From Plouguerneau to Penmarc'h
I will take you in this Post on the road to the end of the world... Finally! the road to the end of the world of Europe :) The Pointe du Finistère in Brittany!! This trip will take us from Plouguerneau in the North to Penmarc'h in the South. On the way for this trip between fine sandy beaches, torn coasts and mythical lighthouses. First of all a small map to locate
Let's start our journey with the town of Plouguerneau. Facing out to sea, this town faces the English Channel and the many islets that form the Lilia archipelago. The best known, Île Vierge (1.5km offshore) has the tallest stone lighthouse in the world. From the top of these 82.5m, it is visible 50 km offshore. A piece of advice, come and visit it from April to October. You will have to climb the 365 steps to enjoy the exceptional view of the Abers and the Coast of the Wreckers.
But Plouguerneau is also inland, woods and meadows where more than 300 churches, chapels, calvaries "flower"... A religious heritage of great richness that has spanned time from the Neolithic to These days. Finally the Abers, the best known the Aber Wrac'h and the Aber Benoit, these estuaries which flow into the sea where the boats come to shelter from the fury of the storms. Favorite place for a bucolic walk and why not taste some oysters there?
Let's continue our journey 45kms further west. Le Conquet, port at the end of the world, the westernmost French city. Its position caused it to be invaded by the Normans and then the English who destroyed it in the 16th century... except for 8 houses!!. The best known, the "Maison des Seigneurs" on rue Aristide Briand is worth a short detour to admire its facade. But Le Conquet is also its famous fishing port. There are no less than 40 boats that make up the "Conquetoise" fleet. You can also go to the islands of Ouessant or Molène, unless you prefer a walk on the peninsula of Kermorvan and its lighthouse facing the city. To complete the overview of the activities possible in Le Conquet and for lovers of idleness or water sports... The beach of Blancs-Sablons will be the ideal place with its 2 km long.
Here we go again... A short visit to Brest and its Arsenal. And here we are after nearly 100kms and 1h30 drive on the Crozon peninsula, more exactly in Camaret sur Mer. We have left the English Channel and are facing the Atlantic Ocean, more precisely the Iroise Sea. The peninsula ends with 3 points, one to the north, one to the south, and one facing the ocean, where Camaret/Mer is located. Camaret/Mer is bordered by the Iroise Marine Natural Park. With a bit of luck, to the north from the tip of Grand Gouin you will see the Phare du Petit Minou on the other side of the passage.
To the west, facing the ocean, Pen Hat beach awaits you
Finally to the south, the tip of Pen Hir which for me is the most beautiful place in Camaret/sea. By taking the path that will lead you there, you will come across a succession of cliffs to finally arrive at the end of this point by a cliff that falls steeply into the ocean.
Let's leave Camaret/Mer and reach Plogoff still further south facing the Ile de Sein. Plogoff is not a place of passage, you really have to want to come there to get there. If you take the GR34 (customs officers' path) you will inevitably pass by this grandiose site that is the Pointe du Raz... In the distance, the Vieille lighthouse and the island of Sein. Plogoff is only 3 or 4 kilometers away. Visit Anse du Loch or Baie des Trépassés. Plogoff must be discovered in all seasons to realize the beauty of this unique place.
Let's end our journey by the tip of Penmarc'h. Who has not heard of the towns of Pont-L'Abbé, Guilvinec, Loctudy, Bénodet?... All these towns are a few kilometers from Penmarc'h. They smell like Brittany!! Pont-L'Abbé capital of Pays Bigouden, Guilvinec and its port, the beaches of Loctudy and Bénodet But there are also near Penmarc'h, the beaches of Tronoën and Pors Carn, the Pointe de la Torche and of course the Eckmühl lighthouse and its 65m high.
I hope you enjoyed this visit to the tip of Brittany. An initiatory journey for some, a rediscovery for others. A beautiful trip all in all and beautiful photos.