At the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, Finistère lives up to its name (“End of the Earth”) and offers you an exceptional journey to the end of the world. This department of Brittany is a rare gem for lovers of coastal landscapes. Whether you’re accompanied by its legendary sea breeze or under a bright sun, you’ll have the privilege of discovering breathtaking natural sites.
The assets of North Finistère
- Exceptional landscapes and natural sites at the tip of North Finistère
Our campsite, Camping du Goulet, in Brest is ideally located for strolling along our beautiful Breton coastline, starting with direct access to the hiking trail (GR34) just 500m away.
Your walking tour will take you to the small fishing port of Maison Blanche, the beach of Sainte Anne du Portzic and the Belvedere with its breathtaking view over the Rade de Brest.
Do you prefer to relax and sunbathe on the beach? Don’t worry, there are several beaches within a few kilometers of your campsite, the first of which is Sainte Anne du Portzic beach, just 1.2 kilometers away. The beaches of Tregana, Porsmilin and Trez hir, around ten kilometers from Brest, will also delight you with their south-facing aspect and turquoise waters surrounded by rocks.
A little further north in Finistère, a number of beaches are available for a relaxing break on fine sand, including the plage des blancs sablons in Le Conquet, the plage de Porsévigné in Plouarzel and the plage des trois moutons in Lampaul-Ploudalmézeau.
Do you prefer nature walks? Discover magnificent natural sites in North Finistère. Don’t miss Pointe Saint Mathieu and Pointe de Kermorvan, just a few kilometers from your campsite, where you’ll enjoy exceptional scenery in the Iroise Marine Park. A little further north, discover the Abers, where you’ll find a treasure trove of greenery and splendid views over the Atlantic and the English Channel. Walk along the Abers, Wrach, Ildut and Benoit rivers and enjoy an iodized hike in the fresh air between land and sea.
Walks in the heart of the dunes are just one of the many activities you can enjoy during your stay in North Finistère. Sand in your shoes, yes (that’s for sure!), but it’s also an opportunity to learn more about Brittany’s coastline, its lush vegetation and its protection!
And for zero-waste walks, remember to take a small garbage can bag with you and pick up any garbage you find along your discoveries!
- Many sites to discover
Brest, whose Breton name Beg ar Rest means “the tip of the castle”, has a maritime and cultural past that we invite you to discover during your stay in North Finistère.
Here are the must-see places in the Ponant city to learn more about its history:
- Le château de Brest: Now home to the Musée national de la Marine, this medieval fortress bears witness to Brest’s maritime and military past.
- La Tour Tanguy: Built in the 14th century as a sentinel over the Penfeld, it now houses Jim Sévellec’s dioramas.
- La Maison de la Fontaine: One of Brest’s oldest remains (late 17th, early 18th century).
- Fort Montbarey: Fort Montbarey is a fortified structure built between 1776 and 1784 to the west of Brest.
- The Garden of Explorers: its history began in 1694, and it is home to plants from all over the world. It’s an original way to (re)discover the city’s maritime past.
Twenty kilometers from the campsite, plunge into the heart of history at Plougonvelin, with a visit to the Musée Mémoire 39-45. Step back in time in this exceptional German command blockhouse and relive the history of the war in Brittany, told by those who lived it.
In Finistère, there was another war. Do you know it? The “steeple war”! Between the Bay of Morlaix and the Bay of Brest, each village competes with its own church and parish enclosure, each more imposing than the last. Be amazed by these masterpieces, where religion and Breton legends come together in spectacular monuments! The most remarkable are those at Lampaul-Guimilau, Guimilau and Saint-Thégonnec.
North Finistère also boasts a number of museums. Start with the Musée National de la Marine in Brest for the historical side, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts for the cultural side. A little further south of Brest, in Plougastel, take the time to visit the Musée de la Fraise et du Patrimoine, and discover what is known here as “L’or rouge”, the excellent fruit of North Finistère, and, thanks to some sixty mannequins dressed in authentic costumes, you can admire the beauty and richness of fashion in Plougastel, from 1820 to the present day.
In Saint-Renan, in northern Finistère, visit the Musée du Ponant, where the team will be delighted to share the town’s beautiful cultural and heritage heritage with you. In Lesneven, an unusual little museum awaits you, housed in the chapel of the Ursuline convent, the Musée du Léon. The ideal place to take part in local history.
Activities in North Finistère
- Day trips
is ideally located for sightseeing and offers a variety of day trips.
A day in Brest:
On foot, by bike, by bus or by car, discover the city of Ponant for a day. Just 6km from the campsite, the town is easily accessible.
Your day :
- Château de Brest and Tour Tanguy,
- Les Ateliers des Capucins: take the urban cable car, enjoy the magnificent view over Brest and its harbor and enter the workshops. Formerly a convent, then used by the French Navy, the Ateliers des Capucins are unique in Brest. Today, it’s the largest covered public space in Europe,
- Le Vallon du Stang-Alar: Brest’s national botanical conservatory is the perfect place for a nature walk,
- The Marina du Château and the commercial port.
Heading west! We recommend a simple itinerary of around 25 km. Take the road to Pointe Saint Mathieu.
- Le petit minou lighthouse: the first stop 15 minutes from Brest, the Petit Minou lighthouse will amaze you with its exceptional location in the harbor overlooking the Crozon peninsula,
- Fort de Bertheaume: A must-see in the region, take an iodized break at Fort de Bertheaume and enjoy a magnificent view of the Goulet of Brest, set on a rocky islet,
- Musée mémoire 39-45: Just before arriving at the Pointe Saint Mathieu site, take the time to visit this incredible museum, which will take you back in time in this former German command blockhouse,
- Pointe Saint Mathieu: you’re there! The last, but not least, stage of your superb day. A magical place facing the sea, with its emblematic lighthouse and magnificent ruined abbey dating back to the 11th century.
If you still have time, drive a few kilometers north to visit the pretty, typical village of Le Conquet, with its fishing port and cobbled streets.
Another great suggestion for an excursion is to be found on the north coast of Finistère.
Depart for the Côte des Légendes, 45 km from your campsite. Objective: discover the Meneham site and the beauty of the rocky North Finistère coastline.
- Plouguerneau, the museum of seaweed and seaweed: seaweed has extraordinary virtues and is used in a huge number of everyday products. Harvested for centuries by seaweed growers, discover the history of this astonishing plant from our oceans.
- Ile Vierge lighthouse: Explore the coastline and marvel at Europe’s highest lighthouse (82.5m)!
- Meneham site: In an exceptional natural environment, facing the sea and the rocks, take a step back in time and discover an extraordinary heritage. Its village of thatched cottages and craftsmen make it an exciting place to visit in North Finistère.
- A breath of fresh air in Plounéour-Trez: Enjoy unique sensations at the Plouneour Trez nautical center, where you can try out sand yachting, alone or in pairs.
A day on the Crozon peninsula, a unique area of North Finistère with breathtaking scenery. Set off from the campsite and you’ll be there in just 1 hour! Criss-cross the roads of the peninsula, stopping whenever you feel like it – every place is worth a visit. Start with the Pointe de Pen Ar Vir, then the bay of Roscanvel and the Pointe des Espagnols, from where you’ll have a magnificent view of Brest and its harbor. Continue on to Camaret-sur-mer and the Pointe de Pen Hir with its unique piles of peas! Head down to Cap de la chèvre, then Morgat and its cove, renowned as an ideal surfing spot in Brittany. Your road trip continues on to Crozon, then the cliffs of Guern, ending at Telgruc-sur-Mer, a pretty little village with a beautiful beach to the south.
