Plage de Port-Blanc, Saint-Pierre-Quiberon: beach in Brittany

On the Côte Sauvage of Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, Port-Blanc is a spectacular site of dunes, cliffs and swell next to a natural arch, to admire from the GR34: swimming is strictly forbidden.

Suggested time: 1 h 30 to half a day
Type of place: A Côte Sauvage landscape site; swimming strictly forbidden
Atmosphere: Spectacular, rugged, wild and oceanic
Getting there: Côte Sauvage, 56510 Saint-Pierre-Quiberon. Access from the car parks and the GR34.

Who this place suits

With family: 4/10
As a couple: 10/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 10/10
With a dog: 5/10
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

Port-Blanc belongs to the Côte Sauvage of Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, a coastline directly exposed to the Atlantic. The beach nestles between dunes and cliffs battered by wind and swell, close to the natural arch of Port-Blanc and the Pointe du Percho. The rule is clear: swimming is strictly forbidden along the whole Côte Sauvage of Quiberon and Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, because of ground swells, currents, rocks and powerful waves. It is a place for walking and photography. The cliffs and the arch are also prone to rockfalls, so stay on the marked paths and do not linger at the foot of the cliffs. Port-Blanc is not lifeguarded and mainly has a car park. The visit is at its best at sunset, from the GR34 and the authorised viewpoints.

What you will see

The Côte Sauvage.
Cliffs battered by the swell.
The natural arch of Port-Blanc.
A landscape site, not a swimming beach.

Practical information

Getting there: Côte Sauvage, 56510 Saint-Pierre-Quiberon; access from the car parks and the GR34
Services: Car park, GR34, no lifeguard post
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: A steep natural site, not well suited
Lifeguarded swimming: Not lifeguarded; swimming is strictly forbidden along the whole Côte Sauvage
Tides: The tide and swell change the landscape greatly, but never make swimming allowed
Activities: GR34, photography, watching the swell, geology, sunset
Safety: Never swim, stay on marked paths, do not linger at the foot of the cliffs, do not look for a way down to the arch, keep children away from the cliff edge, respect any closure after a rockfall
Best time: Sunset from the GR34, never at the foot of the cliffs in rough seas
Nearby: The Port-Blanc arch, the Pointe du Percho, Portivy, Port Bara, the Côte Sauvage

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.
Never swim, even when the sea looks calm.
Check the wind before a walk.
Do not go down onto the rocks when there is a swell.
Watch the sunset from the GR34.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of beach is it?

A Côte Sauvage landscape site; swimming strictly forbidden.

Why come here?

A spectacular site to discover from the GR34 for its cliffs, swell and natural arch, but never as a swimming beach: the whole Côte Sauvage is closed to swimming.

How much time should I allow?

1 h 30 to half a day.

What is the atmosphere like?

Spectacular, rugged, wild and oceanic.

Can I swim at Port-Blanc?

No. Swimming is strictly forbidden along the whole Côte Sauvage.

When is the best time to come?

At sunset, from the GR34.

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Photographs: Superbass · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Pymouss · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · rene boulay · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons