities
- Surfing, bodyboarding, skimboarding, lifeguarded swimming, hiking, photography, watching the dunes
- Best time
- Late in the day for the light on the dune; a swell for surfing
- Nearby
- Bangor, Sauzon, the Borderun-Donnant loop, the wild coast, the Grand Phare, Port Coton
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.
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- 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.
- A lifeguarded beach can still be dangerous outside the area or hours.
- Match surfing to your level.
- For paddleboarding, check the wind.
- Choose June or September for more peace and quiet.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
A large ocean surf beach in the heart of Belle-Île’s dunes.
Why come here?
Belle-Île’s most spectacular and sporty beach, a must for surfing, bodyboarding, sunsets and big landscapes, with real currents to respect.
How much time should I allow?
3 to 5 hours, a full day with a hike.
What is the atmosphere like?
Oceanic, wild, sporty and monumental.
When is the best time to swim?
During lifeguard hours and at a suitable tide.
Are there toilets?
Facilities vary; do not count on them at the beach.
Stay in Belle-Île-en-Mer
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Traveller reviews
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Photographs: Pmau · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Franck-fnba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons