The Crozon peninsula, a wild jewel of Finistère
The Crozon peninsula juts out into the Iroise Sea, between the Rade de Brest to the north and the Baie de Douarnenez to the south. Classified as a Regional Natural Park (Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique) and part of the Iroise Marine Natural Park, its 120 km of coastline hold some of Brittany's most spectacular scenery: 60-metre pink sandstone cliffs, coves with turquoise waters, sea caves you can visit by boat, and the GR34 path running the full length of the coast.
Crozon has around ten sandy beaches, each with its own character. Surfers head for Pen Hat and La Palue to catch the Atlantic rollers. Families love Morgat and its large lifeguard-patrolled beach at the foot of the village. Walkers discover Lostmarc'h and its 400-million-year-old fossils, or the hidden cove of Goulien tucked between the cliffs. It is also one of the few places in Finistère where beaches face every direction: due west towards the open sea, south towards the Baie de Douarnenez, and even north towards the Rade de Brest.
What about Île Vierge?
Île Vierge beach, often listed as one of Europe's most beautiful by The Guardian in 2013, has been closed to the public since March 2020. The influx of visitors had weakened the cliffs and the access path, making the descent dangerous. Access is prohibited by land and by sea, and the local police issue fines (€135). The view from the GR34 path above Saint-Hernot is still spectacular, though, and the walk to the viewpoint is well worth it.
Crozon's beaches
How to choose your beach in Crozon
| Beach | Type | Length | Best for | Lifeguards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgat | Large family beach | 1 km | Families, sea caves, restaurants | Yes (summer) |
| Pen Hat | Surf beach | 800 m | Surfing, scenery, cliffs | No (swimming banned) |
| La Palue | Wild beach | 700 m | Surfing, nature, GR34 hiking | No (swimming banned) |
| Lostmarc'h | Wild beach | 300 m | Geology, hiking, tranquillity | No |
| Goulien | Cove | 200 m | Snorkelling, tranquillity | No |
Getting to Crozon from Fouesnant
The Crozon peninsula is about 80 km from Fouesnant, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car. Two routes are possible: via Châteaulin on the D887 (the fastest) or via Douarnenez on the D765 (more scenic, with views over the bay). Either way, you arrive on the peninsula by crossing the Pont de Térénez over the River Aulne, a spectacular bridge in its own right.
By public transport, BreizhGo bus line 34 connects Quimper to Crozon-Morgat in about 1 hour 15 minutes. From Fouesnant, you first need to get to Quimper (BreizhGo bus line 55, 30 min). In summer, the service is increased with direct buses to the main beaches. More information at breizhgo.bzh.
Every beach has free car parks, but spaces are limited in July and August. For Morgat, the harbour car park is the most convenient. For the wilder beaches (Pen Hat, La Palue, Lostmarc'h), the unpaved car parks are small, so arrive before 10:00 AM in peak season.
Stay at Cap Coz to explore the Crozon peninsula
The Crozon peninsula makes a perfect day trip from our apartments at Cap Coz in Fouesnant. Set off in the morning and you have the whole day to explore the beaches and coastal paths, returning in the late afternoon to the sheltered bay of La Forêt.
Explore more beaches in southern Finistère
- Fouesnant beach guide (1h15 away)
- Trégunc beach guide (1h30 away)
- Concarneau beach guide (1h20 away)
- Things to do in Fouesnant
- Day trip to the Glénan Islands
