Nearby of Mer d'Iroise Campsite
What to See and Do in Southern Finistère?
The Finistère is a department in north-west France, located in the Brittany region. It is not the country's most popular tourist area, and yet it boasts breathtaking beauty and attracts many visitors every year! Between its beautiful beaches, endless hiking trails and impressive coastline, many activities await you. Here is an overview of everything you can discover in Finistère.
Go Hiking on the GR34 and Inland Trails
The Finistère department is crossed by numerous hiking routes. However, the best known and most appreciated by walkers remains the GR34, which stretches along nearly 1,800 km of the Breton coastline. If you would like to take on the adventure, this long trail will lead you through beaches, lakes and cliffs, wild coves, diverse towns and unique panoramic views. The GR34 starts in Southern Finistère. We recommend setting off with very good hiking shoes and all the equipment needed for hiking, so that you can progress safely. Some sections are more accessible than others.
Visit Quimper, Its Capital
Quimper is the capital of Finistère. We recommend its old town, its half-timbered houses and its charming streets with original names. Among the exceptional places to visit, we strongly recommend Saint-Corentin Cathedral, the Quimper Museum of Fine Arts, the Breton Departmental Museum, and the Stangala Gorges, with their wild and natural atmosphere by the water. During your trip through Finistère, don't hesitate to spend one or two days in Quimper; you won't regret it! An important point: our campsite is located halfway between Quimper and Brest, making it an ideal location if you decide to visit this city!
Enjoy a Wide Variety of Water Sports
As Finistère is largely bordered by the sea and the ocean, you have many opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of water sports. In particular, you can try coasteering, a new activity also known as "sea cliff canyoning", which allows you to discover the Breton coastline while having fun. This activity combines climbing, swimming, jumping into the water and abseiling. It is practised using safety equipment such as helmets, harnesses, sports shoes and a neoprene wetsuit. You can be introduced to this sport by qualified instructors on the Crozon Peninsula or on the Plouha cliffs.
Wakeboard centres are also available throughout Finistère. This outdoor and environmentally friendly activity allows you to enjoy beautiful scenery while remaining as quiet as possible. To discover board sports, we also recommend wave kayaking, suitable for all ages and levels, as well as Stand Up Paddle and the Paddle Stepper.
Finally, for those who would like to take to the air, we recommend trying Wing Foil, a clever combination of windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing. Here, you stand on a paddleboard that is shorter than traditional models and fitted with a hydrofoil. You hold a wing that allows you to lift off. Once again, schools with instructors are often available along the beaches.
The Océanopolis Aquarium in Brest
If you are visiting Northern Finistère, don't hesitate to stop in Brest. Not only will you discover a magnificent city, but also its huge Océanopolis aquarium. It is one of the largest aquariums in France and is home to more than 10,000 species waiting to be admired. You can also visit the National Maritime Museum, the Brest National Botanical Conservatory Garden, the Stang Alar Valley or Penfeld Park. Like Quimper, Brest is well worth a visit during your trip to Finistère. What's more, it is not far from our campsite, so there is no need to book additional accommodation.
Discover the Aquashow in Audierne
To stay in the marine and aquatic world, we recommend a visit to Audierne, a town in Southern Finistère. It is home to the Aquashow, an attraction we recommend for families wishing to discover the marine life of Brittany, as well as many impressive and fascinating aquariums. In addition, the Aquashow offers visitors a bird show featuring trained birds in a unique, fun and magical atmosphere. This show is just as enjoyable for adults as it is for children, while also teaching them many things about our feathered friends!
Go Hiking to Discover Menez-Hom
The Menez-Hom is one of the highest hills in Brittany, with its summit reaching 330 metres above sea level. Overlooking Douarnenez Bay, it offers magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes of Finistère. Several trails lead to the summit, including an easy route accessible to all levels. However, for experienced hikers and paragliders, there are also more challenging routes that provide a greater adventure!
The Menez-Hom hill is a protected site overlooking the Brittany region. It is also steeped in Celtic history, as it was once a place of religious worship. Ancient rituals were performed here, as evidenced by the megaliths and stone piles built several centuries ago.
Visit Locronan, One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France
Locronan is a small town in Finistère listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" and the "Petites Cités de Caractère®" (a distinction created in the 1970s to highlight remarkable towns). It is distinguished by its beautiful houses surrounding a pleasant central square. Discover its remarkable religious buildings dating back to the 15th century, including the Church of Saint Ronan, founded by the Dukes of Brittany. Locronan is also famous for hosting the filming of many movies, including "Tess" (1979) by Roman Polanski and "A Very Long Engagement" (2003) by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The town also organises themed guided tours called "Locronan and Cinema", available all year round and bookable directly through the local tourist office.
Discover the Town of Douarnenez
Douarnenez is a charming seaside town. It welcomes you with its delightful cobbled streets and its four different harbours. The quays are lively, always bustling with locals and visitors, and provide access to many workshops and fishermen's houses. Wander through the streets in search of excellent restaurants or souvenir shops, and soak up the charming atmosphere of this lovely town.
Among the activities we recommend are: visiting the Port-Museum, taking a walk on Ris Beach or White Sands Beach, visiting the Saint Herle Church of Ploare or the Iroise Gallery. Clearly, there is plenty to do if you decide to stop in Douarnenez during your visit to Finistère. It is the town closest to our campsite!
Discover Breton Gastronomy
Brittany is a true centre of French gastronomy, enriched by its own historical heritage. Of course, you will find the famous Breton crêpes and galettes, which are at their very best in Finistère, but you will also discover the expertise behind oysters and scallops. We are right by the sea and the ocean! Breton gastronomy therefore revolves largely around seafood and fish.
Stay at Mer d'Iroise Campsite During Your Trip
If you are visiting Finistère, you will probably want to find a pleasant place to stay. The 4-star Mer d'Iroise Campsite in Plomodiern is ideally located for hiking and water sports. It also has a lovely water park that both children and adults will enjoy! Many other services are also available for all our guests. To find out more, don't hesitate to contact us by email or telephone. We are committed to replying as quickly as possible!