I am delighted to take you on a tour of the most beautiful spots and things to do on the Crozon Peninsula in Brittany! I love its emerald coves, its tranquility, and its colorful skies, so I absolutely wanted to show you the Crozon Peninsula for this very first episode in Brittany!
A wild piece of land shaped like a rooster’s foot, the peninsula is located south of the harbor of Brest, in the heart of the Armorique Regional Nature Park.
I’m sure you’ll love as much as I do its end-of-the-world feel, plunging headlong into the Atlantic! So if you’re wondering what to do on the Crozon Peninsula, what to visit in Crozon… Let me take you on a tour of the most beautiful things to do on the Crozon peninsula… Let’s go!
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOTS ON THE CROZON PENINSULA
How to get to Crozon Peninsula?
The Crozon peninsula is located just across the Brest harbor. By car, Crozon is 50 minutes from Brest and Quimper.
By train, Brest is 2 hours from Rennes and 3.5 hours from Paris. You will then need a car to get around the peninsula.
Compare car rentals to find the best price!
Where to stay on the Crozon Peninsula?
There are many places to stay on the Crozon peninsula, but few hotels. You will mainly find guesthouses or private apartments. Here are a few suggestions for accommodation!
3 recommended accommodations to stay in on the Crozon Peninsula
L’ÎLE Ô DES CAPUCINS
- Beautiful guesthouse
- Typical house
- From80€
HÔTEL DE LA BAIE
- In Morgat
- Beautiful sea view
- From 80€
THALASSA HÔTEL & SPA
- With a pool and a spa !
- In Camaret sur Mer
- From 90€
Organize your time to visit the Crozon Peninsula
You can see several sites in one day, but a weekend is better for exploring the entire Crozon Peninsula! Getting around the peninsula takes a little time, as the roads are winding. However, you can also enjoy the scenery while driving, as everything is beautiful!
What to bring back from the Crozon Peninsula?
Brittany is rich in local products! You should therefore have no trouble finding something to treat yourself to during your visit to the Crozon Peninsula… Head to the Camaret biscuit factory, where you will find various nautical-themed souvenirs and delicious Breton specialties.
Seafood for savory treats, different ciders to drink (and even Breton whiskey!)… And for something sweet, don’t miss the famous kouign-amann! You can also try palets bretons, salted butter caramel treats, crakous, and more. Bon appétit!
1. THE PORT OF CAMARET, ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON THE CROZON PENINSULA
The first stop on this tour of the Crozon Peninsula is Camaret-sur-Mer! Camaret is a charming village typical of the Brittany coast, with gray stone houses facing the sea, a lovely little port, and delicious crêperies.
At low tide, some boats resting on their keels look like they’re stranded, while others are lucky enough to still have their feet in the water. This is the setting for the port of Camaret, surrounded on one side by a row of colorful houses that quietly watch the little white boats lined up in front of them. On the other side, let’s take a stroll along the long pier…
I really love this place with its old colorful boats, some of which are in ruins. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful spots on the Crozon Peninsula! Their hulls are stained by rust and the passing years, but they’ve retained all their charm! A few steps further on stand the chapel and the Vauban tower. And this isn’t just any tower! For 300 years, it has watched over Camaret Cove and the Brest channel, a strategic point on the Atlantic coast.
Right next door, the pretty Notre Dame de Rocamadour chapel (a nod to this pretty town in the Lot) turns orange in the sunlight. It faces the water and pays homage to the ocean and its sailors inside, where boats sail across the vaulted ceiling. Everything here reminds you of the ocean… And that’s certainly what gives this authentic and charming peninsula its natural feel.
2. PEN-HAT BEACH, ONE OF MY FAVORITE CROZON PENINSULA BEACHES
Let’s get a closer look at the ocean on my favorite beach on the peninsula: Pen-Hat Beach. Located in the town of Camaret, it seems huge at low tide. Only the sound of the waves breaks the calm of this beach, which has a relaxing and wild atmosphere…
Its turquoise and emerald waters are jealously guarded on either side by tall, beautiful cliffs. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the Crozon Peninsula!
3. THE MEGALITHIC ALIGNMENTS OF LAGATJAR
From Pen-Hat beach, we now head towards the Pointe de Pen-Hir. Several stops will take us back in time!
First, let’s discover one of the must-see sites if you visit the Crozon Peninsula: the megaliths of Lagatjar. These curious alignments of menhirs are reminiscent of those in Carnac, also in Brittany. They date back to 2,500 BC! Only around a hundred remain today, but the sight is still breathtaking. With the low-angled light, the site is imbued with a certain magic. You could almost imagine a fairy-tale place where supernatural beings gather on full moon nights…
4. THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC MEMORIAL
A few meters further on, a second stop will take us back in time, but a little less far this time! The memorial commemorates the Battle of the Atlantic through a museum and former blockhouses. It must be said that the geography of the site was particularly suited to the construction of the Atlantic Wall.
You can stroll through these concrete structures, partly covered with vegetation, with a bird’s eye view of the almost turquoise ocean below. It is also the best view of the magnificent Pen-Hat beach that we have just discovered together.
5. THE PEN-HIR PENINSULA
This is definitely the place on the Crozon peninsula where you will feel most like you are at the end of the world. The Pointe de Pen-Hir is a gift from nature, battered by sea spray and Breton squalls. It juts out proudly into the ocean from the top of its steep, rugged cliffs.
Offshore, you will see the “tas de pois” (pea piles), small isolated rocks that seem to have been scattered by the point. I particularly like this kind of place where you feel alone facing the immensity of the ocean. Nature reigns supreme here and nothing seems to be able to spoil the moment.
6. L’ÎLE VIERGE : ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON THE CROZON PENINSULA
A lost paradise known for its emerald waters, this unspoiled beach is sure to charm you, whatever the weather. To get there, you have to walk about 20 minutes through yellow broom bushes. It is no longer possible to walk down the path that leads to the tip of the island or to access the beach from the sea.
Nevertheless, the view from the path is breathtaking!
Rain threatened, but as soon as we emerged from the broom forest, we were immediately enchanted! As soon as you reach the seaside, the view is sublime, and you can’t wait to explore this colorful little piece of land. I loved this point covered with pine trees, with its small cave that is flooded by the waves depending on the tide (it is therefore no longer accessible).
You can also take the coastal path to explore the surrounding area and its emerald coves when the sun shines on them.
On the other side of the point, you can also take a look at the “Château de Dinan,” which is not a castle at all but rather a very pretty site by the sea. Its natural arch connecting the islet to the sea is definitely worth a visit if you have time!
7. THE ROSCANVEL PENINSULA
Finally, let’s discover the last major point at the tip of the Crozon peninsula: Roscanvel. Its location has always been strategic, as it closes off the Brest channel, the entrance to one of the most important military ports in France! It is therefore no coincidence that numerous fortifications remain there.
I particularly recommend visiting theFort des Capucins, built on the island of the same name. The site is truly exceptional, even if entry is theoretically prohibited.
Don’t hesitate to take a stroll around the Roscanvel peninsula: in summer, the heather covers the moors and the landscapes are magnificent! You can go as far as the Pointe des Espagnols, which offers a superb view of the Goulet de Brest and the harbor.
EXPLORE THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE CROZON PENINSULA
Landévennec (15 minutes from Crozon): located at the entrance to the Crozon peninsula, this small village is known for the ruins of its abbey and its military ship graveyard!
Locronan (35 minutes from Crozon): a magnificent little village full of character, Locronan is a picture-postcard image of Brittany! The village is listed as one of the “most beautiful villages in France” thanks to its beautiful granite houses and old buildings dating back to when it was the capital of the sailcloth industry!
Douarnenez (40 minutes from Crozon): Douarnenez is a pleasant little fishing port where it’s so nice to stroll around… With its port museum, pretty beaches, and Tristan Island, the town is sure to charm you!
Sizun (40 minutes): located in the heart of the Armorique Natural Park, the village will delight heritage lovers with its magnificent parish enclosure.
Brest and its surroundings (50 min): Although the city of Brest, almost entirely rebuilt after World War II, does not have much charm, its surroundings are full of beautiful places to visit. Don’t hesitate to check out my article dedicated to places to visit the Brest region!
Ouessant (2 hours by boat): the westernmost island is a small wild paradise not to be missed if you come to the region. Read my article to spend two days on the island of Ouessant. Direct connections are available from Camaret in summer.
Coming soon on La Marinière en Voyage…
In my next articles, I’ll take you to Lille, to the Bassin d’Arcachon in Nouvelle Aquitaine, and then to Alsace! So don’t miss a thing, subscribe to the newsletter!
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